How it's done. I've watched this one for a while. Fiberglass reinforced nose when it came in. Historical photos and research
have paid dividends. It's already beautiful.
https://www.gassmanautomotive.com/re...c-ace-bristol/
Printable View
How it's done. I've watched this one for a while. Fiberglass reinforced nose when it came in. Historical photos and research
have paid dividends. It's already beautiful.
https://www.gassmanautomotive.com/re...c-ace-bristol/
Thanks for sharing.
Which car is it?
A friend of mine owns BEX1192, also a former LM competitor (and also TdF,...).
Edit: AE205, maybe?
..interesting post. Auto Carriers (AC) has a long but patchy history.
Coincidentally given my interest in cars for a while I worked in a business that was based at the famous Ferry Works Thames Ditton in Surrey. By then not AC. Nice view over Thames to Hampton Court and the homes on island on Thames accessible only by footbridge or by boat.
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Little changed since 1955 when AC were in the ferry Works behind Ye Olde Swan on the photo available in the link.
https://www.francisfrith.com/thames-...-c1955_t103018
That is the Thames immediately behind the pub in picture. The Tudor era Hampton Court Palace / lands occupies all other side of Thames at this point in river. No cafe on site at the Ferry Works so our lunch was usually in Ye Olde Swan or a nice sandwich shop in the High Street where AC once had another factory.
That's the Ferry Works behind the pub. Converted to office and light industrial after AC; won award. Company there used to make loudspeakers in one of the units. We were doing work for ABC Network TV out of there at the time and sleepy suburban Thames Ditton was quite a contrast from time spent in their one time HQ in midtown on Ave of Americas NYC doing client onsite work!
Thames Ditton is pleasant but quiet little place just down the road from Brooklands but most folks blast past both on the A3 /Kingston upon Thames bypass. If anyone doing the Hampton Court tourist thing pop to Ye Olde Swan for a pint, probably a mile away. Or do a boat trip taking in Windsor, King John's Magna Carta signing place at Runnymead and Hampton Court Palace. Culture for the family and pint /ploughman's lunch next to AC cars old factory for the petrolhead :) Not stopped-off at pub despite passing often over decades since but imagine pub is unchanged.
Journey to my workplace there happened to take me right past the Cooper Works Surbiton. Lot of automotive and motorsport history in that smallish area for a petrolhead.
AC Ferry WorksThames Ditton well before my time
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Eclectic product range
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Distinctive shape and blue colour " invacar short for Invalid carriages" as they were termed in the day were a lucrative government contract for AC from late forties through to 70s:
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1067279
Designed by AC and built for government. Take a look at the engine bay picture in the rare survivor shot. Dating from 1948 an AC with an aircooled Villiers engine in rear :). A market significantly enlarged by many injured servicemen returning from fighting the Nazi / Axis powers. Owned by government and distributed free ( later leased) to deserving cases most Invacars were scrapped by HM Government when the design was no longer deemed as not meeting safety standards.
Circa 73 this was quite big manufacturing site in the High Street of what is a small picturesque Surrey Thames-side village
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For folks who enjoy engineering history, the Ferry Works predates AC being previously the site of the predominant steam engine of its era; a sufficiently notable event to be awarded a blue plaque reserved for historical sites if intetedt in the UK.
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There is another plaque at the Ferry Works commemorating AC moving there in 1911 any the exploits of the marque in motorsport. Not open to visitors but Brooklands museum with the first racing track, museum and long British aerospace history ( as well as not without irony a modern Mercedes World) is a short drive away.
The separate sprawling high street building was redeveloped for housing but mercifully the Victorian era character of the Ferry Works have saved it and the award winning sympathetic redevelopment of that site was very pleasant as a workplace in my experience.
No surprise the main factory was flattened and turned to residential given prices of property in Surrey; prime London commuter belt into Waterloo.
By 1963...
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Earlier days...
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Much fuss is made about the Ferrari marque but Auto Carriers Ltd (AC) was established in 1901 when Enzo was only three and it even predates Alfa Romeo. Ferrari and Alfa parent FIAT was only couple years older than AC at time it was founded so pleasing there is interest in these niche but characterful old British marques and their racing history on this forum.
AC in 1901... The Carrier bit was self evident !
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A little progress in just over 60 years to arguably it's high point:
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A(nother) story of power of transatlantic collaboration as the Ford Vs Ferrari stuff is given the "Hollywood treatment".
Steve
My buddy maintained, and sometimes drove, this one for his client for years..... :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by 928cs
It had a Bristol engine installed very early and wears "BE205" over the original 205 on an angle so the original
205 can be seen.
The long term owner used it as a daily drive before putting it away for a VERY long hibernation.
"AE 205 has been prepared in Worthing workshop first (Bristol engine, front discs brakes, side short exhaust, special fuel tank, rear axle ratio for high speed track with 16" wheels...etc). The Ace then went back to Thames Ditton where the front was restyled for a better air penetration, an air scoop + side vents were added."
"AE 205 was sold then in USA and raced in SCCA in 1958."
https://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum...?topic=1363.30
Going back to the roots...in 1957.
"All of you must have Tony Bancroft and Rinsey Mills books in their bookcase. The aim of this forum is not to rewrite the history.
I already spoke about Ken Rudd in this page, thanks to him for his commitment in Le Mans challenge.
AE 205 has been prepared in Worthing workshop first (Bristol engine, front discs brakes, side short exhaust, special fuel tank, rear axle ratio for high speed track with 16" wheels...etc). The Ace then went back to Thames Ditton where the front was restyled for a better air penetration, an air scoop + side vents were added.
Derek Hurlock drove the car to Le Mans.
A word about the drivers, Ken Rudd drove the car and it was its only participation at the 24 Hours as a driver.
Peter Bolton was the second driver, quite a long story for him in Le Mans.
- 1956, Jaguar XK140: disqualified
- 1957, AC Bristol: 10th
- 1958, AC Bristol: 8th
- 1959, Triumph TR3: withdraw
- 1960, Triumph TR3: not in classification
- 1961, Triumph TR4: 9th
- 1962, TVR: withdraw
- 1963, AC Cobra: 7th
- 1964, AC Cobra: withdraw
- 1965, Triumph Spitfire: withdraw
You will find some marvellous pictures in Steve Gray website here:
http://www.acheritage.co.uk/kenrudd1957lemans.html. (DEAD LINK)
Peter Bolton pictures are not frequent, this one was taken in Le Mans 1963 nearby Stirling Moss waiting for Cobra 39PH pit stop. You can also notice Carroll Shelby a little bit further with a cap."
Thanks for the information.
So, AE205 was renamed BE205 when the Bristol engine was installed, instead of the AC engine. It makes sense.
If i remember correctly, a X into the chassis number indicates an eXport car, so LHD instead of RHD.
This is a very interesting car, indeed :cool:
Coming along now. Holidays slowed things down but a lot has happened since I last saw it. Floors, cockpit, trunk and engine compartment are covered in aluminum now. Not Fred Flintstone's car anymore. ;)
Halda Speedpilot is as it was in '57 and correctly date coded 1957. Watkins Glen Grand Prix '58 Tech Inspection decal present and now protected!
Just WOW !!!!!!
Truly amazing!
Took a lot of photos on Friday. Here's one that I especially like. Awaiting the "war reparations" Bristol (BMW 328) engine.