Sweet Six and the Classic Ace

Filed in archive AC Cars on April 2, 2006

Forgive me, cobra fans, but much as I admire Carroll Shelby's creation, I prefer its forerunner, the AC Ace. And that's why I'm delighted to note that the classic Ace is back in production as the Ace MK11, distributed in North America by Autosport Designs, Inc. The bodies are hand-formed from aluminum using the original wooden bucks and jigs, and are wrapped onto an original-style steel chassis. Power comes from a 2.5 liter straight-six engine producing 125 hp, mated to a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive. The interior is identical, other than a later-style steering column. So why do I take the Ace over the Cobra? Nostalgia partly, for my first exposure was at a hillclimb where a Bristol-powered version raced to victory. After which, the Ace's purity of design combined with the sweet sound of an inline-six was enough to make me a fan forever. Welcome back!