Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Launched at the 1953 Earls Court Show, the AC Ace attracted immense interest not only for its superb lines but also for it being one of only two production cars then available with all independent suspension. It was also a sports car in the best of British tradition, capable of 103mph and 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds. 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 reliability was suspect and at Rudd's suggestion Bristol's 1,971cc straight six was substituted for the AC unit in 1956.
The result was a 125bh