AC Ace-Bristol Roadster (Chassis no. BEX 421 Engine no. 100D 779) 2.0 6-cilinder 1958

1958 AC Ace Bristol Roadster – Chassis BEX 421 – Engine no. 100D 779

One of the purest sports cars ever built: rare, iconic and eminently suitable for historic rally’s and concours. This 1958 AC Ace Bristol, chassis number BEX 421, represents the pinnacle of 1950s British sports car culture. A rare opportunity for the collector looking for originality, history and class.

Model history: the birth of an icon
The AC Ace was introduced in 1954 and was based on Cliff Davis' Tojeiro racer. The handsome barchetta body, inspired by the Ferrari 166, was combined with a lightweight tubular frame and independent suspension. This proved to be a recipe for pure driving dynamics.

Initially, the Ace was equipped with a 2.0-liter 1919 AC six-cylinder engine, good for 80 to 100 horsepower. Beginning in 1956, the Ace was also available with the more powerful Bristol 2.0-liter six-cylinder, based on the BMW 328. This engine had hemispherical combustion chambers, angled valves and double pushrods designed by Rudolf Schleicher. Despite the lack of an overhead camshaft, the block looked like a true twin-cam and produced up to 130 hp in street trim and around 150 hp in race trim.

Thanks to its low weight, balanced suspension and this engine, the Ace grew into a winner on the track. The highlight was the class victory and seventh place overall at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Ace also later formed the basis for the legendary AC Cobra.

Technical and commercial features
Although the Bristol engine was more expensive and heavier than the original AC powerplant, it offered significant performance gains. In 1957, an Ace Bristol cost £2,011, 22% more than the standard Ace and even more than a Jaguar XK140. Still, more than half of the 723 buyers chose the Bristol variant, making it the most sought-after.

At the end of the production period, a small series of Aces was equipped with a 2.6-liter Ford Zephyr engine, developed by Ruddspeed and fitted with a 12-port aluminum cylinder head. Only 36 of these were built, making this the rarest version.

BEX 421: an exceptional and richly documented specimen
This particular car, chassis number BEX 421, was delivered new to Ets Chardonnet in Paris on May 1, 1958. The first owner, Jean Balaresque, registered the car on May 14, 1958. The original specification was light blue metallic with red interior and a beige soft top, exactly as the car looks again today.

In 1963, the car came into the hands of Boutkil Abdelhouhab, also in Paris. During his ownership, the car was involved in an accident in Italië. The damage was professionally repaired by Carrosserie Delvalet in March 1964, replacing the front end with a Zephyr-style nose that is still present. The car was sold to Nicolas Gilles that same year and subsequently changed hands four more times, including again Gilles himself.

On April 20, 1995, BEX 421 was purchased by current owner Alain Mauboussin, founder of the French AC Owner’s Club and owner of the eponymous jewelry house on Place Vendôme in Paris. He remained its owner for 27 years and enthusiastically participated in numerous historical events in Europe and Asiaë including:

Restoration, upgrades and maintenance
BEX 421 was fully restored in the ’80s by J.C. de Penfentenyo. In 2006, the car was repainted in the original color light blue metallic (previously metallic green). A modern BMW five-speed transmission was fitted for improved driving comfort and reliability, but the original Bristol BWCR9 transmission is still present and included.

The car appeared in an article by José Rosinski in September 2003 in Auto Rétro.

Documentation
BEX 421 has extensive documentation, including:

Auction result and valuation
During the Bonhams auction at Knokke-Heist (Le Zoute), BEX 421 was offered as lot 116. Due to its exceptional condition, rich history and long-term ownership, it attracted a lot of interest. The car sold for €310,500.

In concours condition, the value of an original, matching numbers AC Ace Bristol is usually estimated between €300,000 and €400,000, with outliers up to €500,000 for specimens with special history or racing history.

Summary specifications

Conclusion
The AC Ace Bristol BEX 421 is a rare example of British sports car perfection from the postwar era. Its refined engineering, timeless design, rich history and impressive rally history make it a centerpiece within any classic car collection. Ready for participation in prestigious rally’s and concours, with all the features connoisseurs look for: matching numbers, demonstrable history, excellent condition and complete documentation.

A unique opportunity to acquire an icon.