LONDON.- Supplied new to America and thought to have been raced over there, this stalled 1958 AC ACECA Bristol project was imported to the UK by the vendor in 2016.

With much work already done it now needs some serious hours and lots of love. H&H are indebted to the vendor for the following information: The car left AC's Thames Ditton factory in LHD configuration on 12th April 1958 with engine number 100D786. It was consigned to Procter Cars U.S.A and originally finished in White with Red upholstery.

Early ownership is not recorded although the Aceca is believed to have been raced. In 1976 the Coupe was in the care of a Mr T.A. Brown of Tyler, Texas and its last U.S. keeper was Glenn Barnett from Houston.

Purchased in 2016 by the vendor from the States less engine and gearbox as a project, a Bristol 100D engine was obtained together with a correct gearbox and both units totally refurbished albeit the engine awaits reassembly. A stainless exhaust was acquired together with a set of original instruments.

As often happens, other more pressing projects have taken precedence and the car is now for sale and is, we understand, complete with the exception of the front footwells, handbrake lever, dash panel and switches.

John Markey of H&H Classics says: “Now commanding serious money amongst enthusiasts, this represents a rewarding project in all senses of the expression.”

ANOTHER WORLD RECORD WAITING TO BE BROKEN?

In March this year at another H&H Classics live online auction another Bristol restoration project – a 1960 AC ACECA Bristol owned by the late Terry Harrison – sold for a world record of £101,200. The question now is will this new arrival from Texas top that?

Terry Harrison’s Princess Blue 1960 AC Aceca Bristol had been off the road for decades. Partially disassembled, it was nevertheless highly original and as such prompted a bidding war which saw it sell for a record breaking £101,200 (the highest auction price ever achieved by an Aceca Bristol restoration project).