AC Ace

The AC Ace was first manufactured in 1953 as a direct replacement for the ageing 2-Litre, a car launched in 1947 with an engine that first appeared in 1925 boasting similarly aged styling. The 2-Litre looked increasingly out of date in post-war Britain, so a far more elegant car had to take its place.

Chassis were still fairly basic at the time of the Ace's conception, so the company recruited John Tojeiro to design something that would make the Ace fairly unique. The basic frame was modelled on the BMW 328 with large diameter twin tubes, attached to an independent front suspension unit that used transverse leaf springs with the lower wishbones; the same system was also used in the rear of the car.

The body was aluminium, moulded around small diameter tubes, giving it a great likeness to the Ferrari Barchetta - winner of the first ever post-war Le Mans 24-hour race in 1949. The Ace was also raced at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958.

The 2-Litre's 2.0 litre, 6 cylinder engine was installed in the Ace, despite its age, giving relatively good performance for a 1950s car - 85bhp, 100mph top speed and 0-60mph in 12 seconds. This was chiefly due to the three SU carburettors that were added to the engine and its lack of weight - it only weighed 760kg. 

Although this gave good performance, AC would need to make it even faster if they wanted to retain its desirability. From 1956 a customer could choose to have Bristol Cars' 120bhp 2.0 litre 6 cylinder engine fitted instead of the AC unit with 3 downdraught carburettors and a four speed manual gearbox. This increased the top speed to 116mph and reduced the 0-60 time to around 9 seconds. 

This option was later replaced in 1962 with the 2.6 litre 6 cylinder 'Ruddspeed' engine, adapted from the Ford Zephyr. It still used 3 carburettors - either Weber or SU with a 'Mays' or iron cast head, but only 40 were made due to Carol Shelby's interest in the Cobra. The Ford engined cars were not only faster still but also had smaller grilles than the earlier cars. 

Overdrive was available as an option from 1956 onwards and front disc brakes were also added in 1957, later becoming standardised. The Ace was successful in competition due to its weight distribution, good handling and light weight overall, with two Aces built for professional racing driver Cliff Davis. In 1953, at the wheel of the Bristol engined Ace he took 16 wins and 14 second places, allowing him to race in the Brooklands Memorial Trophy.

Specifications

Engine: 6-cyl, 2.0 litre / 6-cyl, 2.6 litre

Horsepower: 85bhp / 120bhp

Transmission: 4 speed manual

Chassis: Twin tube frame with independent suspension all round

Brakes: Drum / Disc option

Top Speed: 100mph / 116mph

0-60mph: 12 seconds / 9 seconds