1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster

BEX495roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: 1.97L inline-six, pushrod-actuated hemispherical combustion chambers, up to 130 bhp (Bristol Type D, rebuilt with Cosworth pistons)
Colour: Sage green

Chassis BEX495 is a 1958 AC Ace-Bristol roadster built in left-hand drive configuration for the American market and originally consigned to Hap Dressel's AC Imports dealership in Arlington, Virginia. Equipped with the desirable Bristol six-cylinder engine, overdrive transmission, optional disc brakes, and a period remote gearchange conversion, the car spent the majority of its life with a single owner before returning to the United Kingdom, where it underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration completed in 2018.

Ownership

2019-10-11Auction sale
Sold €245,000 (≈ $270K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1958-10-01 →Factory delivery
Hap Dressel's AC Imports dealership
partial documentation
US-market left-hand-drive car shipped to this dealership in Arlington, Virginia as the initial receiving point for the vehicle.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Single long-term US owner
partial documentation
One individual held the car for the great majority of its life; the car was eventually returned to the UK in 2018 for a full restoration.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2018
Restoration
Full nut-and-bolt restoration encompassing a complete strip-down and reassembly. The non-original but correct Type D engine was rebuilt with Cosworth pistons. A new stainless-steel exhaust was fitted. Bodywork was refinished in Sage Green and the interior retrimmed in tan leather, both to concours-level standards by recognised specialists.
The car was first registered in the UK on 1 June 2018 following the restoration. A comprehensive file of invoices and work records accompanies the car.

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