Before the Cobra there was the AC Ace Bristol
Most people consider the Shelby Cobra to be one of the most iconic and collectible cars in the world. As a result the values for “real” Shelby Cobras have moved northward of a million dollars.
The Cobra is a truly awesome car to be sure, but the car that it was developed from, the AC Ace, has until recently been overlooked by many collectors.
Sure the Ace only has a six cylinder engine – lacking the big V8 power of the Shelby cars – but the AC Ace is a great car as in itself and is described by many as a, “more refined, thinking persons alternative,” to the more hooligan V8 cars developed by Shelby Automotive. I have driven an Ace and numerous Cobras and can honestly say that I prefer the Ace as it is a more balanced and easier driving car.
This year at the RM Hershey sale happening on October 9, they have a tremendous example of an AC Ace. Actually they have a pair of these cars, one is a coupe, named the Aceca and the other a roadster simply named the Ace.
The coupe is pretty but I prefer the roadster. The car is a 1958 model, has its original Bristol engine and is in very nice driver level condition.
The pre-auction estimate for the car is $225,000-300,000 and my guess is that it will sell for around $250,000.
These cars have been quietly increasing in value over the past few years and I think this is a car with some serious upside potential in the coming years.
For more information on this and all the other cars at the RM Hershey sale go to www.rmauctions.com
Last week’s car
The 2006 Ford GT at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, went for a strong $291,500, making it the third most expensive car at the auction. It just missed my $300,000 estimate and at that price I think it was very well bought, especially for a car with only 65 miles on the odometer.
The top ten car sales from Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas were:
2013 Lamborghini Aventador – $440,000
1971 Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda – $385,000
2006 Ford GT – $291,500
1966 Ford Shelby GT350 – $220,000
2013 Lamborghini Gallardo – $220,000
1936 Packard Eight Phaeton – $176,000
2011 Bentley GTC Supersports – $176,000
1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro – $172,700
1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster – $165,000
1968 Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback – $165,000
Total sales of the Las Vegas auction were very strong at more than 33 million dollars, showing yet again how strong this market is for classic cars.