AC Cars Classics reveals two 300PS reworked classics
AC will produce AC Ace and Ace Bristol sports cars under the newly formed AC Cars Classics division, returning Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer to its engineering heyday.
The new car comes as AC celebrates 123 years in existence, the 70th anniversary of its debut in competition, and the cars fought for position in the 1957 and 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1959, an AC Ace Bristol won the 2-litre GT class and came seventh overall behind six 3-litre cars.
With a 3-inch steel tubular chassis and a carbon fibre body, each car weighs just 1,100kg. Combine that with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine that’s been tuned and given uprated injectors and a new exhaust, and the resulting 300PS (220kW) and 375Nm (277lb ft) of torque is good for 0-62mph 4.6 seconds. Impressive, given that – yes – the cars only come fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
In theory, you should get modern handling and performance combined with the gorgeous looks of the classics, and that’s certainly how it looks for where we’re sitting.
The cars feature unique designs that “capture the halcyon days of roadsters” and reflect the evolution of the original AC Ace over its 10-year production run. However, they are made using cutting-edge building techniques.
For early AC Ace fans, the AC Ace Bristol Classic has an instantly recognisable ‘smiling face’. The second AC Ace Classic is inspired by the original car, with a streamlined front that was carried over to the first generation of AC Cobras.
Both models have rolling flanks and wheel arches with more shape than the original design. The carbon-fibre bodywork is made at the company’s UK facility and is solid yet light, following techniques learnt building the AC Cobra GT Roadster.
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 open now, with prices starting from £175,000, including VAT. Deliveries are expected for summer 2025.
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