One to Buy: ex-Lloyd Casner 1957 AC Ace Bristol
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Although the Ace and Aceca proved themselves formidable competitors right out of the box, their obvious weak spot was an engine that could trace its origins all the way back to 1919. Nevertheless, a combination of light weight, superb handling and uncomplicated underpinnings temporarily masked the almost prehistoric nature of AC’s less than state-of-art two-litre inline six.
Fortunately, a solution to keep both models at the head of their classes was found in the shape of Bristol’s Type 100 motor after engineering maestro, Ken Rudd, began to campaign his privately built car in early 1956. Having witnessed Rudd’s immediate success, AC’s owners struck a supply deal and the Bristol engine became the premier option for both Ace and Aceca from mid 1956.
One partnership that aspired to compete at the head of the SCCA’s highly competitive under two-litre class of the time was that of Americans Lloyd “Lucky” Casner, Jim Hunt Jr. and David Lane who took delivery of Ace Bristol chassis BEX 310 which is currently on the market with Rory Henderson in South West London.
Dispatched on May 28th 1957, BEX 310 was pressed into immediate action following its arrival in the US, being raced by Casner, Hunt Jr. and Lane until early 1959. During that time, it perhaps most notably collected a second place finish at the Bahamas Speed Week TT Preliminary contest at the end of 1958.
BEX 310 was then sold to its second custodian during 1959. The years that followed saw it contest multiple autocross events before a V8 engine and solid rear axle were fitted and the Ace took to America’s drag strips.
In 1973, the car was placed in storage where it remained until acquisition by its current custodian during 2019. Once repatriated to the UK, BEX 310 was totally restored back to its 1957 trim. Completed in 2024, the car presents beautifully in its original Old English White with Oxford Blue and Cambridge Blue stripes while a period-correct 100D Bristol engine was sourced and the original suspension tower and leaf spring configurations were reinstated.
