1958 AC Ace Roadster

AE438roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: AC inline-six, rebuilt with standard crank and 9:1 compression, electronic ignition
Colour: Ice blue (repainted from original grey)

A 1958 AC Ace Roadster with AC engine, this example was first registered to AC Cars Limited and has had only four private owners from new. Acquired by the current owner in 1968, it was restored and resprayed around 1990 by AC at Brooklands, with the colour changed from grey to Ice Blue. The car retains its original body, carries a replacement factory engine said to be the last of its type produced, and shows a believed-genuine 10,100 miles.

Ownership

2022-04-10Auction sale
Sold £174,000 (≈ $218K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1958-07-01 →Factory delivery
AC Cars Limited
full documentation
Originally registered to the manufacturer in July 1958; original logbook survives.
1968 →Acquisition unknown
Current vendor
full documentation
Has held the car for over five decades, storing it in a heated garage and using it sparingly; commissioned a restoration and respray by AC at Brooklands around 1990, with invoices retained.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
First private owner
partial documentation
One of three private owners prior to 1968; no individual detail given beyond billing records from the 1960s–1970s.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Second private owner
partial documentation
Second of three private owners before 1968; no individual detail provided.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Third private owner
partial documentation
Third of three private owners before 1968; no individual detail provided.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

1990Restoration
AC Cars
Comprehensive restoration and respray carried out by AC at Brooklands; colour changed from original grey to Ice Blue. Invoices retained in the history file.
Work performed at AC's Brooklands facility; documentary evidence on file.
2019
Mechanical
New radiator fitted.
2021
Service
Car recommissioned after a period of storage.
—
Modification
Original gearbox modified to accept a Jaguar MkVII remote gear selector, retaining overdrive on third and fourth gears.
—Maintenance
Speedograph Richfield
Interior fully re-trimmed in black leather with Wilton carpeting throughout including the boot; tachometer and odometer recalibrated by Speedograph Richfield without altering recorded mileage.
—
Modification
New wiring loom installed and tripod headlights fitted with halogen bulb conversion.
—
Engine rebuild
Engine rebuilt with new bearings on a standard crankshaft and 9:1 compression pistons; upgraded with electronic ignition, a Kenlowe electric fan, and an oil-cooled thermostat assembly. A stainless steel fuel tank was also fitted.
Replacement engine numbered CLB N, described as the last AC engine to leave the factory.
—
Mechanical
Suspension and drivetrain refurbishment including improved shock absorber top mounts, new bearings, Metalastic bushes throughout, and reconditioned prop and half shafts with new roller spiders.
—
Mechanical
Hydraulic system upgraded with new Kunifer and Aeroquip brake and clutch lines, new slave and master cylinders, and reconditioned brake callipers with replacement pistons and seals.
—
Mechanical
Water pump rebuilt and upgraded; entire exhaust system replaced with stainless steel.

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