Lot 429: 1959 AC Aceca Bristol 100D2

During the fifties the genius of race chassis designer John Tojeiro caught the attention of many. Among the many was Ernest Bailey, in charge of Buckland Body Works which supplied bodies to AC: it was he who prompted AC to enlist the aid of Tojeiro in designing a sports car to boost sales of the marque. The creation was the Ace, which first appeared at Earls Court in 1953. The Ace had a simple tubular ladder-type chassis with all-round independent suspension by transverse springs - the first British sports car to be thus equipped. Fitted to the chassis was the famous Weller-designed six-cylinder engine, now producing 105bhp at 4,750rpm and giving a top speed of 105mph. The unladen weight was only 16.5cwt and the roadholding and handling were of a very high order - one contemporary road test said that all who drove the car were enraptured with its responsive handling! The car could easily out-pace many of its bigger rivals and soon established an enviable reputation in sporting events all over the world. The Ace 'Ferrari-style' open two-seater was followed in 1954 by the Aceca coup, a beautifully-proportioned early example of a GT type body. The Ace line eventually became the Cobra, the chassis being able to handle more than three times the power for which it was first designed. This sprightly car presented here today has a delightful patina achieved after many years of honest driving. It has been owned for the last 16 years by the same owner after being bought as the first lot in the first auction of the now- no-longer Brooks auctioneers for over 42,000. Forming part of a once large collection of cars, this rare 2 litre Bristol engined coupe has had various remedial works undertaken over the years including a carburettor rebuild in the early 1990's and more recently, a new fuel pump and battery. She comes complete with a full years MoT, workshop (photocopy) and owners manuals. She drives well, the position is good behind the wheel and once the revs are up, the performance to effort ratio grows exponentially. Hustling this most attractive of coupes through the Hampshire countryside was a indeed a delight.