1956 AC Ace
- Engine
- 2.0L OHC inline-six
- Colour
- Red
Chassis AEX 160 is a 1956 AC Ace, one of the celebrated aluminum-bodied sports cars built on John Tojeiro's tubular frame with AC's own 2.0-litre overhead-cam six-cylinder engine. Delivered new to a Beverly Hills customer in May 1956, it subsequently passed through Switzerland before returning to the United States in 1982. During a 33-year tenure with its third known owner, the car was comprehensively restored in the early 1990s and went on to win First Place at the inaugural 1996 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, among other awards.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$362,500
- 1956 →Factory deliveryIrving Davispartial documentation
First retail owner, based in Beverly Hills, California; took delivery via the AC distributor in Los Angeles after the car left the factory in May 1956.
- → 1982Swiss ownerpartial documentation
Car spent a period in Switzerland under this owner's custody before being brought back to the United States in 1982.
- 1982 → 2015Acquisition unknownDr. Walter Padowpartial documentation
Third documented owner, based in Plantation, Florida; held the car for roughly 33 years, commissioning a thorough restoration in the early 1990s and earning multiple concours awards during his tenure.
- 2016 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired the car after Padow's long ownership and has kept it in properly maintained condition since.
Competition
- 19961996 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance1st Place
Inaugural running of the Amelia Island Concours; the car had been fully restored prior to this appearance.
- —AACAAACA Grand NationalGrand National award
One of several prizes won by Dr. Padow during his ownership; exact year not stated.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A thorough, comprehensive restoration was carried out during the early 1990s while the car was in Dr. Padow's ownership.
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