You may recognise this rare 1958 AC Ace. It was brought to us to sell by a long standing customer back in summer 2015 and was snapped up by new owner, Rick Holroyd, who had spent many visits to Le Mans Classic admiring the classic lines of the Ace.

Redline AC Ace restoration

“I’d been to Le Mans classic three times with a group of friends who had a range of classic cars. While I’d take my own modern sports cars over I‘d become more and more envious that I didn’t have a classic of my own. Every visit I’d spot Ace’s and they really stood out to me for their stunning lines and classic open top style.

“It was after the last visit one of my friends sent me a link to an Ace for sale on Redline’s website and I couldn’t resist a viewing. I was sold, but it was actually when I was in sunshine of Paxos a few days later, imagining driving the car around the sun drenched lanes, that I contacted Redline and finalised the purchase.”

The Ace was in good working order and originally Rick wasn’t considering work, but once collected he knew it was a car he would treasure and enjoy for many years, along with his three sons. He decided he wanted to have the car completely restored before it started life in his family and got back in touch with Redline to discuss a complete overhaul of the car.

In its past the AC had successfully competed in many Club and Continental competitions including taking the AC Owners Club awards on several occasions in the 1980’s, FIVA papers, competed in three Continental tours by the AC Owners Club in 83, 88 and 1989, competed in TOUR AUTO in 1989 and 1999. Still a head turner, it was one of the quickest Ace’s of its time, but it hadn’t been apart for a restoration or mechanical overhaul in some 50 years.

Few cars with this provenance have survived and the restoration team were delighted to return the car to its original performance and good looks with a full nut and bolt restoration.

Rick was keen to have the car restored to an authentic period colour. The car had spent most of its life in Rolls Royce Regal Red, so after completely stripping the car back to bare metal for remedial repairs the team decided to restore the car to Damask Red as it was the nearest authentic colour of that era still available.

Whilst apart the team undertook a complete suspension and mechanical rebuild along with a full overhaul to the engine, gearbox, differential and steering. The Ace also had a new wiring loom and its exterior fittings chrome plated.

AC Ace undergoing restoration

With a new body and finely tuned mechanics the finishing touches were added with a complete interior retrim with black leather seats and door trims, matching black carpets and restoration of the gauges back to their original condition.

AC Ace seat restoration

There was a key deadline to the restoration; to have the car ready for Rick to take to Le Mans Classic 2016.

“Each year we’ve visited we have stayed at a stunning private Château just south of the Le Mans track, rented to us by a lovely French lady. I had a feeling this may be the last year she would have it available for us and was desperate to be able to take the fully restored Ace to the Château and re-live our amazing visits there in my very own classic.”

The team hit their deadline and Rick was over the moon that the car was ready for its maiden voyage to Le Mans.

Original AC Ace restored

“Full credit to Neil and Peter at Redline for the work they put in. I couldn’t help but visit the workshop regularly to see how things were progressing and watching them in action, applying such skilled and authentic handcraftsmanship was such a pleasure. The trip was so special and the car was a real head turner.

“The Ace definitely has a long life with us, and my sons and I are enjoying regular road trips feeling like we’ve been transported back in time driving an authentic classic that looks and feels like it has just rolled out of the factory in 1958.”

AC Ace restoration