1955 AC Ace 

This AC occupies a unique place in automotive history.  Purchased new in 1955 by the current owner, this car traveled the race circuit for the next dozen years, distinguishing itself in many races including winning its class at Sebring.  In 1960, the car’s original 6 cylinder engine was replaced by the newly introduced GM all aluminum block 215 cu.in. V8.  As the story goes, when this AC returned to the race track fitted with the race-prepared V8, it caught the attention of, among others, Carol Shelby when it posted seriously-faster lap times.  Whether inspired by this AC or just two great automotive engineering minds progressing down the same path at the same time, the Shelby Cobras made their appearance with the same AC body and chassis components as this ’55 but powered by the Ford 289 engine.  A legendary car was born whose impact on the automotive world is still felt almost 50 years later. 

The Classic Car Center was selected to restore this unique 1955 AC to its post-1960 configuration for the current vintage racing circuit.  In the pictures that follow we have documented the major steps in the restoration process.  The owner intends to use this one-of-a-kind AC as a vintage racer while also having it usable as a street legal sports car.  

We invite you to watch our website as we complete the final stages of our work which has spanned many months, consumed many hundreds of hours of labor, required the fabrication of numerous one-off parts and provided personal and professional satisfaction to both the original owner and to our staff.  We hope you find this car and its restoration of interest. 

Road Test Video

 

	As last raced in 1967		Engine compartment
	Body work & primer		Body work & primer
	Paint work started		Paint completed
	Awaiting rebuilt engine		Race-prepared Buick 215 cu. in. V8
	Dyno tested 300 h.p. engine installed		New fuel cell, pump & battery
	Dash Wiring		Dashboard with rebuilt gauges
October 30, 2008
	Tuning Weber carburetors prior to dyno test		100 mph on chassis dyno!