1960 AC Ace-Bristol – Period SCCA Entrant

History

This original AC Ace-Bristol was constructed by AC Cars Ltd of Thames Ditton, Surrey and left the factory on 27^th June 1960, destined for export to the USA, originally finished in Black Pearl coachwork with Red leather hide, hood and tonneau

Built from new with left hand drive steering and desirable Bristol ‘100D2’ engine, the Ace landed in the USA with its supplying dealer Foreign Cars of Rockland, New York and was sold on June 27^th 1960 to the first owner, Mr Ronald.G.Kistler, resident of Quakertown, Pasadena, California

Kistler lived right in the heart of the ‘Socal’ racing scene and was a keen amateur driver, as such he entered the Ace in a number of Sports Car Club Of America (SCCA) events between 1961-1963 outlined below

1961 SCCA Events

7^th May – SCCA Regional Vineyard (BP+CD+DP) 5^th

14^th May – SCCA National Cumberland (BP+CP) 11^th

20^th August – 4 Hours Vineland 1^st

23^rd September – SCCA Watkins Glen (CP) 7^th

1962 SCCA Events

6^th May – SCCA Regional Vineland (AP+CP+DP) 4^th

 13^th May – SCCA National Cumberland (CP) 5^th

21^st October – SCCA Regional Reading (CP+DP) DNA

1963 SCCA Events

21^st April – SCCA Divisional Vineland (AP+BP+CP) 3^rd

9^th June – SCCA Divisional Vineland (AP+BP+CP+DP) Result unknown

10^th November- SCCA Divisional Marlboro (AP+BP+CP) 7^th

The Ace was then sold to Paulding Chichester c1988 (we are unsure if there were any owners in between Kistler and Chichester) and was later sold to AC enthusiast Ray Thompson, PA, who commissioned a restoration in the early 1990s

Acquired by Kirk.F.White, the well-known Ferraristi, whose competition career began with drag racing a supercharged Ford Thunderbird in the early sixties. Mr White is perhaps best known as the owner/entrant of the 1971 ‘Penske-Donohue’ Ferrari 512 sports racing car, as well as owning and racing a 365 GTB/4 Competition Daytona in period and having a 250 GTO in his stable!

The Ace then changed hands in 2000 with Connecticut broker Matt De Garmo via restorers Vintage Racing Services of Stratford, CT, to a Mr Henry Miller, with numerous service invoices held on file from VRS during that period

By 2005 the Ace had been repatriated to the UK via AC Ace specialist Mike Abbas, and was sold to a Mr Steven Young, who commissioned a full engine rebuild to fast road specification by expert race preparers and Bristol engine specialists IN Racing. In addition to the engine rebuild, an overdrive system was fitted to the gearbox to allow for comfortable high-speed cruising and new exhaust system fitted, which we can confirm creates a intoxicating and raspy note, the perfect outlet for the powerful high revving six cylinder Bristol motor

The Ace then joined the private collection of Peter Lovett in 2007, head of respected motor group Dick Lovett, and remained with him for the following nine years, during which time he and his wife enjoyed numerous successful touring events across Europe and the USA behind the wheel of the AC

In 2016 the Ace was sold to Mr Allen, a private UK based collector, who entrusted marque specialists Redline Engineering to maintain and improve the car on his behalf. During his ownership the Ace benefitted from significant improvement that included a full suspension and steering rebuild, fitment of a hi torque starter motor, new Willans seat harnesses, new MWS outer laced competition wire wheels shod with Avon tires, full brake system rebuild, new driveshafts and various other improvements, all invoices retained on file

Over the course of 2020, a full bare metal body restoration and repaint was completed by marque specialists Mitchell Motors to concours standards, fully documented with photos and invoices, resulting in one of the best presented AC Ace-Bristol’s on the planet

Finished in unmarked Maroon coachwork and Black hide and carpets, this Ace is absolutely on the button and is a truly exhilarating car to drive. Thoroughly sorted both mechanically and cosmetically, with little more than 4000 miles on the IN Racing rebuilt engine, the noise, performance and handling of this car is simply addictive!

Supplied with UK V5 registration, tonneau cover, hood frame with black hood, side windows and comprehensive history file including an original instruction manual, this delightful Ace is a welcome entry to some of the best motoring events on the planet and arguably one of the finest examples on the market today