Registration No: 180 GPJ
Chassis No: BE681
MOT: Exempt

• 1 of just 88 Bristol-powered Acecas made in right-hand drive and 1 of only 48 fitted with the 100D2 engine
• Matching chassis, engine and gearbox numbers and pleasingly retaining its original registration number
• Fitted with desirable overdrive and disc brakes
• Subject to a recent, body-off, cosmetic restoration and repaint
• Offered with a large history file including several MOT certificates and a large collection of invoices
• Expenditure of some £135,000 during the current ownership (since 2010)
• Finished in Red (as manufactured) and complemented by a Black leather interior

Introduced in 1954, the AC Aceca fastback was conceived as a more refined alternative to the company's seminal Ace roadster. Developed by Alan Turner and Desmond Stratton, the new model augmented its open-topped sibling's ladder-frame chassis with an elegant square-tube superstructure. Boasting a generous glasshouse, sensuous roofline and practical side-hinged rear hatchback, the Aceca's Grand Touring credentials were more than skin deep as proven by its all-round independent transverse-leaf suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

The Aceca was expensive at £1215 (with a Jaguar XK140 was in comparison a bargain at £1140) but undercut more exotic coupes such as the Aston Martin DB2/4 at £1925 or the Bristol 404 at £2350. Initially powered by the John Weller designed 1991cc OHC straight-six which had been a staple part of AC production since 1919, the arrival of an alternative 1971cc Bristol engine in February 1956 gave performance more akin to that of the contemporary DB2/4 Aston Martin. The venerable two-litre straight six AC engine used in the first incarnation, while smooth and tractable, did not allow the potential of the chassis to be fully exploited; this was remedied with the option of a similarly configured Bristol engine. The 100D2 version with a 9:1 compression ratio produces 128 BHP at 5750rpm, sufficient for a top speed in excess of 125 mph and is generally considered to be the most desirable variant.

One of just 88 right-hand drive Aceca-Bristols manufactured, ‘180 GPJ’ is one of the 48 that left the factory with a 100D2 engine. Delivered new on the 18^th of September 1958 via Anthony Crook Motors to the first owner in Lincolnshire, as confirmed by a letter from AC Cars Ltd, this matching chassis and engine numbers Aceca was originally finished in Imperial Crimson with light Grey leather trim. Unfortunately, nothing else is known of the early history but the car resurfaced in the early 1980’s and with support from the AC Owners Club, the original registration number ‘180 GPJ’ was reissued on a non-transferable basis. Provided comprehensive engine work (completed by TT Workshops) and both frame and suspension refurbishment by Rod Jolley Coachbuilding upon resurfacing. Following a change of ownership, the car was reassembled by an enthusiastic amateur working to a budget and returned to the road in 2005.

It reportedly drove well, meriting further extensive, body-off, professional restoration and a repaint in Red, in line with the original colour scheme. In its current incarnation, the car retains its original engine and gearbox (the drivetrain having been uprated with the addition of a J-type overdrive), is fitted with front disc brakes (non-servo as original), has a period-style Webasto sunroof and inertia reel seat belts. Following restoration, the car has been recommissioned to the point of driveability but minor works are still outstanding including interior trim (carpets, door seals), fine-tuning of tracking, carburettor set-up, and plumbing of the heater (box with refurbished matrix already in place). A partial tool kit in a replica wooden tool tray, copper and hide mallet, spinner tool, and scissor jack are included in the sale.

Records accompanying the Aceca include a substantial history file with photos going back across the tenure of previous owners; a comprehensive spreadsheet detailing all work carried out during the most recent restoration; invoices for work carried out; a photocopy of the Bristol 2-Litre Engine workshop manual; a reprint of the owner’s handbook; MOT certificates for the period 2005-2010; and a current V5C, which will require an amendment to reflect the current colour scheme. During his ownership, the vendor (a long-standing AC and Bristol enthusiast) has invested some £135,000 into the Aceca during his twelve-year ownership.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452