One to Buy: 1 of 26 in RHD 1963 AC Ace Ruddspeed
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Having originally been offered with 85 to 102bhp versions of AC’s own two-litre inline six cylinder engine, from 1956 both the Ace and Aceca could be ordered with a Bristol power unit. The new option came about after Ruddspeed founder and AC agent, Ken Rudd, created his own Bristol-engined Ace which he raced with great success.
Although AC bought up a good stock of these new engines, when Bristol announced in 1960 that it was to discontinue production of the Type 100 motor, Kenn Rudd suggested his company could step in with an even more potent option: Ruddspeed versions of Ford’s contemporary 2.6-litre straight six tuned to produced between 120 and 170bhp.
Officially launched at the London Motor Show in October 1961, the Ruddspeed Ford engine was offered in four states of tune. In Stage 1 trim, the Ace and Aceca received a Ruddspeed-modified version of the existing head with polished ports and larger inlet and exhaust valves. A triple intake manifold was also fitted along with three SU H6 1.75-inch carburettors and a new exhaust system. Peak output was 120bhp at 5000rpm. The Stage 2 engine included lightweight pistons and produced 125bhp at 5500rpm.
In Stage 3 trim, Ruddspeed added a special Rubery Owen-made Raymond Mays Mk3 six-port aluminium cylinder head plus lightweight pushrods for 155bhp at 5500rpm. Customers could also request a ‘semi-Stage 3’ set up without lightweight pistons and pushrods which pumped out 140bhp at 5000rpm. The ultimate Stage 4 upgrade included everything already mentioned but with a bank of three Weber 40 DCOE2 carburettors instead of the normal SU items. Peak output in this configuration was 170bhp at 5500rpm.
Just 37 copies of the Ruddspeed-engined Ace were built by AC between 1961 and 1963, the 30th having been chassis RS5030 which will be going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale scheduled for August 12th to 14th.
Delivered to its first owner in 1963, RS5030 was one of the 26 right-hand drive Aces destined for the British domestic market. Still accompanied by its original UK logbook, the car features a replacement engine block but retains its original Raymond Mays head and optional Ruddspeed rocker cover. Said to have been restored to a high standard, chassis RS5030 has in recent years been used on the California Mille, Copperstate 1000 and Colorado Grand.
