The return of the AC Ace and Ace Bristol

The AC Ace and Ace Bristol are back in as part of the newly formed AC Cars Classics division.

While AC is most commonly known for the Cobra, the AC Cars Classics division has been established to honour some of AC’s most memorable models from its 123-year history and focuses on two iterations of the iconic sports car.

Mixing Old and New

The original AC Ace was in production from 1953 - 1963, with its modern reincarnation set to arrive in the summer of 2025. While capturing the design of the original, the new AC Ace Classics will be created using modern building methods, seeing a modern powertrain fitted seamlessly into an original type chassis, although built with a new steel tubular frame.

Carbon fibre has been used for the bodywork, giving the Ace models an overall weight of 1,100kg. The original Aces were powered by a series of different engines, including a 2.0 litre AC, Bristol 2.0 and modified Ford Zephyr 2.6.

This time, a fuel-injected 2.3-litre straight-4, Ford-sourced EcoBoost engine will power the cars and develop ‘in excess’ of 300bhp and 375Nm of torque, all controlled by a six-speed manual gearbox. AC says the Ace will achieve 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, although we haven’t been told of a top speed yet.

Racing Success

This year marks 70 years since the AC Ace’s debut in racing. In 1959, five years after its debut, Le Mans success came when an AC Ace Bristol finished first in the 2-litre GT class and seventh overall behind six 3-litre cars. The AC Ace also found success on US soil, winning the Sebring 12 hour race three years running as a privately owned car.

David Conza, CEO of AC Cars, said: “The new AC Ace and Ace Bristol Classics prove that a classically styled car can have outstanding performance and handling. Returning to the themes of light and powerful, the work of AC Cars Classics in the engineering of these cars demonstrates our ability to delicately blend grace with modern ability.”

Order books are now open, with prices for the AC Ace and Ace Bristol Classic starting from £175,000. Deliveries are expected to begin in summer 2025 and each car will bear an official chassis number to confirm their status as a ‘Real’ AC.

READ: ‘AC Cobra GT Roadster Debuts at Le Mans Classic’
READ: ‘First ever AC Cobra coupe set for production’

words: Mike Booth
pictures: AC Cars