.
.
Phoned Mrs Jo ann Parsons again, Jim collected BEX333 direct from Peter Lovely of Imported Motor Cars - Tacoma in October / November 1957.
The Ace was already wearing the British Number plate TXF913, therefor it must have been driven on British Roads prior to export.
Could Peter Lovely or a representitive of Imported Motor Cars, Tacoma, Washington. Have visited Thames Ditton in August 1957 and driven BEX333.?
According to the Official Thames Ditton Bible and Factory Build sheets 3 Ace Bristol's BEX331 / BEX332 & BEX333 were all despatched for Washington on 19th August 1957.
Or was BEX333 used as a demonstrator prior to export ?
Keith [
]
******************************************************************************************** A quick thank you to all who have helped throughout 2009 confirm the racing history of BEX333, the perseverance has paid big dividends and has made the effort really worth while.
The Thames Ditton AC Build Book alias "The AC Bible" confirms when each AC was made and its destination and specification when it left the Works.
As clearly stated BEX333 left Thames Ditton along with BEX331 & BEX332 on 19th August 1957 destined for Imported Motor Cars Tacoma, BEX333 being the only one ordered and already allocated to its First owner (James Parsons).
I have it on good authority from Mrs Joann Parsons that BEX333 was registered TXF913 before being exported to USA, these details are not recorded in the Build Book.
Further examination and speaking to various other Ace and Aceca owner's it would appear that by registering the car prior to export one could not only drive legally on the UK roads but the export / import taxes were possibly reduced as the car was no longer classified as New.
My research has established that this was a fairly common practise, for example according to the AC Build Book ... ... BEX242 was despatched to the docks on the 27th December 1956 destined for a Mr Richard Saul Eastman in L.A. California on the SS "Dongedyk"
However I have a Photocopy of ACs Invoice date 19th December 1956 and a photocopy of a Tax Disc confirming that BEX242 was road registered SYX729 on 19th December 1956 for the sum of £1.2 shillings where 3 months road tax was then £3.8 shillings and 9 pence. (Taxed for 1 month, the month of December) But the AC Build Bible clearly states BEX242 being Exported to L.A.
None of these details relating to Road Registering in the UK are officially logged in the AC Build Bible, How many other AC's were allocated number plates prior to export ??
I would like to thank Antoine Prunet in Paris for confirming registration details of his BEX242, Which has helped confirm that a similar practise was carried out with BEX333.
Hopefully next year a little more information comes to light on BEX333 and various other Ace's especially with racing history.
In the meantime I would like to wish you all a
<b><center>Merry Christmas
and a very
Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2010</center> </b>
Keith [
] [
]