Coys Auction - Spring Classics
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Estimate: £120,000 - £140,000
Registration Number: EU Taxes Paid
Chassis Number: AEX1079
As soon as it was launched at the 1953 Earls Court Show, the AC Ace attracted immense interest not only for its superb lines but also for being one of only two production cars then available with all independent suspension.
A sports car in the best British tradition, it was capable of 103mph and 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds, quite remarkable figures for the time. Despite a relatively high price, the Ace proved popular when production began in 1954, its appeal further increased by works competition results that included 11th overall and a class win on the Tulip Rally the following year.
An Ace was also campaigned to great effect by Ken Rudd whose Ruddspeed concern had coaxed 100bhp from the two litre engine (by which time the standard Ace was producing 90bhp); thus tuned, however, its reliabi