AC Aceca
| Aceca | |
|---|---|
 1958 AC Aceca | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | AC Cars |
| Production | 1954–1963 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Related | AC Ace AC Greyhound |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 or 2.6 L I6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 90 in (2,286 mm)[1] |
| Length | 153.5 in (3,899 mm)[1] |
| Width | 61 in (1,549 mm)[1] |
| Curb weight | 2,120 lb (962 kg) |
The Aceca (pronounced "A-See-Ka") is a closed coupé from the British AC Cars company, produced from 1954 until 1963. The car originally had an AC engine but the similar Bristol-engined Aceca-Bristol was also available alongside the original from 1956 to 1963 when production of that engine ceased. A few cars were built from 1961 to 1963 with a 2553 cc tuned Ford Zephyr engine and sold as the Aceca 2.6.
Overview
[edit]Based on the open two-seat AC Ace, the Aceca was a hand-built grand tourer in the British tradition, with ash wood and steel tubing used in their construction. One notable feature was the hatchback at the rear, making the Aceca only the second car, after the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4, to incorporate this element.
151 Acecas, 169 Aceca-Bristols and 8 Aceca 2.6es had been built when production halted in 1963.[2] As with the Ace, AC used chassis numbers beginning with AE for AC-engined cars, BE for Bristol-engined ones, and RS for those equipped with the Ford unit. An "X" following the first two letters indicated an export model.[3]
The main difference between the Aceca and Aceca-Bristol are their engines. Both are straight-six engines, but while the base Aceca uses AC's own 90 hp (67 kW), 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) overhead camshaft engine, the Aceca-Bristol has a 125 hp (93 kW) "D-Type" 2.0 L (1,971 cc; 120.3 cu in) unit from Bristol Cars. The Aceca-Bristol was also available with a milder "B-Type" Bristol engine of 105 hp (78 kW). In the UK, the basic car cost £1722.[4]
The styling of the Ace, which the Aceca is based on, is generally believed to have been inspired by, or a direct copy of, the Ferrari 166 MM barchetta.[5][6] The car is rather light owing to a tubular frame, aluminium engine block and aluminium body panels. Large 16" spoked road wheels and near 50/50 weight distribution allowed exceptional handling on substandard road surfaces. Later Acecas feature front-wheel disc brakes (added in 1957), while all share transverse leaf spring IRS, articulated rear half-axles, worm-gear steering, an optional overdrive on second, third and fourth gears, curved windscreen, and leather-covered bucket seats. The suspension is independent at the front and rear using transverse leaf springs.
Aceca-Bristol
[edit] |
The in-line six Bristol engine fitted to the Aceca-Bristol was based on the BMW M328 engine of 1936, with a cast iron block and aluminium cylinder head. It has a single camshaft in the block, with pushrods running vertically to a rocker shaft on the inlet side of the cylinder head, and further horizontal pushrods running in 6 tubes across the top of the head to operate the exhaust rockers. The two inclined rocker covers give the engine an appearance similar to that of an overhead camshaft arrangement. Three inline Solex downdraught carburettors were bolted directly to the cylinder head casting using small adaptor plates.
AC Aceca Triumph
[edit]
On 2 July 1957, a single AC Aceca was completed with a Triumph engine installed as original equipment by the factory. The car has chassis number TAE 618, the prepended "T" standing for "Triumph", and was a prototype of a lower-cost option than the Bristol-engine Acecas, as AC sought a replacement for its Light Six engine which had reached the end of its development.[7][8]
Instead of a six-cylinder engine, TAE 618 is powered by the same version of the Standard wet liner inline-four engine that was used in the contemporary Triumph TR3 and TR3A. This engine displaces 2.0 L (1,991 cc; 121.5 cu in), and produces 100 hp (75 kW). The transmission is a four-speed unit, with overdrive on third and fourth. The car was finished in gunmetal grey for the body and red for the interior.[7][9]
The AC Aceca Triumph was the subject of a restoration that was made into series 4, episode 2 of the Car SOS television series.[8][9]
AC Aceca Bristol wide-body special
[edit]In 1959 AC completed a special one-off Aceca-Bristol. Visually this car is distinguished by its being four inches wider than a standard Aceca, and by the small arch extensions over the wheels. Mechanically it also dispenses with the transverse leaf suspension of the standard model in favour of a coil-over-damper suspension, and rack and pinion steering gear instead of the usual worm and sector system. Used extensively by Charles Hurlock after completion, it was informally known as "Mr. Charles' car".[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ Sedgwick, M.; Gillies.M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
- ^ Vasek, Paul R. "Ace (1953-1962)". The AC Home Page. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011.
- ^ Robson, Graham (2006). A-Z British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge & Sons. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- ^ "1953, AC Ace Prototype 'TPL 792'". ruoteleggendarie.com. 11 May 2020.
- ^ Lawrence, Mike (1991). A–Z of Sports Cars 1945–1990. Bay View Books. pp. 9–12. ISBN 1-870979-81-8.
- ^ a b "1957 AC Aceca". iconicauctioneers.com.
- ^ a b Sterling, James, ed. (18 December 2018). "History". ac-aceca.com.
- ^ a b "1957 AC Aceca". acheritage.com. 16 January 2025.
- ^ "1959 AC Aceca — Bristol (one-off version)". classicdriver.com. 18 September 2018.
External links
[edit]
- "1958 AC Aceca". conceptcarz.com. 24 March 2009.