Vehicle Description
AC Cars Ltd. has a long and illustrious tradition of building some
of Britain's most memorable sporting cars. Founded in 1908, the
company first made utility vehicles delivery and trade under the
"Auto Carriers" banner. Around 1920, new management arrived and
reorganized the company as they shifted focus to become serious
manufacturers of quality sporting cars. Racing and record-breaking
became a priority, and the achievements quickly followed, with AC
scoring the first ever British victory in the 1926 Monte Carlo
Rally. A series of sporting saloons and touring cars sustained AC
until the outbreak of World War II when wartime contracts made AC a
handy profit. By the early 1950s, sales of their saloon cars began
to fall, and management decided a new direction was needed to keep
AC Cars relevant. The company hired a talented young designer named
John Tojeiro to design a new sports car around AC's venerable
inline-six. Tojeiro caught the attention of AC after word got out
about the exquisite sports racing cars he built in a rented garage
near the AC factory. For the new road car, he applied his racing
experience, equipping the car with four-wheel independent
suspension and a twin-tube chassis. First shown at the 1953 Earls
Court Motor Show, the Ace was a beautiful little two-seat roadster
that held the distinction of being Britain's first all-independent
suspension sports car. The venerable overhead cam AC 1,991 cc
inline six was standard. Production began in 1954, and buyers
relished in the Ace's sublime handling and 100mph performance. In
1956, the highly regarded 1,971-cc Bristol six became available,
upgrading the standard Ace to Ace-Bristol specification. This
high-revving, state-of-the-art power unit initially produced 125
bhp at 5,750 rpm, which rose to 128 hp in its ultimate D2
specification, care of increased compression from 8.5:1 to 9:1. The
engine could trace its origins back to BMW's advanced pre-war 328
design, which helped make it successful in racing well into the
1960s. Bristol-powered Aces were brilliant in competition, winning
three successive SCCA E-Production Championships between 1957 and
1959, followed by D-Production Championship in 1960 and
C-Production Championship in 1961. The Ace-Bristol also scored very
well at Le Mans, where it finished 2nd in class in 1957 and 1958
and achieved a sterling class victory and 7th overall in 1959. This
performance no doubt left an impression on 1959 Le Mans winner
Carroll Shelby, who later created his own 289 and 427 Shelby Cobra
derivatives based on the classic AC Ace. This beautiful 1956
example was purchased from a British sports car collector in
Philadelphia, following a number of years in storage. The car has
benefitted from a no-expense-spared, ground-up restoration. During
the four-year restoration completed in 2018, great attention was
paid to utilizing factory-correct parts and finishes. Today, the
car is presented in the stunning shade of Aston Martin Almond
Green, a refined and period-appropriate shade that accentuates the
car's flowing lines. Chrome 16-inch Turrino wire wheels, complete
with AC knock-off hubs, wear newer period-correct tires, enhancing
both aesthetics and handling. The interior has been fully restored
in Andes Green leather, sourced from Spinneybeck to ensure
authenticity and craftsmanship. Complementing the upholstery is a
new set of Wilton wool carpets, further enhancing the car's
luxurious feel. Weather protection comes via an Everflex
convertible top with matching side curtains, and the car also
includes a tonneau cover for added versatility during events or
storage. Under the hood, this example is powered by the Bristol
six-cylinder engine, renowned for its race-winning pedigree. The
engine has been freshly rebuilt with performance in mind and has
less than 500 miles since the build. During the rebuild, the block
was bored .010 over, fitted with Wiseco billet pistons, INRacing
fast road camshaft with oversize cam bearings, 7mm stainless valves
with titanium retainers, and a WOSP starter. After completion, the
engine was dyno tested at 140 horsepower. Paired with a four-speed
manual transmission, the engine provides exhilarating performance,
with a high-revving character and exceptional responsiveness. The
braking has also been upgraded with discs up front, a popular mod
in period. The engine bay reflects the same high standard of
restoration, featuring correct finishes and period-authentic
detailing. The interior has been freshly appointed in Andes Green
leather, sourced from Spinneybeck. Period-correct Wilton wool was
sourced for the carpet. Protection from the elements is provided by
either an Everflex convertible top with side curtains or tonneau
cover. The Ace-Bristol is accompanied by a tool roll, original jack
with rods, a full-size spare and restoration receipts. One of only
463 Ace-Bristols produced between 1954 and 1963, this example
stands as one of the finest restored examples available today,
embodying the perfect blend of performance, style, and usability.
The car's superb restoration ensures it is ready for concours
display or competitive driving events. Its eligibility for
prestigious events such as the Colorado Grand, Tour Auto, and Targa
Florio underscores its versatility and desirability. With its
Italian-inspired design, competitive history, and practical
usability, this Ace-Bristol offers a unique opportunity for the
discerning collector to acquire a meticulously restored,
historically significant sports car. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7792-1956-ac-bristol-roadster/
