2009 AC Ace by Hawk

For sale by auction on Saturday 30 November 2013 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
British racing driver Ken Rudd constructed the very first
Ace-Bristol and his hybrid was quickly adopted by the AC
factory and replaced AC's two litre powerplant. First shown
in Autumn 1956. the AC Ace-Bristol and the companion AC
Aceca-Bristol were in production by the Spring of 1957.
Because it was not only more powerful than AC's own engine but
capable of a lot more power-tuning. the Bristol unit made these
cars. especially the Ace. much more suited for competition. From
1961. the option of a 'Rudspeed' upgrade 2. 6
straight-six engine. using triple Weber or SU
carburettors became available. This unit in some tuned forms
would generate upwards of 170bhp. However the late Caroll Shelby
had by this time installed a big American V8 onto an AC
Ace chassis and very quickly AC's focus was almost
entirely redirected towards the new AC Cobra which
launched in 1962. Production of the AC Ace finished the same year
with only 37 of the 2. 6 litre Ace's manufactured.

Today. the AC Ace is possibly one of the most
quintessential British sports cars. Exuding finesse from every
angle. these agile roadsters with racing pedigree are
widely regarded as one of the most elegant and characterful British
designs of the period. Original examples are now commanding
substantial premiums and for this reason. high quality
recreations of the original have a dedicated
following. Over the past 20 years. British manufacturer 'Hawk'
have built themselves an international reputation as the best in
the business when it comes to AC replicas. Their AC Ace. 289 Cobra
and 427 Cobra reproductions have achieved many accolades and to
many. are accepted as being the truest to the original form and
depending upon detailed specification. also reproduce an authentic
and comparable driving experience. Founder Gerry Hawkridge is
acknowledged globally as an AC guru. so much so that when you visit
the collection of outbuildings at their premises there
is usually a genuine Cobra and/or Ace or two on site for
maintenance.

This AC Ace by Hawk was completed by an aircraft engineer who
had over 30 years of experience restoring a variety of British
sports cars to high standards. Finished in British Racing Green and
fitted with a totally rebuilt 2. 5 Litre Triumph TR6 engin. br/>mated to a Triumph GT6 manual 4-Speed gearbox with overdrive
(reconditioned by Hardy's of Leatherhead) plus new clutch and
flywheel. this car's specification closely matches the
higher performance original late production AC Ace. It also
benefits from '123' electronic ignition and triple 40 Weber
Carburettors by Webcom. high pressure fuel pump. Pacet fans
and an oil cooler (not piped). Hydraulic brake and clutch pedals
were supplied by Gerry Hawkridge. Sports seats in black by Merlin
Motorsport and instrumentation by Caerbont. The front axle is MGB
with uprated discs and pads and the exhaust front end uses
Stainless Steel TR6 downpipes mated to bespoke middle and rear
sections also in Stainless Steel. The engine note is very
pleasing and performance brisk. The vehicle is generally in
'as new' condition and so the power delivery. transmission. br/>handling and braking performance is described as excellent. The car
comes with black tonneau cover. five months road fund
licence and an 11 month MoT test certificate. This hugely
attractive and virtually 'as new' example of a rare and
desirable collectable is certain to deliver many hours of
thrilling motoring to its next owner.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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