AC Aceca
The sophisticated grand touring sibling to the legendary AC Ace.
- Power
- 125 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 10.3 s
- Top speed
- 116 mph
- Est. value
- $100k–$225k
About the AC Aceca
The AC Aceca-Bristol is a hand-built grand tourer that combined John Tojeiro's advanced ladder-frame chassis with the high-performance Bristol 100D2 engine. As a fixed-head version of the Ace roadster, it featured a pioneering hatchback rear door and a more luxurious interior trimmed in leather and ash wood. The Bristol straight-six, derived from pre-war BMW designs, provided a significant performance boost over AC's own ageing powerplants, making the Aceca a formidable rally and road car. Its lightweight aluminium body and independent transverse leaf spring suspension delivered handling that was exceptionally agile for the 1950s.
AC Aceca specs
The AC Aceca produces 125 bhp (93 kW) and 167 Nm (123 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 10.3 seconds and has a top speed of 116 mph (187 km/h).
| Make | AC |
|---|---|
| Model | Aceca |
| Trim | Bristol |
| Years | 1956–1963 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Coupé |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 328 built |
| Original price | About $5,400 when new |
| Engine | 2.0-litre Bristol straight-six |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,971 cc (2.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 125 bhp (93 kW) at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 167 Nm (123 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 6,000 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 10.3 s |
| Top speed | 116 mph (187 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 962 kg (2,121 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 130 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is an AC Aceca worth?
A typical AC Aceca is estimated to be worth $100,000 – $225,000 (about £75,000 – £168,000).
Its original price when new was about $5,400.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
AC Aceca rarity in CarSpot
The AC Aceca is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
AC Aceca fun facts
- The Aceca was only the second car in history to feature a rear hatchback, following the 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4.
- To reduce noise and vibration in the cabin, AC mounted the Aceca's body on rubber bushings and used sound-absorbing fibreglass in the bulkhead.
- The Bristol engine's unusual valvetrain uses a single block-mounted camshaft with horizontal pushrods to operate the exhaust rockers across the cylinder head.
