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AC Cars
, Auctions
by Philip Powell on November 18, 2007

You'll forgive me, I hope, if I feature one of my favorite sports cars in this blog. Since the AC Ace was the very car that Carroll Shelby chose as the basis for his Cobra my taste is in good company... although I prefer the 6-cylinder Ace Bristol to the ferocious Ford V-8. "Handling over power" is my mantra, even if such philosophy may not impress the 0-60 crowd. My first glimpse of an Ace Bristol (Bristol referring to the engine, itself based on a pre-war BMW) was at a hillclimb in southern Ontario. Perched on a safe viewing area halfway up the course I heard, before seeing, the white Ace Bristol driven by Peter Hayes. With a sound that only a jazz tenorman could replicate and a shape that only an artist could paint, Peter oversteered his Ace through the gravel road's curves, winning a class victory. It left an indelible impression. The Ace Bristol featured here can be purchased at the H&H buxton sale in England on November 21. This particular AC was owned by Ken Rudd, who built the famed Ruddspeed performance add-on organisation. Rudd finished 7th overall in an Ace Bristol at LeMans in 1959. Classic Driver magazine made me aware of this opportunity but I'd be happy with a 1:24 model. "Dream on," she said.
Tags:
Ford
Cobra
AC
Ace
Bristol
Shelby
classic
vintage
antique
collector
old
car
cars
automobile
bristol
c
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/102610
Mr Wong
Vote for Ace Bristol, Father of the Cobra, a Tempting Prize in UK Auction:
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Rating: 9.00 out of 3 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Harley Ferguson
(11/19/07 5:03am)
Response from:
Philip
(11/19/07 11:31am)
You're probably right about the 289, Harley, but even a few pounds affects the handling and besides, I have a soft spot for inline sixes. As for suicide doors, they require extra fittings to keep them secure in a crash. No one cares about cost with concept cars, however when manufacturing is involved, the bean counters get in the way.
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On a completely different, and not only classics, subject do you have any idea why suicide doors are so popular onconcept cars, but seldom make it into production?