Nope, this isn’t a Wacky Racers version of the AC Cobra. It’s called the Ace, and was originally built between 1953 and 1963 with less than 700 units ever made. But now, AC Cars’ newly-formed ‘Classic,’ division is bringing it back with the same vintage looks with a Focus ST’s power.
You can have two versions: the standard Ace or the Ace Bristol. Both get a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-pot with a tweaked ECU, a good old-fashioned six-speed manual, and rear-wheel-drive.
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The outputs are impressive: 300hp, 375Nm, and a 0-100kph sprint of 4.6sec. It also gets a revised side-exit exhaust system to give it a loud vocal cord. But these new bits have bumped the weight up significantly. The original tipped the scales at around 870kg, and this second-coming gains an extra 230kg due to its carbon-fiber body. It's still light by 2024 standards though.
The three-inch steel tubular frame chasis is at least draped in some gorgeous retro cues: Perfectly spherical headlights, curved paneling, a checkered grille and a tall windscreen. The tiny 15in alloys are protected by thick tire walls too, and the Bristol Green paint finish in the example shown really brings it all to life.
None of this will come cheap though, with AC Cars quoting a minimum of £175,000 (around P13 million). That isn’t that far off what you’d pay for a new McLaren Artura. If you place your order now, it will arrive next summer.
Do you think more than 700 will be shifted this time?
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
