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Kirkham Motorsports

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Old 08-14-2018, 09:52 AM
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Default Blurring the Lines: 1956 AC Ace Cobra conversion

Interesting write-up on an AC Ace converted to a Cobra. Currently on eBay with a Buy-it-Now price of US $549,995.




Back in 1956, AEX 198 rolled off the production line as an alloy-bodied, transverse leaf-spring roadster finished in white with a green interior.

According to the best information we can source, AEX 198 was then imported into the U.S. by AC Imports in Arlington, Virginia. Sometime in the early ’60s, the car went under the knife, receiving many of the modifications Shelby made to the original AC Cobras. This Ace received the entire Cobra treatment, resulting in a convincing early FIA racer. The AC driveline was removed and replaced with a 271 hp Ford 289 HiPo engine and T-10 four-speed transmission with a reverse lock out. Just as Shelby did with the first Cobras, the E.N.V differential was replaced with a stronger Salisbury unit used in Jaguars of the day. Unlike the Cobras however, the rear in-board disc brakes were preserved on this car while they were moved outboard on Cobras to save money. The transverse leaf-spring front suspension was replaced with an MGB knee-action front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.

Read all about it (includes link to eBay ad): https://www.rcnmag.com/fresh-finds/b...ace-conversion
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:10 AM
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Well, as was stated in the description it's neither a Shelby, nor a AC any longer. It's a cobbled up wannabe, with ill fitting panels and cheap aftermarket parts/pieces.
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:18 AM
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It seems it could have been done better without much trouble. The price seems too close to a real cobra price.
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Last edited by t walgamuth; 08-14-2018 at 10:26 AM..
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:53 AM
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It has an interesting history, but I suspect the BIN price is high - much too high, and probably reflective of the reserve price. Bidding closes August 25 and it will be worth watching to see what it sells for - if it even sells. As of right now there are 6 'watchers' on eBay, but no bids.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Ace/183360776141
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Old 08-14-2018, 03:24 PM
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The snout opening looks all wrong and, like many FIA replicas, the ride height is jacked way up to keep the big undercar pipes off the pavement. I have nothing against turning Aces into Cobras, but not worth anywhere remotely close to $500K.
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Old 08-14-2018, 04:20 PM
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Neat car but at almost Cobra price?
I agree no longer Ace
Not a Cobra
It’s a rodded Ace with MG front end. My feeling value in the KMS catagory maybe slightly higher or thereabouts.
Think the rebody is nice, agree details were little cobbled together
Wonder what underside looks like.
My neighbor has four Ace’s and they are vastly lighter duty.
Also, outboard brakes on an Ace which by the way is not a cost saver when going outboard

For a guy like me a perfect car. For investment dunno
Cannot be a concours car
Cannot be in either Ace or Cobra class show
Can be easily registered as it’s still Ace
Guessing really fun....
Can be in a casual show with replicas

I like it, but I would change s few details without a doubt
6 years ago $80k
Now $550k phew

Somewhat remember this car in Ace body red selling for 42k circa 1998 or so ??
Have a picture in the barn, will go look

Last edited by 1985 CCX; 08-14-2018 at 04:55 PM..
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Old 08-14-2018, 05:16 PM
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Almost positive as I almost bought this car pre 2000
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Old 08-15-2018, 04:21 AM
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Seems a huge ask to me for what is essentially an Ace with a motor swap. Motor swaps in British cars usually decrease their value, not increase it five times. It's not a Cobra, at best a Cobra clone. Kind of like dropping a Hemi into a standard Challenger and calling it a Hemi Challenger.
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Old 08-15-2018, 05:06 AM
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for the asked price the car should be at minimum a perfect toolroom copy with FIA papers, not with wrong front suspension, wrong brakes, wrong foot boxes, wrong windshield angle, etc....

here is another ace>cobra conversion, a perfect built in every single detail,
recently sold in the price range around 350t $

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Old 08-15-2018, 07:49 AM
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Would be worth something if he had restored it to original AC Ace factory specs.
Now it is a frankenstein car; built with parts from all over the place.....
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Old 08-15-2018, 09:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterpjb View Post
for the asked price the car should be at minimum a perfect toolroom copy with FIA papers, not with wrong front suspension, wrong brakes, wrong foot boxes, wrong windshield angle, etc....

here is another ace>cobra conversion, a perfect built in every single detail,
recently sold in the price range around 350t $

IMO this is a far better car than the one currently offered on eBay. Considering it sold for $200K less than the eBay car, the eBay car seems grossly over-priced. Regardless, the car is worth as much as someone is prepared to pay for it, so I guess we'll have to sit back and watch how this plays out.
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Old 08-15-2018, 10:22 AM
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Indeed!
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Old 08-15-2018, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterpjb View Post
for the asked price the car should be at minimum a perfect toolroom copy with FIA papers, not with wrong front suspension, wrong brakes, wrong foot boxes, wrong windshield angle, etc....

here is another ace>cobra conversion, a perfect built in every single detail,
recently sold in the price range around 350t $

That is one beautiful Cobra!
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Old 08-16-2018, 06:30 AM
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here is another pic before the sale...

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Old 08-16-2018, 06:38 AM
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Looks nice. What is it worth? 300 to 400?
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Old 08-16-2018, 07:09 AM
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Quote:
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Looks nice. What is it worth? 300 to 400?
yes, asking price was 350
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Old 08-16-2018, 07:30 AM
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after sale Goodwood testing...

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Old 08-16-2018, 07:51 AM
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Nice paint!
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Old 08-16-2018, 08:03 AM
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As close as possible to CSX2128? 2128 never had side vents. Kidney bean wheels? Well, I drive the same ones and that are American Racing Salt Flat wheels, converted to use knock offs. They were the only chance a few years ago, before some companies produced Kidney bean wheels again. Some pics from 2012 Silverstone.
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Old 08-16-2018, 09:47 AM
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I had a 56 ACE. I bought it in DEC of 71 in Cal. It had already been repowered with an aluminum 215 cu.in. Oldsmobile V8 Cu. in. OLds , Pontiac, Buick each offered similar engines. Mine had the GM style distributer in front like a Ford. No hood scoop, flat windshield, no side louvers, drum brakes, Saulsberry rear differential IRS , 16 spline drive wheels. The frame flexed, the body cracked. The gas tank was relocated up and into the trunk and had rust scale in it. It had old narrow tires, Muncy 4spd trans, no side curtains or heater. But I used it as an everyday driver for 6 years in IOWA and western WASHINGTON STATE It was fun but not that comfortable. In the winters snow went in one side window and out the side. You couldn't lock it ,rain got in and puddled on the floor, breaking into a onramp the water went to the side and up by my feet, on the gas and the water went behind me. The new 15 in spline drive MG wheels were getting the splines worn over. The rear diff was a great pain to remove the side axle shafts with limited access room for wrenching while replacing oil seals. But it still was some fun, until a rear axle broke in 77. I didn't know any body or have resources to get it fixed quickly. Family situation pointed to ward a Toyota truck as the next move.
The ACE went to a great new home . Joe found out lots of information, what to do where to go, who had what , and fixed everything. The fix for the twisting frame was uncap the frame tubes and drive precision tubing inside , plug weld the original frame tube to the new precision tubing inside and at the ends and re cap the ends of the original frame tubes and at the ends. That fixed the flexing frame problem. JOE already had a 289 HI-Po engine in his shed when he bought it from me. Joe traded the 215 engine for powder coating the Ace frame. He later sent the car to Arizona and had a craftsman make a 289 Cobra front end body and then replace it, refitted the rear wheels body area and so on to resemble a 289 slab side . He replaced the suspension with Cobra parts from HI-TECH out of TEMPE ARIZONA to include a converted 9" Ford rear IRS and disc brakes all the way around and so on. WA state changed the law after I sold it to Joe about registering replicas and his ACE is already registered as a 56 ACE in WA. state. I know it isn't a true ACE any longer and not an original Shelby either, but still a way better car than it was, Its now dependable and even more fun to drive. As a mechanic I see the value of the changes. As Shelby said " historically warranted modifications"
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Last edited by Michael C Henry; 08-16-2018 at 03:00 PM..
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