Lot 305: 2001 AC Brooklands Aceca

The modern AC Ace, a graceful, high performance, all metal two seater which was designed to compete head on with the products of Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, has had one of the longest gestation periods of any car. Conceived and initially put into limited pre-production some years ago by AC's then owners, the Ace was completely re-engineered by AC Car Group after it acquired the business in late 1996. Designed and developed entirely in Great Britain, the Ace reflected its AC pedigree with a unique combination of bespoke bodywork in the English tradition, a large V8 engine and a distinctive pressed aluminium body. Three engine options were available for this soft top convertible ranging in price from under £70,000 to almost £80,000: a 240bhp 5.0 litre V8, a 32 valve quadruple camshaft 5.0 litre V8 developing 320bhp and a supercharged 320bhp 5.0 litre. Assembled on behalf of AC in Coventry, the car is capable of electrifying performance - zero to 60mph in 5.7 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph. Ace owners are offered a full specification car with powered hood, full hide interior, air conditioning and a host of other advanced features, including Philips' latest in-car entertainment centre. AC was Britain's longest surviving automotive manufacturer and employed more than 50 people at its headquarters at Brooklands in Surrey. The Ace started life in the 1980s when the then AC company recognised that it needed to broaden its model range. Several prototypes were developed and, many millions of pounds later, the Ace was shown at a number of motor shows in 1994. It is believed that some 59 cars were produced. Much rarer still is the Brooklands Aceca, of which only three examples were produced in 2001. This very car, chassis number DE1100, was built for none other than the owner of AC cars, Mr Alan Lubinsky, at a colossal cost of some £250,000. Luckily this car was away being painted at the time of the devastating fire which destroyed most of the body bucks at the factory. The impressive specification of this very rare car from the oldest British car maker includes a composite body and an all-alloy quad-camshaft Cobra engine which transmits power through a five speed Tremec gearbox to the 18 inch alloys. Adequate performance is guaranteed. Notably, the car was invited to the Brooklands Centenary in June 2007 by AC Heritage as part of its display of cars and it performed five demonstration laps of the Mercedes-Benz World track. The owner, who also owns the original prototype, informs us that he is able to supply 95 per cent of the parts necessary to keep the car running for years, as well as the buck for the main body tub, spare doors and glass. This rare and important piece of British automotive history has never been registered and is offered with a certificate of newness from AC Cars, an SVA certificate and factory authentication. Attractively finished in light metallic green with a contrasting red leather interior, this represents a unique chance to own a very special car indeed from Britain's most venerable car manufacturer.