AC Aceca 1978

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. , The elegant AC Aceca owes its origins to the success of independent racing car builder Cliff Davis and John Tojeiro’s sports-racer, which inspired AC Cars to introduce the Ace in 1954. The barchetta-style body, reminiscent of the Ferrari 166, was paired with a twin-tube ladder chassis and independent suspension derived from Cooper designs. Power came from AC’s venerable 2-litre overhead-cam straight-six, designed by company founder John Weller and delivering around 80–100bhp. Though modest in output, it provided the Ace with respectable performance and superb balance. A closed fastback version, the Aceca debuted at the 1954 Earls Court Motor Show. Hand-formed aluminium coachwork over a tubular steel framework gave the Aceca a shapely and refined appearance, whilst a more substantial chassis and rubber-mounted components improved comfort and NVH. The curved windscreen, practical rear hatch and folding rear luggage area created a beautifully engineered lightweight GT in the finest AC tradition. Only 151 were built with the AC straight-six, making these early examples particularly desirable.This Aceca enjoyed long term single family ownership from 1978 until 2019. Its custodian was not only a recognised marque expert, but also President of the Aceca Club, well known in enthusiast circles, and personally maintained the car for decades. In 2000, the car received a cosmetic refurbishment including a repaint, followed around 2014 by a very high quality interior retrim with Navy Blue hides, Royal Blue carpet and refreshed veneers. Purchased by our vendor in 2020, the AC was then entrusted to respected specialists, CCK London, for a comprehensive mechanical restoration. This included new suspension, braking system and radiator, along with a complete engine rebuild. The original crankcase was found cracked beyond repair, so a new crankcase was cast, and the engine was rebuilt using a new crankshaft, con rods, pistons, valves, a mild road camshaft and clutch at a cost of approximately £100,000 with the appropriate invoices on file. The result is a car that retains delightful cosmetic patina whilst being mechanically outstanding. Only around 200 miles have been covered since the work was completed and the engine will require a period of gentle running in. Accompanied by a good history file, invoices for recent works and its V5C, this rare AC Aceca offers a superb blend of originality, expert long term care and major recent investment. Sensibly guided and highly desirable, this is an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of AC’s most elegant GTs.