THE AC ACECA—A BRITISH SPECIALIST’S GT 

“GRAN TURISMO,” R&T WROTE IN 1958, “is spelled the same way in England. Having previously tested the AC Ace open roadster in its two optional engine versions (R&T , October 1956 and April 1957) [see also here at SimanaitisSays]), we felt that the more sophisticated Aceca coupe might be interesting, but probably would produce no surprises. We were wrong.” 

A lovely sleek GT shape. This and other images from R&T, February 1958.

The Surprise. “In the first place,” R&T said, “the Aceca (pronounced A-see-ka) has all the good features of the roadsters, particularly as to handling qualities and performance. The surprise comes from the car’s totally unexpected smoothness, quietness and general all-around tractability.” 

A Favorite Engine of Mine. I’ve long admired the Bristol single-camshaft, overhead-valve, hemispherical-combustion-chamber inline-six,  a sorta reparation levied on BMW and its pre-war 326. Indeed, I liked it so much that I commissioned R&T Contributing Artist /pal Leo Bestgen to illustrate it.

Image by Leo Bestgen from R&T, December 2004.

Note the engineering elegance of articulating hemi-aligned overhead valves with a single camshaft nestled low in the block.

Aceca Engine Choices. “The particular version of this 6-cylinder Bristol engine in this car,” R&T notes, “is popularly described in its native England as a ‘cooking’ engine. Specifically, this is the B-type which develops 105 brake horsepower. The 125-bhp D-type Bristol can be ordered at no additional cost and would give a substantial performance increase in the higher speed ranges, albeit with some sacrifices at low rpm, accompanied with slightly more fuss and noise.” 

Three Solex carburetors reside between valve covers. 

R&T notes as well, “One can also order the Aceca with the aluminum block, single-overhead cam, 6-cylinder AC engine (90 bhp) with slightly reduced performance, but at a substantial savings in cost ($5495 list, or $1054 less).

Specialist Advantages. R&T observes, “One of the advantages of AC’s being a specialist firm (they do not make spark plugs) is their ability to make continuous changes and improvements. They build only 10 to 12 coupes per month and as soon as their own experience or owner’s reports indicate an area for improvement, it is done.”

IRS Surprises; Michelin X Radial Comments. “First,” R&T writes, “there is no need whatsoever to warn the uninitiated against ‘rear-end steering.’  Second, the ride is surprisingly harsh at low speeds. Steel-treaded Michelin X tires [radials, not traditional bias-ply designs] contribute to this as much as they do to the pleasing smoothness at higher miles per hour, and, of course, they play their part in the nearly miraculous road-holding.”

“A few ugly rumors,” R&T said, “have circulated to the effect that Michelin X’s are fine until they very suddenly reach the limits of their adhesion, and that it is then all over. The Aceca disproved this completely…. If you ever over-reach yourself in this car (in which case you are almost certain to kill yourself in another machine sooner or later), just remember to make corrections gently, and all will be well.”

Radials, note, were just making inroads on tradition bias-ply tires. In time, of course, they were to replace the latter universally. 

Al-Fin Drums. Another transition was occurring in retardation: drums to discs. “The 11-in. Al-Fin drums do away with fade even in abnormal circumstances,” R&T said, “aided by the center-lock wire wheels, which provide ample air circulation…. Disc brakes are now optional.”

Architecture, Old, New, and Varied. R&T noted, “Construction of the Aceca is far from usual practice in 1958.” Its chassis frame was of steel tubes, their diameters reflecting structural requirements. But there were also molded fiberglass reinforcements for the dash and panels of this material for the interior behind the seats. And, R&T notes, “One of the most modern-looking parts of the car, the wide-opening and very convenient tail, sticks with a tried-and-true British material, carefully fitted ash; the window itself is Perspex. Aluminum paneling cover this whole planned potpourri.”

Above, a potpourri of materials. Below, a full tool kit nestled in the spare. Carpet and a partition kept luggage from sliding forward.

Accommodations. “Few cars of this type,” R&T said, “have been more successfully detailed for comfort…. Driver and passenger sit in almost separate compartments, each bucket seat being of steel tubing with aluminum panels to support the thick foam cushions. Genuine leather, available in a number of colors, covers them, and each is adjustable through a 4.5-inch range.”

And So…. “Only an idiot would quarrel over the looks of the Aceca,” R&T enthused. “It has been mistaken for a Ferrari, and though it bears some similarity to the Aston Martin it has a little more artistic refinement—‘better surface development,’ or so say our designer friends.”

“This desirable coupe,” R&T concluded, “should continue to please its owner for many years, both in looks and in behavior.” 

And, just to time-travel a bit, what if Carroll Shelby had chosen an AC Aceca into which to wedge a Ford V-8? ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024