1957 AC Ace-Bristol
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-six OHV with inclined valves, three Solex downdraft carburetors, 130 bhp at 5,750 rpm
- Colour
- British Racing Green
Chassis BEX385 is a left-hand-drive 1957 AC Ace-Bristol roadster, one of the more powerful and expensive Bristol-engined variants of AC's landmark sports car. Dispatched from the factory in late 1957 for a Houston, Texas dealer, it subsequently passed through French ownership before returning to the United States. It later formed part of the notable Indiana collection assembled by Tom Mittler, and now presents in British Racing Green over black leather.
Ownership
- 2019-01-17Auction saleEstimate US$300,000 – US$375,000
- 1957-11-27 →Factory deliveryPrecision Autos, Houston Texas (dealer)partial documentation
Factory delivery destination; original retail owner's identity not recorded in surviving documentation.
- → 1980-02-01Acquisition unknownM. Davin Maronpartial documentation
Marseille-based owner who acquired the car reportedly with engine requiring attention; a period-correct replacement unit is believed to have been installed during his ownership. He exchanged the car for an Alfa Romeo in February 1980.
- 1989 →Private saleTom Mittlerpartial documentation
Mishawaka, Indiana collector who added the car to his noted sports and racing car collection; now deceased.
- Date unknownUnidentified US owner(s)none documentation
Car was sold on within the United States before eventually being exported to France; no specific owner named for this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLos Angeles-based collectorpartial documentation
Current consignor; car was repainted in British Racing Green with black leather interior during or before this ownership. Recent brake maintenance was carried out.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuild
The original engine was reportedly in poor condition at the time of French acquisition, and a period-correct replacement unit is understood to have been installed.
Work believed to have taken place during M. Davin Maron's ownership in Marseille; exact date not recorded.
- —Bodywork
The car's exterior finish was changed to British Racing Green with a black leather interior at some point in its history; original delivery specification was Bright Blue Metallic over light beige.
Date of repaint not stated in the catalogue.
- —Mechanical
A brake service was carried out, with documentation noted among the car's records.
Described as having occurred in recent times; no specific date or workshop given.
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