View source for AC Ace

{{about|AC Ace (1953–1963)|AC Ace (1993–2000)|AC Brooklands Ace}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name         = AC Ace
|image        = 1955 AC Ace.jpg
|caption      = 1953–1963 AC Ace 
|manufacturer = [[AC Cars]]
|production   = 1953&ndash;1963 <ref name="sedgwickbook">{{cite book |last1=Sedgwick |first1=Michael |last2=Gillies |first2=Mark |date=1986 |title= A–Z of Cars 1945–1970 |url= |location= |publisher=Haymarket Publishing Ltd |page=7 |isbn= |access-date=}}</ref>
|class        =
|body_style   = 2-door [[Roadster (automobile)|roadster]]
|engine       = 2.0&nbsp;L [[Straight-6 engine|I6]] (AC)<br>2.0&nbsp;L I6 (Bristol)<br>2.6&nbsp;L I6 (Ford)
|wheelbase    = {{cvt|90|in|mm|0}} <ref name=Motor1954/>
|weight       = {{cvt|1920|lb|kg|0}}
|length       = {{cvt|152|in|mm|0}} <ref name=Motor1954/>
|width        = {{cvt|59.5|in|mm|0}} <ref name=Motor1954/>
|height       = {{cvt|49|in|mm|0}} <ref name=Motor1954/>
|transmission = 4-speed [[manual transmission|manual]] (With overdrive available)
|related      = [[AC Aceca]]<br>[[AC Greyhound]]<br>[[AC Cobra]]
|successor    = [[AC Cobra]]
|designer     = [[John Tojeiro]]
}}

The '''AC Ace''' is a sports car produced by [[AC Cars]] of [[Thames Ditton]], [[England]], from 1953 until 1963. There were three main versions: the original AC Ace, the '''Ace Bristol''', and the '''Ace 2.6''', differentiated by the type of engine installed. About 220 AC Aces and 466 Ace-Bristol cars were produced during its 10 year run.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Covello |first=Mike |url=http://archive.org/details/standardcatalogo0000cove |title=Standard catalog of imported cars 1946–2002 |date=2002 |location =Iola, WI |publisher= Krause Publications |via=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-87341-605-4}}</ref> The AC Ace was the base car from which the original [[AC Cobra]] was developed.

==History==
AC resumed civilian production after the [[Second World War]] with the [[AC 2-Litre|2-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 2-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 open two-seater alloy body possibly inspired by the [[Ferrari 166 S|Ferrari 166 MM barchetta]].<ref name=Motor1954/><ref name=DavisJr>{{cite magazine |last=Davis Jr. |first=David E. |date=March 2002 |title=Ferrari's Dreamboat |url=https://paulrussell.com/articles/FerrarisDreamboat+BoatBuilder.pdf |magazine=Automobile Magazine }}</ref>

Joining the Ace in 1954 was the [[AC Aceca|Aceca]] hard top coupé, which had an early form of hatchback rear door but used a classic timber framed alloy body.

For both the Ace and the Aceca, AC used chassis numbers beginning with '''AE''' for AC-engined cars, '''BE''' for Bristol-engined ones, and '''RS''' for those equipped with the Ford unit. An "'''X'''" following the first two letters indicated an export model.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.w2ec.com/Ace50s.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202013648/http://www.w2ec.com/Ace50s.html |archive-date=2011-02-02 |title=Ace (1953–1962) |work=The AC Home Page |first=Paul R. |last=Vasek }}</ref>

In 1961 Bristol stopped building the 2.2-litre version of their six cylinder engine for internal use, but agreed to continue producing the 2-litre version for AC until 1963. At the same time, the AC six cylinder engine had reached the end of its development potential.

In 1961, Texan [[ Carroll Shelby]] approached AC's owner, Charles Hurlock, with a proposal to install a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]] in the Ace chassis.<ref name="ac-hist1962"/> AC agreed, and began adapting an Ace 2.6 to accommodate one of Ford's new [[Ford small block engine|small V8s]]. Shelby arranged for Ford to provide two engines, and shipped a {{cvt|221|cuin|L|1|order=flip}} version to Thames Ditton for the new car. Among the many changes made to accommodate the engine's greater power and torque was the selection of a Salisbury 4HU differential with inboard brakes, as used on the [[Jaguar E-type]]. Built on chassis CSX2000, AC dubbed the car the '''AC Ace 3.6'''. Reportedly complete late in 1961 and tested by AC in January 1962, the engine was removed and the car was shipped to the United States, where Shelby's crew installed a new {{cvt|260|cuin|L|1}} version of the Ford V8. CSX2000 is considered to be the very first AC Cobra.<ref name="cc-nov2022"/><ref name="hc-jun2020"/><ref name="mt-may2012"/>

Production of the Ace ended one year after the debut of the AC Cobra.

==AC engine cars==
Early cars used AC's own {{cvt|100|bhp|kW|0}} two-litre [[overhead cam]] [[straight-six engine]] first seen soon after the end of the First World War, which, according to a 1954 road test by ''Motor'' magazine, gave a top speed of {{cvt|103|mph|km/h|0}} and {{cvt|0|–|60|mph|km/h|-1}} in 11.4&nbsp;seconds and a fuel consumption of {{convert|25.2|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}}.<ref name=Motor1954>{{cite magazine |title=The AC Ace |magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]] |date=1 December 1954}}</ref> 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.

==Bristol engine cars==
From 1956, there was the option of [[Bristol Cars]]' 2-litre {{cvt|120|bhp|kW|0}} straight-six with 3 downdraught carburettors and Bristol four-speed [[Manual transmission|gearbox]]. Top speed rose to {{cvt|116|mph|km/h}} with {{cvt|0|–|60|mph|km/h|-1}} in the nine second bracket. Overdrive was available from 1956, and front disc brakes were an option from 1957, then standardised for 1958 on.

The Bristol engine was offered until the end of Ace production.

{{clear}}

==Ford/Ruddspeed engine cars==
[[File:1962 AC Ace 2.6 Ruddspeed front.jpg|thumb|left|1962 2.6-litre Ruddspeed-engined Ace]]
In 1961 a new {{cvt|2553|cc|L cc cuin|1|order=out}} straight-six 'Ruddspeed' option became available, which was a version of the Ford [[Ford Zephyr engine#Zephyr 6|Zephyr 6 engine]] tuned by Ken Rudd. It used three [[Weber carburetor|Weber]] or [[SU carburetor|SU]] carburettors and either a cast iron Ford cylinder head, either stock or modified, or a '[[Raymond Mays|Mays]]' alloy head. This setup boosted the car's performance further, with some versions tuned to {{cvt|170|bhp|kW|0}}, providing a top speed of {{cvt|130|mph|km/h|0}} and {{cvt|0|–|60|mph|km/h|-1}} in 8.1&nbsp;seconds.<ref>{{cite web |title=AC Ace 2.6 |url=http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/47/ |work=Motorbase |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-date=5 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505183015/http://motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/47/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The AC-powered chassis AE 1191 was taken off the line and was renumbered as RS 5000 to become the prototype Ace 2.6, but without the subsequent changes AC made to the bodywork for the other 2.6es.

To fit the Zephyr 6 engine, AC had to modify the frame and relocate the steering box. The reduced height of the Ford engine also allowed them to completely change the nose of the car, which included a lower bonnet and a smaller grille, changes which were carried over to the Cobra but are often mistakenly attributed to [[Carroll Shelby]].

It was not long before the Cobra drew away the attention of buyers, so only 37 of the 2.6 models were made.<ref>{{cite web |title=Model specs: 1961–1963 AC Ace RS 2.6 |url=http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3206 |work=Octane |access-date=5 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708202318/http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3206 |archive-date=8 July 2012 }}</ref>

==Technical data==
{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable style=font-size:95% defaultcenter col1left"
|+ AC Ace (1953–1964)<ref name="ac2l-prewar"/><ref name="culshawbook"/><ref name="labanbook"/><ref name="cf-51689"/><ref name="cf-51876"/><ref name="cf-51788"/><ref name="cf-17325"/><ref name="cf-52107"/><ref name="cf-52019"/><ref name="cf-52008"/>
|-
! 
! Ace (1953–64)
! Ace Bristol (1956–64)
! Ace 2.6 (1961–63)
|-
| Engine: ||colspan="3" | [[Straight-six engine|Straight-six]] (four-stroke)
|-
| Engine type: || AC Light Six || Bristol Type 100B/100D || Ford Zephyr 6/Ruddspeed
|-
| Displacement: || {{cvt|1991|cc|cuin|1}} || {{cvt|1971|cc|cuin|1}} || {{cvt|2553|cc|cuin|1}}
|-
| Bore × Stroke: || {{cvt|65| × |100|mm|in|1}} || {{cvt|66| × |96|mm|in|1}} || {{cvt|82.55| × |79.5|mm|in|1}}
|-
| Maximum power: || {{cvt|85|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 4500&nbsp;rpm<br /> {{cvt|90|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 4500&nbsp;rpm<br /> {{cvt|102|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 5000&nbsp;rpm || {{cvt|105|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 5000&nbsp;rpm (Type 100B)<br /> {{cvt|128|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 5750&nbsp;rpm (Type 100D) || {{cvt|90|bhp| PS kW|0}} at 4500&nbsp;rpm<br /> {{cvt|100|bhp| PS kW|0}} (Stage 1)<br /> {{cvt|125|bhp| PS kW|0}} (Stage 2)<br /> {{cvt|150|bhp| PS kW|0}} (Stage 3)<br /> {{cvt|170|bhp| PS kW|0}} (Stage 4)
|-
| Maximum torque: || {{cvt|149|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 2500&nbsp;rpm (85&nbsp;bhp)<br /> {{cvt|149|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 2500&nbsp;rpm (90&nbsp;bhp)<br /> {{cvt|163|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 3000&nbsp;rpm (102&nbsp;bhp) || {{cvt|142|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 3750&nbsp;rpm (Type 100B)<br /> {{cvt|167|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 4500&nbsp;rpm (Type 100D) || {{cvt|180|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 2000&nbsp;rpm (Stage 1)<br /> {{cvt|209|Nm|ftlb|0}} at 3000&nbsp;rpm (Stage 4)
|-
| Carburation: || 3 × SU || 3 × Solex || 1 × Zenith (Base)<br />3 × SU (Stages 1–3)<br />3 × Weber (Stage 4)
|-
| Valvetrain: || [[Overhead camshaft engine#Single overhead camshaft (SOHC)|SOHC]], chain-driven || Single chain-driven [[cam-in-block]], pushrods, rocker arms || Single gear-driven cam-in-block, pushrods, rocker arms
|-
| Cooling: ||colspan="3" | [[Radiator (engine cooling)#Automobiles and motorcycles|Water-cooled]]
|-
| Transmission: ||colspan="3" | 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] (Optional overdrive in 1956)
|-
| Transmission type: || Moss || Bristol || AC alloy case with TR3 gears
|-
| Front suspension: ||colspan="3" | Lower wishbone, upper transverse leaf spring, tubular shock absorbers
|-
| Rear suspension: ||colspan="3" | Wide lower arm, upper transverse leaf spring, tubular shock absorbers
|-
| Brakes: ||colspan="3" | Drum/drum (front discs optional in 1957, standard in 1958/59)
|-
| Chassis: ||colspan="3" | Ladder chassis of large diameter round cross-section steel tube, tubular steel scuttle hoop
|-
| Body: ||colspan="3" | Hand-formed, welded aluminium, tubular steel support frame
|-
| Track f/r: ||colspan="3" | {{cvt|1270|/|1270|mm|in|1}}
|-
| Wheelbase: ||colspan="3" | {{cvt|2286|mm|in|1}}
|-
| Length: ||colspan="2" | {{cvt|3848|mm|in|1}} || {{cvt|3874|mm|in|1}}
|-
| Unladen weight: || {{cvt|762–780|kg|lb|0}} || {{cvt|762–894|kg|lb|0}} || {{cvt|792–813|kg|lb|0}}
|-
| Top speed: || {{cvt|166|kph|mph|0}} (85&nbsp;bhp)<br /> {{cvt|166|kph|mph|0}} (90&nbsp;bhp)<br /> {{cvt|167|kph|mph|0}} (102&nbsp;bhp) || {{cvt|188|kph|mph|0}} (Type 100B)<br /> {{cvt|190|kph|mph|0}} (Type 100D) || {{cvt|217|kph|mph|0}} (Stage 4)
|-
| Acceleration {{cvt|0|–|60|mph|kph|0}}: || 11.4 seconds (85&nbsp;bhp)<br /> 11 seconds (90&nbsp;bhp)<br /> — seconds (102&nbsp;bhp) || — seconds (Type 100B)<br /> 9.1 seconds (Type 100D) || 6.0 seconds (Stage 4)
|-
| Fuel consumption: || {{cvt|11.2|l/100km| mpgimp mpgus|0}} (90&nbsp;bhp) || {{cvt|13.1|l/100km|mpgimp mpgus|0}} (Type 100D) || —
|}

==Specials==
===AC Ace LM prototype===
The AC Ace LM prototype was a one-off from the year 1958 with the unusual chassis number LM5000. It was designed by John Tojeiro on behalf of the brothers Hurlock specifically for the AC factory to field at the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] and other [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|long-distance events]].

The car weighed only {{convert|737|kilogram}}, and differed fundamentally from the standard Ace: it had a lightweight tubular steel chassis without the massive ladder structure, a new [[Double wishbone suspension|double wishbone]] front suspension with coil-over-dampers, and a newly designed independent suspension at the rear. The open aluminium body was much lower, with large overhangs front and rear and a low nose and high tail for aerodynamics. The body was designed by artist [[Cavendish Morton (artist)|Cavendish Morton]], who also styled other sports cars. Both engine and transmission were from Bristol, with the engine being a Bristol Type 100D2/S unit.

After a test run on the [[Brooklands]] circuit just a few kilometres from the AC factory, the not-yet-fully-sorted prototype completed two events in 1958: as a factory entry in the Le Mans 24-hour race in June, and in the Rudac Racing Team at the RAC Tourist Trophy at the Goodwood Circuit in September. Due to changes in the regulations, the car was ineligible to compete in the next event in its class in the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] - [[Sportscar World Championship]]. The Bristol drivetrain was returned to the manufacturer and the racing car was sold engineless. Later rebuilt, the Ace LM prototype was acquired by a collector.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===AC Ace Bristol Zagato===
[[File:1957 AC Ace Bristol Zagato (14102481796).jpg|thumb|AC Ace Bristol Zagato]]
The "AC Ace Bristol Zagato" was designed and built by the carrozzeria [[Zagato]] in 1958. Built on Ace chassis number BEX 477, indicating a Bristol-powered export (left-hand drive) chassis, it was given a fixed-head coupé body like the AC Aceca.

The idea came about at the [[Geneva Motor Show]] in 1957 during a meeting between [[Hubert Patthey]], the importer of ''AC'' and ''Aston Martin'' cars to Switzerland at the time, and Elio Zagato. Patthey commissioned Zagato to produce a unique body for the car, which would be used at local races and, in particular, at the Pescara rally. The donor 1957 Ace was delivered to the Swiss company in 1958.

Zagato produced a coupé body of thin aluminium sheet with their trademark "Double Bubble" roof, with vaults over the driver's and co-driver's seat to ensure sufficient headroom in the low coupé. The car took part in only one well-known race on 5 October 1958, at the Coupes du Salon, where it won its class of cars up to 2000&nbsp;cc.

Patthey sold the finished coupé to John Gretener, an Englishman then living in Switzerland, who raced it in hill climbs around [[Lake Geneva]]. The car was repatriated to England, where it was owned by Kevin Jackson. Later, racing driver [[Joseph Siffert|Jo Siffert]] acquired the car, which he used at different racing events and in historical races like the [[Mille Miglia]]. In 2000, American Jim Feldman acquired the AC Ace Bristol Zagato from the now-defunct Rosso Bianco collection, and personally restored the car.<ref name="ci-nov2020"/><ref name="vt-sep2019"/><ref name="ml-feb2006"/>

The Ace Bristol Zagato is fitted with a Bristol six-cylinder engine that produces {{cvt|130|hp|kW|0}} at 5750&nbsp;rpm, and {{cvt|174|Nm|lbft|0|order=flip}} at 4500&nbsp;rpm. The car is {{convert|3848|mm|ft}} long, {{convert|1245|mm|ft}} tall, and weights {{convert|862|kilogram}} ready-to-run. Its top speed is {{convert|185|km/h}}. Acceleration {{cvt|0–60|mph|kph|0}} takes 7.7 seconds, while {{cvt|0–100|mph|kph|0}} takes 16.1 seconds.

===AC Ace-Aigle===
[[File:1957 AC Ace Bristol (32049227101).jpg|thumb|Rebodied Ace Bristol BEX 289]]
''AC Ace-Aigle'' refers primarily to an AC Ace Bristol-based special built in [[Aigle]], Switzerland on Ace chassis number BEX 289. At least one other AC Ace received similar modifications at a nearby location. Like the 1958 AC Ace Bristol Zagato, Swiss ''AC'' importer Hubert Patthey was involved with this car, but only in a minor way.

BEX 289 was the first AC Ace to leave the factory with front disc brakes. Patthey sold it to Charles Voegele, who used it as his personal car and entered it in some races. In 1959 it was damaged badly in a crash at la Col de la Faucille, after which it was resold by Patthey to brothers Claude and George Gachnang and brought to their workshop in Aigle as the basis for the Ace-Aigle. 

Some suggest that the bodywork for the project was done by Carrozzeria Aigle, which until 1953 had been the [[Ghia-Aigle]] subsidiary of Carrozzeria Ghia. The carrozzeria had done similar work on a wide variety of cars, including a 1956 AC Aceca, but BEX 289 is not currently listed as a project on the Carrozzeria Aigle history site.<ref name="ghia-aigle"/> Another source suggests that the work was done in the Gachnang's workshop with the assistance of an employee of the nearby Carrozzeria Grossman.

The Ace-Aigle received a modified nose and a fixed [[hardtop]] for improved aerodynamics. This roof included the "double bubble" design typical of Zagato as seen in its 1958 coupé. The factory front end of radiator grille, front wings and bonnet was replaced by a new one made of lightweight [[Fiberglass|glass-reinforced plastic]] (GRP) that was longer, lower, and rounder than the original. The new nose had a flat, oval cooling air intake, and headlamps recessed into the wings with [[Poly(methyl methacrylate)|plexiglas]] covers. Underneath, the car received an all-new suspension.

In this form it was driven in the [[1960 24 Hours of Le Mans]] by Georges Gachnang and André Wicky, with John Gretener as reserve, entered as Ecurie Lausannoise. It successfully completed the Le Mans test in April 1960, but was not classified in the June race due to insufficient distance covered.<ref name="rsc-aigle"/> The Gachnang brothers formed Scuderia Cegga (for "Charles et Georges Gachnang, Aigle") in 1965.<ref name="forix"/>

BEX 289 was partially rebodied again in the 1970s and lost the double bubble in its roof, although who did the work is uncertain. One candidate is [[Piero Drogo]]'s [[Carrozzeria Sports Cars]].

After having lost track of BEX 289 for several years, the car was rediscovered in 2011, and was to appear at the Le Mans Classic 2012.

The AC Ace with chassis number BEX 429 was rebodied in a style very similar to BEX 289 by Ghia-Aigle for owner André Bungener, apparently without the Gachnangs' involvement. BEX 427 remained an open two seater.<ref name="ghia-aigle"/>

===AC Ace BEX 1192===
A modified "Ace Bristol" with chassis number BEX 1192 appeared in Le Mans in 1962, which was also the last Le Mans appearance of an "AC Ace" before the advent of the "AC Cobra" from 1964 on. The car of a French private owner, it was based on an Ace 2.6 chassis and received a special bodywork with faired-in headlights similar to BEX 289.

===AC Ace-Jaguar===
A car described as an "A.C. Ace-Jaguar" is listed as competing at the Weston-Super-Ware race and Brighton Speed Trials in the early 1960s.<ref name="as-oct1962"/><ref name="as-sep1963"/> If the car was then powered by a Jaguar engine, it would have likely received some version of the [[Jaguar XK engine]]. In both of the cases above, the car was driven by an S. or S. H. Richardson. The latter name is associated with a company that was a [[Wrecking yard|car breaker]] and used-parts seller.

==Motorsport==
AC Aces raced at [[Le Mans 24 Hours|Le Mans]] in 1957 and 1958. In the [[1959 24 Hours of Le Mans]], Ted Whiteaway and John Turner drove their AC Ace Bristol, registration 650BPK, to the finish, claiming top honours for the 2,000cc GT class and seventh overall behind six 3-litre cars.

==Replicas==
As with the Cobra, some AC Ace replicas have been made, such as the Hawk Ace, but are much rarer.

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="mt-may2012">{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Matt |date=May 11, 2012 |title=Shelby Cobra CSX2000 - How it all Came to Be |url=https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/first-shelby-cobra |website=motortrend.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="hc-jun2020">{{cite web |last=Barclay |first=Cory |date=June 16, 2020 |title=The True Story Behind The First Ever Shelby Cobra |url=https://www.hotcars.com/true-story-behind-first-shelby-cobra/ |website=hotcars.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cc-nov2022">{{cite web |last=Vinten |first=Dale |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Commemorating the AC Cobra |url=https://www.carandclassic.com/magazine/commemorating-the-ac-cobra/ |website=carandclassic.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="ac2l-prewar">{{cite web |editor-last=Strange |editor-first=Ian |date=29 December 2006 |title=History of AC Cars After World War 2 (Page 1) |url=https://www.ac2litre.com/pwhistory1.html |website=ac2litre.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="culshawbook">{{cite book |last1=Culshaw |first1=David |last2=Horrobin |first2=Peter |date=1998 |title=The Complete Catalog of British Cars, 1895–1975 |edition=2nd |url= |location=Dorchester, UK |publisher=Veloce Publishing |page= |isbn=978-1-874105-93-0 |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="labanbook">{{cite book |last=Laban |first=Brian |date=1991 |title=AC Cobra — The Complete Story |url= |location=Swindon, England |publisher=The Crowood Press |page= |isbn=1-85223-459-8 |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-51689">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1953 AC Ace (85 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-51689 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-51876">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1953 AC Ace (90 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-51876 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-51788">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1953 AC Ace (102 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-51788 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-17325">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1956 AC Ace-Bristol (105 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-bristol-17325 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-52107">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1956 AC Ace-Bristol (125 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-bristol-52107 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-52019">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1961 AC Ace-Zephyr (100 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-zephyr-52019 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="cf-52008">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title=1961 AC Ace 2.6 (170 bhp) |url=https://www.carfolio.com/ac-ace-2.6-52008 |website=carfolio.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="ci-nov2020">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2020-11-07 |title=AC Ace Bristol Zagato |url=https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ac-ace-bristol/ |website=carrozzieri-italiani.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="ml-feb2006">{{cite web |last=Bonnafous |first=Gilles |date=2006-02-02 |title=AC Bristol Zagato |url=https://www.motorlegend.com/histoire-automobile/saga-zagato/ac-bristol-zagato/6,12555,12504.html |website=motorlegend.com |language=fr |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="vt-sep2019">{{cite web |last=Vack |first=Pete |date=September 3, 2019 |title=Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, 2019 |url=https://velocetoday.com/pebble-beach-concours-delegance-2019/ |website= |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="ghia-aigle">{{cite web |last=Dierkes |first=Stefan |date=2023-08-31 |title=Cars of Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle & Lugano (CH) |url=http://www.ghia-aigle.info/cars.htm |website=ghia-aigle.info |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="forix">{{cite web |last=Baer |first=Lorenzo |date=21 October 2024 |title=Swiss F1 dreams |url=https://www.forix.com/8w/cegga.html |website=forix.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="rsc-aigle">{{cite web |editor-last=Krejci |editor-first=Martin |date= |title=Complete Archive of AC Ace-Aigle |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/suffix/archive/AC/Ace/-Aigle.html |website=racingsportscars.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="ac-hist1962">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2020-07-08 |title=Histoy of AC Cars — 1962 |url=https://ac.cars/en-us/history/#sec1962 |website=ac.cars |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="as-oct1962">{{cite magazine |last=Biley |first=Howard |date=5 October 1962 |title=Chris Summers Best at Weston-Super-Mare |url= |magazine=[[Autosport]] |volume=25 |number=14 |page=464 |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

<ref name="as-sep1963">{{cite magazine |last=Sparrow |first=Brian |date=20 September 1963 |title=Brighton Speed Trials |url= |magazine=[[Autosport]] |volume=27 |number=12 |page=395 |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120129183946/http://www.ac-automotive.com/options-prices.html Prices and Options ENGLAND without VAT] (archived from ''www.ac-automotive.com'')

{{AC vehicles}}

[[Category:Sports cars]]
[[Category:AC vehicles|Ace]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1953]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1963]]
[[Category:1950s cars]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Le Mans race cars]]