AC Ace Bristol's at Le Mans 24hr... 57-62

[Louism]

Bertrand organized the return of John Turner in Le Mans in 2009, exactly 50 years after the brilliant race of the 24 Hours 1959.
   John Deveson and BE214 where also in Le Mans to commemorate, taking part at the Cavalcade a couple hours before the start of the race.
   
   John Deveson, BE214 and John Turner.
   
   
   
   Brenda and John Turner
   
   
   
   Ready for the show with a nice view to the pitlane.
   
   
   
   During the cavalcade, John is driving BEX1205 at good speed in Mulsanne straight.
   
   
   
   heavy traffic at Porsche curve.
   
   
   
   After a couple of laps, back again in the paddock where John is talking to another driver, less successful than him in the 1959 race !! []
   
   

[Louism]

Copy of the original poster of the "24 Heures du Mans 1959"
   
   

[Louism]

From a french fan collecting period magazines...
   
   "L'Automobile", november 1956:
   
   I won't be able to translate the whole text but as a conclusion the journalist writes "driving an Ace Bristol gives a sensation close to ecstasy" [:p][][][]    [^]
   
   
   

[Louism]

Another test inside "L'Automobile" in january 1960
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Back on Le Mans track soon...[]

[Louism]

Going back to the roots...in 1957.
   
   All of you must have Tony Bancroft and Rinsey Mills books in their bookcase. The aim of this forum is not to rewrite the history.
   
   I already spoke about Ken Rudd in this page, thanks to him for his commitment in Le Mans challenge.
   AE 205 has been prepared in Worthing workshop first (Bristol engine, front discs brakes, side short exhaust, special fuel tank, rear axle ratio for high speed track with 16" wheels...etc). The Ace then went back to Thames Ditton where the front was restyled for a better air penetration, an air scoop + side vents were added.
   
   Derek Hurlock drove the car to Le Mans.
   
   
   
   A word about the drivers, Ken Rudd drove the car and it was its only participation at the 24 Hours as a driver.
   Peter Bolton was the second driver, quite a long story for him in Le Mans.
   
   - 1956, Jaguar XK140: disqualified
   - 1957, AC Bristol: 10th
   - 1958, AC Bristol: 8th
   - 1959, Triumph TR3: withdraw
   - 1960, Triumph TR3: not in classification
   - 1961, Triumph TR4: 9th
   - 1962, TVR: withdraw
   - 1963, AC Cobra: 7th
   - 1964, AC Cobra: withdraw
   - 1965, Triumph Spitfire: withdraw
   
   You will find some marvellous pictures in Steve Gray website here:
   
   http://www.acheritage.co.uk/kenrudd1957lemans.html
   
   Peter Bolton pictures are not frequent, this one was taken in Le Mans 1963 nearby Stirling Moss waiting for Cobra 39PH pit stop. You can also notice Carroll Shelby a little bit further with a cap.
   
   

[Louism]

Another Ace was driven to Le Mans, VPL442, a sort of "T car" as it is said today.
   
   Lap time was around 5' during practises, this was improved during the race in 4'48, best lap EVER for an Ace Bristol at Le Mans old track in between 1957 and 62.
   
   
   
   It was a tough race for the Ace in the 2 litres class, understand the other competitors were true cars delop for racing (Ferrari 500TR, Maserati A6GCS...)
   
   
   
   Race strategy was calculated with an average of 100 mph. After 12 hours the position was already 10th at a good distance of the Ferrari 500TR for the class battle. Rudd and Bolton finished to keep that position covering 3780,473 km with an average of 97,9 miles per hour.
   
   

[Louism]

NEVER an Ace Bristol will cover a better distance during 24 Hours at Le Mans, even if 1959 will be the best result with a 7th position overall.
   
   
   
   
   
   Le Mans was definitly a "british" year in 57 with Jaguar's in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th position...not bad.

[Louism]

AE 205 was sold then in USA and raced in SCCA in 1958.
   
   Thanks to Stephen Pehl and his marvellous http://www.acaceca.de.tl/
   
   We have now this picture taken in Watkins Glen:
   
   

[Louism]

I wrote in the first page of this topic that I did not know where AE 205 was today.
   
   Thanks to Antoine Prunet who told us it was entered by a Japanese in some recent Mille Miglia. Even with such precious information I was not able to find some recent pictures and Stephan had one a few days ago from an australian fan called Geoff Dowdle.
   
   Yes Antoine, it was Mille Miglia 2004.
   
   It seems AE 205 is in perfect condition today in Japan...
   
   

[tim isles]

Hi Louis,
   
   These pictures of a green car are in fact AEX 178, which has been modified to look like AE 205. If you look closely you will see that there is a difference in the depth of the grill aperture.
   
   AE 205 is still in the USA. After competing at Le Mans it was sold to the USA where it continued to be used in SCCA competition.
   
   Tim

[Louism]

I am so sorry Tim, I was so enthousiast to have found AE 205...[:I]
   
   In my (old) register, AEX 178 is located in UK (Jackson)
   
   Some of you have recent news of AE 205 ?

[tim isles]

No problems at all Louis. There was also a second, earlier Ace modified to look like AE 205 but it reverted to a normal nose a long time ago. I'll give Tony Bancroft a ring to see what he knows about AE 205, but perhaps the current owner may read this thread and let us know about the car. There are some photographs of 205 posted on Flickr, but they were taken some time ago. Tim

[Louism]

I am wondering why this "modified Ace", to look like AE 205, was accepted for Mille Miglia (Bertrand will understand...[])
   
   Cheers
   Louis

[tim isles]

My understanding is that the AC-engined Ace is eligible for the MM, as is the Aceca-Bristol, but the Ace-Bristol is not because it never took part before the event closed after the 1957 running. Somebody out there will know much more. Tim

[Louism]

quote:Originally posted by tim isles
   

   These pictures of a green car are in fact AEX 178, which has been modified to look like AE 205. If you look closely you will see that there is a difference in the depth of the grill aperture.
   

   
   One more detail Tim,
   
   AEX 178 has front drum brakes to compare with AE 205 disc brakes...
   
   Regards
   Louis