1957 AC Aceca Bristol

The AC Aceca

The AC Aceca occupies an important place in the history of AC Cars. Introduced at the 1954 Earls Court Motor Show, it was developed as a closed-roof companion to the marque’s famous, open-top Ace, offering the same well-regarded chassis engineering with greater comfort and practicality. Built in Thames Ditton and produced in small numbers, the Aceca reflects a period when AC was moving steadily toward wider recognition, soon to be amplified by the arrival of the legendary Cobra.

AC was already one of Britain’s longest-established motor manufacturers, with roots dating back to the early 1900s. Post-war, the company gained renewed attention thanks to the Ace, a lightweight sports car built around a tubular chassis inspired by John Tojeiro’s earlier work. The Aceca carried this structure forward, pairing it with hand-formed aluminium bodywork and a well-appointed interior that made it suitable for longer journeys as well as occasional competition use.

Early examples were powered by AC’s own 2.0-litre straight-six, a durable and characterful engine with origins in the interwar years. From 1956, however, many buyers opted for the proven Bristol 2.0-litre straight-six, whose BMW-derived cylinder head and stronger performance broadened the Aceca’s capability as a compact grand tourer.

Today, these Bristol-engined cars are the most sought-after and widely regarded as the definitive Aceca specification, both for their strong performance and for their close association with period competition. Towards the end of production, when Bristol engines were no longer available, AC opted to equip late Acecas with Ford’s 2.6-litre straight-six. Exact production figures vary, but it is generally accepted that fewer than 350 Acecas were built across all engine types.

This car - BE640

Completed on 30th October 1957, this AC Aceca Bristol – chassis BE640 – was delivered in right-hand-drive guise, finished in sophisticated Blue Metaline and registered as UTR 30. Delivered new to Colin Dowman, by 1959 ownership passed to Lewis Bros Ltd., and swiftly passed through the hands of Nixon’s Garage Ltd., Leon Litchfield and L.B. Plastics Ltd. before finding a home with Geoffrey Hunt in 1961.

BE640 was bought by John Bolster in 1963, the well-known driver, commentator and long-serving Autosport journalist, who conducted the magazine’s original AC Aceca road test. Three years later, the car passed to Jim Fitzgerald, in whose long-term care it remained for a remarkable 45 years until 2011.

Purchased by its current owner that year, BE640 was granted a FIVA passport with A/3 classification and immediately returned to active historic use. It took part in the 2012 Tour Auto, Mille Miglia, and Zoute Grand Prix Rally, beginning a proven record in high-profile international events.

In 2013, the car received a bare-metal body restoration and repaint in its original Blue Metaline by renowned body shop Spray Tec Restorations Ltd at a cost of £40,000.

Further outings at the Mille Miglia and Zoute GP in followed in 2015, as well as an appearance at the 2016 Bensberg Classic Rally Historique.

In-depth mechanical work was carried out by Bristol specialist IN Racing in 2019, including a full engine rebuild with new block, cams and pistons (totalling £31,000), and a gearbox rebuild the same year.

Today, BE640 is presented with excellent paintwork and a smooth-running Bristol engine (no. 100D2 1024) thanks to the investment of over £70,000 in recent works by the current owner. With what are purported to be the original dark blue leather seats complemented by recent blue carpeting, a Motorola radio, Turrino wire wheels, and shows 38,131 miles on its odometer.

Accompanied by its original ‘Buff’ log book, the AC Aceca stands as a thoughtfully engineered 1950s coupé: quieter and more usable than many contemporaries, yet still closely linked to the competition heritage of the open-top Ace.

BE640, being a 1957 built car, is importantly eligible for the 1000 Miglia retrospective, an of which this car is a two time participant in recent years.  For enthusiasts seeking an understated GT with genuine period pedigree and worldwide event eligibility, the Aceca Bristol remains a truly compelling choice.