AC Aceca
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The Aceca (pronounced "A-See-Ka") was a closed coupe from AC Cars, produced from 1954 through 1963. The similar Bristol-engined Aceca-Bristol was also available starting in 1956. Both were hand-built GT cars in the British tradition, with ash wood joining steel tubing in their construction. One notable feature was the hatchback at the rear, making the Aceca only the second car, after the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4, to incorporate this element.
The main difference between the Aceca and Aceca-Bristol was the engine. Both were straight-6es, but the Aceca shared its 90 hp (67 kW) 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) engine with the lighter AC Ace, while the Aceca-Bristol used a 125 hp (93 kW) "D-Type" 2.0 L (1971 cc/120 in³) unit sourced from Bristol Cars. The Aceca-Bristol was also available with a milder "B-Type" Bristol engine of 105 hp (78 kW). The Bristol specification added $1000 to the Aceca's $5,400 price tag in the United States.
151 Acecas and 169 Aceca-Bristols were built when production (and all of AC Cars) halted in 1963.
Enthusiasts boast of other features, too. The front-end styling of the Ace and Aceca reportedly traces back to a design done by Pina Farina for AC in the late 40s. The curves are exquisitely executed along the long "bonnet" and around the headlights and simple grill. Exceptional light weight (owing to tubular frame, aluminum engine block and aluminum body panels), large 16" spoked wheels, and almost perfect fore/aft weight distribution allowed exceptional handling on loose, dirt tracks. Front-wheel disc brakes, transverse "de Dion" leaf rear suspension, articulated rear half-axles, worm-gear steering, electronic overdrive in 2nd, 3rd & 4th gear, curved windshield, and well-designed leather bucket seats all added to the superb engineering exemplified by AC in this 1950s vintage auto.
The AC engine was also an engineering marvel for the 1950s. Patterned after the powerful Bristol aircraft engine, this inline 6, aluminum block, overhead cam, double-chain drive is fueled by 3 inline SU downdraft carburators, each feeding two cylinders. Directly opposite are 6 straight-out header pipes, allowing the combustion gases to enter the cylinder, do one rotation during combustion and exit oppositely, straight-out, without resistance. Unloaded, the engine has a very responsive, open throat.
One who has driven many thousands of miles in an Aceca reports that the car is a true pleasure to drive. It rides a bit hard, owing to the stiff suspension, but that gives excellent feel of the road. It holds well in corners, perhaps slightly prone to oversteer, but solid and predictable. The narrow wheelbase is noticeable, though. On the downside, the 90HP engine is a bit "doggy" on the low end, so 0-60 is not exceptional (however, passing was never a problem, because one could drop to a high-rev in 2d or 3rd for the early acceleration and then simply click in the overdrive to get the passing boost). Other weaknesses include inadequate rear mirrors, even though the hatchback window affords a large rear view, a heating system that might pass muster in Britain but isn't suited for New England winters, and inadequate soundproofing for easy passenger conversation when cruising above 75mph for long distances. The gear-shift is more solid than smooth, doing well going up, but requiring double-clutching coming down into the low gears, as there is no synchro-mesh.
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