Evaluation: Represented as matching numbers, restored under prior ownership, and bought by Ponder from Skip Barber (in 2009, for $192,500 at RM Monterey). Engine rebuilt in 2018. A proven rally/tour car used on the Colorado Grand and California Mille. Good paint with some small bubbles on the crease around the hood scoop. Some black paint has chipped off the Bristol badge on the nose. Lovely interior with light wear on the steering wheel. A handsome, genuine Bristol eligible and ideal for all sorts of prestigious driving events.
Bottom Line: With class wins at Le Mans plus National Championships in SCCA E-, D- and C-Production, the AC Ace with its raspy, potent Bristol engine would be a highly respected and very valuable collector car even if it had never spawned the Shelby Cobra. And with a docket full of other nice British sports cars, this attractive and usable Ace seemed poised to sell for plenty of money. But it didn’t. This price is #3-/#4+ money and it bought a car that is decidedly better than that.
