AC Ace 2.6 Ruddspeed Project                     Registrat...

Estimate

£22,000 - £27,000

AC Ace 2.6 Ruddspeed Project                    

Registration Number: N/A
Chassis Number: N/A
Recorded Mileage: N/A

- Largely complete, with the exception of front clip and outer panels
- Supplied with rare Ford Zephyr 2.6 inline-six engine

Rare opportunity to produce an Ace to ultimate period specification 
Introduced in 1953, the AC Ace roadster and its closed Aceca coupe sibling were based on a chassis design by John Tojeiro, with four-wheel independent suspension and transverse leaf springs. The beautiful coachwork was inspired by early Ferrari barchettas.

With both AC’s own 2-litre six and the Bristol 2-litre motors ending production in the late 1950s, a limited series of Ace roadsters were powered by Ford’s 2.6-litre overhead-valve inline-six, as used in the Zephyrs and Zodiacs of the period. The 2.6 proved to be the best Ace of all, with up to 170 bhp from the Ruddspeed-tuned engines. The engine was more compact than the AC or Bristol sixes, whilst the bodywork was redesigned with a lower bonnet line and the deletion of the “mustache” character line seen under the headlamps of earlier Aces. This body style ultimately became the template for Shelby’s earliest leaf-spring Cobras.

On offer is a large collection of parts sourced to allow for the building of a Ford-engined AC Ace. The collection consists of a correct specification 2.6 Ace chassis frame, Ford 2.6 litre engine with triple SU carburettors, radiator, Jaguar overdrive gearbox, rear differential and a number of other items. Also included are suspension components such as front wishbones and uprights, rear suspension parts, front and rear leaf springs, front/rear brakes, hubs, shock absorbers, and four wider wheels. Bodywork comprises of original inner panels and floors to the boot area, with fittings such as seat frames, foot boxes, pedals, door locks, nudge bars, AC badges, fuel cap, instruments (speedo and rev. counter), switches, windscreen wiper motor and drive boxes, also front and rear lights. 

Using the above as a basis we understand it should be relatively straightforward to build up a rolling chassis, with a view to commissioning bodywork, paint and trim work to complete the project.

With restored 2.6 litre Aces routinely on the market for £250,000 and above, this exciting project gives the new owner the unique opportunity to build a genuine Ace to their ideal personal specification.

Notice to bidders: this project will be sold without title document on an auction bill of sale.