AC Aceca prototype on the road
Listen to the unique AC Aceca prototype on the road.
The prototype uses the 2-litre, in-line six, 100D2 Bristol engine, fitted by AC from March 1958. Breathing through 3 Solex Downdraft Carburettors The 100D2 is considered the most desirable of the Bristol engines and puts out 128bhp @ 5750rpm.
Interestingly the engine sits several inches further forward in the prototype than in the standard Aceca. Because of this, the car uses a ‘remote’ gear change linkage, as used by Frazer-Nash. The engine drives through a four-speed gearbox with overdrive, linked to a GKN differential.
Watch a video clip of this engine starting up
Behind the Aceca Prototypes wire wheels sit disks at the front and Alfin (Aluminium finned for improved cooling) inboard drum brakes at the rear. The suspension is coil-sprung, wishbones all around (later seen on the AC Cobra 289). Another quirk unique to the prototype is that it uses a Triumph Herald steering rack (also launched in 1959).
Performance figures for the AC Aceca prototype
The Aceca’s aluminium body panels are hand-formed over a tubular-steel framework. The doors and tailgate are timber framed. The tailgate design is more early hatchback than coupe, a feature it shares with the 1953 Aston-Martin 2/4. The fuel tank is mounted between the back axle and the back of the seats, providing excellent (near 50:50) weight distribution.