Looking for help with a history search

289ACE · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2007, 09:02 AM

Not sure if the right place to post this, but I'm sure someone will let me know if it should go elsewhere. I am trying to find some history on an AC Ace and while it is not a Cobra, it was supposedly owned by a Cobra owner so I though I would give this forum (and a couple of others) a try to see if anyone knows anything about the car.
Here is a link to a web page I put together on the car that gives what history I have on the car as well as showing some of the resto work that was performed;
http://members.impulse.net/~sfm081/i...v1History.html
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jay

JBo · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2007, 09:47 AM

Jay,
go to ACOC (AC Owners Club website) @ http://www.racecar.co.uk/acoc/, join, register, what ever. In the forums is a section for Ace's, some rear afficianato's for AC built vehicles of all ages and ilks.
Jim

289ACE · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2007, 01:21 PM

Jim,
I am already signed up on the ACOC forum ( posted the link there also), unfortunately they do not have any new info on my car. Thanks for the idea though and keep them coming

Jay

289ACE · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 10:24 PM

Ive been able to trace my ACE back a little further and it looks like it was probably being passed of as a Cobra in the early '70s by a strawberry farmer in Camarillo, Cal so I thought I would try posting again in case some old timers might recognize the info. The link from my original post should still work.
Thanks,
Jay

CobraV8 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2007, 01:30 AM

Very nice work. The car looks pretty light-weigth, accelleration should be adequate with the 289

Simon

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2007, 01:36 AM

Man, THATS cool!

289ACE · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2007, 10:27 PM

Thanks Guys! yea it does OK in the acceleration department and with the 289 it goes around corners pretty well too. I can't wait until I get the carb dialed in and see what its like then.
Jay

hurricaneharold · #8 (**permalink**) 06-19-2007, 06:18 AM

The car is looking great ,it will be nice to see it finished

wtm442 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-19-2007, 11:13 AM

http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/42/

http://www.supercars.net/cars/2452.html

DavidinDurango · #10 (**permalink**) 06-19-2007, 11:54 AM

Jay,have to contacted Rinsey Mills in Plymouth? He may have some non-club info . . . or a lead.

Let me know if you need an email address.

289ACE · #11 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007, 08:48 AM

David,
I was in touch with Rinsey when I originally bought the car but have since lost his e-mail. If you could provide it, that would be great. It has been many years and maybe he has turned something new up.

Warren,
I followed up with links you provided, but it looks like they have nothing specific for individual cars. I am on dial up, so I did not exhaust all of the lower tiers, but is there soemthing there I may have missed that would provide specific car info?
Thanks,
Jay

CobERA · #12 (**permalink**) 06-22-2007, 09:38 AM

Jay,

That's a neat project. Thanks for posting.

Jay Little · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 07:45 AM

Good job Jay!

289ACE · #14 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 10:18 PM

Bumping this up as I have found new info on my car. It looks like I'm now looking for someone from the Tucson area that cobraized an AC Ace in the 60s
http://members.impulse.net/~sfm081/i...v1History.html
Thanks to all that have helped so far, I am slowly piecing togther my cars history thanks to the leads I have been getting,and apologies to those who are tired of seeing this each time I obtain new info. Hopefully I will be closing this search out shortly.
Jay

LMH · #15 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 02:48 PM

Jay
Have you talked to Ron Leanord in Durango Colorado?
He sells parts for AC's and used to live in Tucson back in the day. He bought my fathers AH 100 in about 1958. My father told me Ron also purchased a wrecked AC Bristol around that same time, after it rolled over, killing the driver and passenger. I bet Ron knew of most/all the AC's in Tucson at that time.
I could find his address or phone # if you need it.
HTH
Larry

LMH · #16 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 03:01 PM

Another thought just came to mind, Frank Townsend was a car builder/racer at the time too and might know something about your car. Long-shot but he might. His cars are on a few websites if you want to do a little searching.
I believe he owns a parts shop here in Tucson. Townsend shop # is (520) 623-5959
I'd say he's retired though, so I don't know to what extent he is still involved with the business. The shop may be able to put you in touch with him though.
Larry

jon@harrison.ne · #17 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 04:32 PM

Possibly the most knowledgeable person in the world regarding AC's is Jim Feldman in Portland ,OR. I think he has about 10 of them,including an Autocarrier (yes,that's where AC comes from) and a Concours Rudspeed (the car that the Cobra was derived from). He has parts and does restorations. He heads up the AC owners club. He often has a Hemmings ad under AC cars.

mickmate · #18 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 07:07 PM

Nice work that is looking super! Put a couple of pics in your gallery here when you get a minute.

289ACE · #19 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 09:51 PM

Thanks guys for the potential leads. I have contacted Jim Feldman and Ron Leonard in the past but they were of limited help. However, now that I know Ron was in Tucson, I'll be calling him Monday AM to see if any of the new information jogs his memory. I'll also try to track down Frank Townsend and see if he can help any. Thanks again for the leads! These are the type of leads that have helped me put together the history I have found so far. I'll try to get some pics into my gallery in the next few weeks.
Jay