AC Ace

Infobox Automobile
name =AC Ace


manufacturer =AC Cars
production =1951–1962
class =Roadster
engine =2.0 L I6/2.6 L
wheelbase =auto|90|in|mm|abbr=on
weight =1920 lb (871 kg)
length =auto|152|in|mm|abbr=on
width =auto|59.5|in|mm|abbr=on
height =auto|49|in|mm|abbr=on
transmission =4-speed manual (With overdrive available)
related =AC Cobra

AC Ace is a car made by AC Cars of Thames Ditton, England.

AC came back to the market after the Second World War with the staid Two-litre range of cars in 1947, but it was with the Ace sports car of 1953 that the company really made its reputation in the post war years. Casting around for a replacement for the ageing Two litre, AC took up a design by John Tojeiro that used a light ladder type tubular frame, all independent transverse leaf spring suspension and an outstandingly pretty, open two seater alloy body, clearly inspired by the Ferrari Barchetta of the day.

Early cars used AC's elderly two litre, overhead cam, Auto bhp|100|-1, straight six engine (first seen soon after the end of the First World War) which gave a top speed of Convert|102|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 13 seconds. It was hardly a sporting engine, however, and it was felt that something more modern and powerful was required to put the modern chassis to good use. Thus, from 1956, there was the option of Bristol Car's superb two litre Auto bhp|120|0 straight six engine with 3 downdraft carburettors and slick four speed gearbox. Top speed leapt to 116 mph (186 km/h) with 0-60 (96 km/h) in the nine second bracket, and response was much sweeter and modern. This was replaced in 1962 with the 2.6 liter Ken Rudd 'Ruddspeed' engine, adapted from that used in the Ford Zephyr. It used 3 Weber or SU carburettors and either a 'Mays' or iron cast head. This set up boosted the car's performance further, but it was not long before Carroll Shelby pulled AC's attention to the Cobra, so only about 40 were ever made.

In the final years of productions some Ace models were fitted with the MKII Ford Zephyr 2.6 litre straight-6 engine. These Ford engined models had a smaller grille which was carried over to the Cobra.

Overdrive was available from 1956 and front disc brakes were an option from 1957, although they were later standardized. With the engine well back in the chassis, the Ace handled well and was successful in competition.

Joining the Ace in 1954 was the Aceca hard top coupé, which had an early form of hatchback rear door but used the same basic timber framed alloy body.

Motor Sport

The car raced at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958.

AC Cobra

When Bristol ceased building their 6-cylinder engine in 1961, AC's owner, Charles Hurlock, was approached by Carroll Shelby to use a Ford V8 in the Ace chassis, producing the AC Cobra in 1962. Production of the Ace ended the same year.

AC Ace (1999)

The Ace name was reintroduced in 1999 with a radically new design. The new Ace offered an option of a Convert|305|hp|kW|0|abbr=on Ford V8 "Quad Cam" or a Lotus Convert|350|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine. The car has features such as air conditioning, full hide interior and GPS navigation.

Road test

The British "Motor" magazine tested an AC engined Ace in 1954 recording a top speed of convert|103|mph|km/h|abbr=on and acceleration from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 11.4 seconds and a fuel consumption of convert|25.2|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus.

The test car cost £1439 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The AC Ace| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = December 1 1954]

Replicas

As with the Cobra, some AC Ace replicas have been made but are much rarer.

External reference

* [http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/company/index.html AC Ace replica]

References