1959 AC Ace Bristol Stage II
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-six, three downdraft carburetors, 128 bhp (Stage II spec)
- Colour
- Aston Racing Green
Chassis BEX 1054 is a factory left-hand-drive AC Ace Bristol, built in 1959 with a Stage II 2.0-litre Bristol six-cylinder engine and delivered to its first owner in Illinois. One of only 466 Bristol-engined Aces produced between 1956 and 1962, the car compiled eleven SCCA class victories in period competition. After decades in California ownership, it was subjected to a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by renowned AC specialist Jim Feldman, returning the car to original Stage II specification at concours quality, with all original body panels retained and refinished in Aston Racing Green.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$495,000
- 1959-04-13 →Factory deliveryDr. R. Roth of Illinoisfull documentation
Original recipient of the car, registered as a 1960 model year vehicle in Illinois. The factory delivery record and competition register both document this ownership.
- → 2006Acquisition unknownMr. Croninpartial documentation
Based in Woodside, California; ownership confirmed in a 1998 publication. The car was located there by a subsequent buyer roughly a decade before the catalogue was written.
- → 2006Private saleJim Feldmanpartial documentation
US representative for the AC Owners Club who purchased the car from Mr. Cronin as a restoration project, then sold it to the consignor in 2006, conducting the restoration on the consignor's behalf.
- 2006 →Private saleConsignorfull documentation
Funded a comprehensive five-year restoration by Jim Feldman with no budget constraints, with the aim of returning the car to original specification at the highest possible quality level.
Competition
- —SCCASCCA races (multiple)11 class victories
Eleven class wins recorded in SCCA competition, as noted in both the McLellan/Bancroft competition history and the AC Owners Club Register.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2006RestorationJim Feldman
Full nut-and-bolt disassembly and restoration by AC specialist Jim Feldman over approximately five years. Chassis was inspected and structurally reinforced with replacement tubes, inner panels, and stronger suspension fittings derived from later Cobra practice. The original Bristol six-cylinder engine, four-speed gearbox, and rear axle were rebuilt to modern vintage-racing standards matching Stage II specification, including high-compression head, new pistons, bearings, camshaft, and driveshaft. A period Laycock de Normanville overdrive was added for long-distance touring capability. A period-correct aluminium fuel tank and secondary fuel pump were fitted, and all original exterior aluminium panels were retained and expertly reformed. The car was finished in Aston Racing Green with matching green interior, period racing harnesses, new hood and side-curtains, and correct 16-inch cross-laced wheels with original-specification Michelin X tyres sourced from England.
Restoration was commissioned and funded by the consignor; Feldman considered it among the finest restorations of his career. Only test miles accumulated upon completion.
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