1958 AC Ace Bristol

The AC Ace first appeared at Earls Court in 1953 and epitomised a new era of British post-war sports car production. The owners of AC, Charles and Derek Hurlock, along with AC agent, Ken Rudd, transformed the company's reputation by taking a racing special and putting it into production, with notable influence from Italian styled sports cars of the era. The result was a car that delivered both on the road and on the track thanks to the input of racing chassis designer John Tojeiro. Tojerio employed the same simple tubular ladder-type chassis with aluminium body as used on his earlier specials. However, the Ace boasted all-round independent suspension by transverse springs (the first British sports car to do so), which ensured superb handling with minimal body roll and plenty of feedback. Such was the success of the Ace chassis, it became the foundation for the mighty Shelby Cobras with over three times the power of the original 105bhp Weller-designed six-cylinder engine. The outdated AC unit eventually made way for the more refined Bristol straight-six, which had evolved from the pre-war BMW 328. The Bristol engine was far more suited to racing, as demonstrated with some success by Cooper, and in standard form developed 128bhp at 6000rpm. Consequently, it is the Bristol engined Ace that is most sought after by collectors.

The Ace Bristol enjoyed significant competition success being campaigned by enthusiastic club racers, private owners and most famously by the Ken Rudd team at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958. Ace Bristols ran successfully at Le Mans from 1957 to 1962 by various entrants. However, it was on a domestic club level where Ace Bristols earned their reputation as supreme racing machines.

'50 FPF' was campaigned in period by its first owner Eddie Searle and featured on the April 1959 Autosport front cover. A very well-known car to the AC Owner's Club, it features in the "Ace Bristol Racing' book and won three races at Silverstone in 1958 and 1959. A journalist in the May 1959 edition of Autosport Magazine reporting from the Silverstone 200 mile meeting stated: "So far as the leader went the issue was never in doubt, for E. Searle's Ace-Bristol took the lead in the first lap, drew steadily away from the field to the tune of eight seconds by lap three and thereafter motored home in almost leisurely manner". '50 FPF' also took part in the May 1958 Scottish Rally, 1958 Brighton Speed Trials, 1959 Taunton Autocross, a meeting at Goodwood (where unfortunately the car did not start) and many other club events.

In 1973 the car was bought by Michael Doland and a three year restoration was commissioned with an engine rebuild by Ken Rogers. Mr Doland used the car on the road until it was sold to Hexagon BMW owner and well known collector, Paul Michaels, in 1986. An extensive body, drivetrain and suspension restoration was started with the coachwork taken back to bare aluminium and finished in dark blue. Photographs and invoices from Hexagon detailing the restoration can be found within the history file. In 1993, '50 FPF' was bought by Cecil Hendy who owned the Ace until its current owner bought it ten years later in 2003. Numerous works have been completed since, including an engine rebuild and new exhaust system by Ian Nuthall in 2004. Since its mechanical recommissioning, '50 FPF' has been enjoyed on the road but could easily be brought back to relive its glorious competition history.

Having featured in a number of prominent collections through the years, this highly original Ace is presented in very good order. The paintwork shows only minor isolated blemishes and the interior is trimmed in turquoise leather which appears pleasantly patinated. However, the overall condition of the car is in-keeping with the owners demand for a useable Ace-Bristol that, although not in concours condition, is mechanically sorted and boasts a fascinating history from new.