WTB Ac Ace with V-8 engine

[Cargirl]

Looking to buy a lhd Ac Ace project or complete car with a 289 V-8 engine.

[88v8]

Well, it's good to be an optimist.

In the 70s I knew a chap had an Aceca with a Dart engine. Was a bit of a hack, but he used it as his regular car.

Best of luck in your search.

ivor

[mgb260]

Kelly, Are you talking about the fiberglass kit to convert the MGB? I have the original instruction and video for it.

[Moderator]

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask!  Welcome to BritishV8, Kelly.  

As far as I know, the "real" AC Aces were originally built with inline sixes. Less than 700 of those were made. I wonder what proportion were converted to V8. (Most of them?)  I only recall seeing one. It's in the Shelby museum, in Colorado. I didn't really look at because one of the GT40 MkIVs that raced at Le Mans in '67 was dominating my attention. AC sports cars are definitely out of my price range, and even if I had the scratch there are a whole lot of low volume British sports cars I'd rather own - Ginetta, Lotus, Elva, Turner, TVR, etc. - It's great that we all have different tastes. I hope you find a car you can get really excited about.

[Richard/SIA]

Make mine a Ruddspeed!

Saw one at an auction in the early 80's, unaffordable even then.

And probably the rarest of the rare.

[Cargirl]

Guys,

Thank you for your input.  I am looking for this car for a client.  I broker exceptional cars and have, in the last few months, had the pleasure of buying a Ginetta G4r, a Lotus Elite, an Ac Ace Bristol a Bristol 400 and an Arnolt Bristol for clients.  I have the best job in the world.  

I am actually looking for an Ac Ace that once had a Bristol engine or an Ace engine and now has a V-8.  If the Ace still has the original engine or even the correct engine I don't want it (well I do because I have clients for those too).  But I don't want to take a perfectly good car and convert it.

There was a period of time where enthusiasts thought they could just throw a 289 into an Ace and have themselves a Cobra.  Of course this was not the case as Carroll Shelby fortified the frame, changed the differential, the suspension, etc. to accommodate the bigger engine.  And with the home made jobs axles broke galore and after a lot of frustrating attempts I assume many were just garaged and forgotten about.  It is this little orphan I am looking for.

[Richard/SIA]

I think you are about twenty years late to find those laying around.

I remember when AC Coupes were dirt cheap, but the roadsters were not, even back then.