1960 AC Ace Bristol

Chassis: BEX 1093

Previous single ownership for 53 years

Ordered in Rouge Iris (code 1155) and Brown leather (code VM 3425) with black hood and tonneau cover BEX 1093 left Thames Ditton Works to London Docks on 21 July 1959, dispatched to Imperial Motors Ltd, Chicago, Illinois to its first owner, the sports car enthusiast and real estate developer, Frank C Rand III of 240 Green Bay Road, Hubbards Woods, Illinois.

Frank C Rand III had a taste for competition; a notable competitor within the SCCA series that saw him racing during the mid-50's and early 60's. He was a notable winner driving a Porsche 356 during the '56 season where he gained a number of podium finishes. And the same again in the '57 season racing a Chevrolet Corvette. The seasons of '61 and '62 he competed in a Porsche 718 RS 60 and a '58 Ferrari. His last recorded race being 17 June 1962.

It was also at the time that Frank Rand dispatched BEX 1093 to a small independent sports car garage in Deerfield, Illinois, a mere 7 miles from where he was residing in Hubbards Woods.

Two years after leaving the Works in Thames Ditton, BEX 1093 entered into new ownership, its new custodian a second owner being David K Vanco. Mr Vanco was to keep the Ace for 53 years.

BEX 1093 was actively campaigned at the Meadowdale Raceway, Carpentersville, Illinois, a 3.27 mile (5.26 km) long track with a steep 180 degree curve, known as the Monza Wall. It was this infamous 'Monza Wall' that accounts for the battle scars that the Ace wears to this day to the rear wheel arches when BEX 1093 touched the Wall! After his racing exploits came to a head, BEX 1093 was to be laid-up for over 50 years whilst other projects took priority and life continued.

The present owner acquired the car in 2015 and mindful of the car’s incredible originality has painstakingly preserved its appearance. Underneath, however, the engine has been rebuilt by Steve Stanton and careful chassis work has also been carried out by specialists. BEX 1093 retains its interior and original cylinder head and is complete with a set of side screens and a hood and tonneau. It also has a single racing screen and a period fitted roll hoop.