%20(4)_edited.png)
The AC-Tojeiro Ace Prototype, unveiled in 1953, marked a significant turning point for AC Cars and laid the foundation for one of the most legendary sports cars in history. John Tojeiro, a British engineer and race car builder, had been crafting sports cars in small numbers when he developed a new prototype inspired by the Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta. Recognizing its potential, Tojeiro approached the AC Motor Company, which was seeking to modernize its aging lineup. Impressed by the design, AC adopted the concept, fitting it with their own 2.0-liter AC engine and various in-house components.
The car made its public debut on the AC stand at the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show under the name “Ace.” Featuring a lightweight, tubular ladder-frame chassis and a sleek aluminum body, the Ace quickly garnered attention for its elegant design and promising performance. Encouraged by the response, AC put the car into production at its Thames Ditton factory.
In 1956, the Ace received a significant upgrade when AC introduced the more powerful 2.0-liter Bristol six-cylinder engine, boosting performance and making it a competitive force in sports car racing. This configuration became the most popular and successful version of the Ace, achieving notable results at events such as Le Mans. However, when Bristol ceased production of its engine in 1961, AC faced a dilemma.
That same year, Carroll Shelby approached AC with a proposal to fit the Ace chassis with a Ford V8 engine, transforming the car into a high-performance road and race machine. The result was the legendary AC Cobra, launched in 1962. This evolution of the Ace would go on to become one of the most iconic and celebrated sports cars of all time.
The AC-Tojeiro Ace Prototype remains a pivotal piece of automotive history, bridging the gap between post-war British sports cars and the muscle-bound Anglo-American hybrids that followed. Without it, the AC Cobra might never have been born.
