AC Ace Tyres
AC Ace on 5.50 R 16 Michelin X Tyres
AC Ace 1953–1963
- Some early AC Ace fitted 550 - 16 crossply tyres prior to being fitted with a Bristol Engine.
- The 5.50-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA is the best 5.50 - 16 classic crossply tyre currently made, with the highest speed-rating (V = 149 mph) and the best handling dynamics.
- The original radial AC Ace tyre is the 5.50 R 16 Michelin X, it was the original equipment tyre for many Ace’s (and the AC Ace Bristol), and it is the best radial tyre in this size.
- The 5.50 R 16 Michelin X is the perfect radial tyre for the AC Ace. If you want experience your AC Ace on crossply tyres the 5.50-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA is excellent.
- A radial tyre will give considerably more ultimate grip, particularly in the wet, but the authentic feel of a crossply will give light progressive handling that is very engaging.
- Crossply tyres would run at lower pressures 22psi front and 27psi rear, (if you are planning on maintaining high speeds add some more pressure). Radial tyres need more 28psi front and 33 psi rear.
- The ideal AC Ace racing tyre is the 5.50 x 16 R5 Dunlop Racing tyre, which is also road legal.
- AC cars of this era came fitted with tube-type wheels and innertubes.
- We advise fitting the Michelin 16F as the innertube of choice for these tyres.
AC Ace Recommended Tyres
Other Options for AC Ace Tyres
History of the AC Ace
AC Ace Brochure
The AC Ace débuted at the 1953 London Motor Show. The AC Ace had a tubular chassis with steel boxes in the front and back that supported a transverse leaf and lower wishbone independent suspension system. John Tojeiro created the chassis. An AC 2 litre engine was initially used to generate power, which was positioned as far back as possible to aid with the car's balance. The body and form of the car were influenced by the 2-seater Ferrari 166MM Barchetta. Less than 60 specimens were made in the first year of manufacturing. These were all Aces. The hardtop AC Aceca was introduced in 1954. Manufacturing began in 1954 and ended in 1963.
AC chose to install a Bristol engine in 1956. The lightweight car's 1971cc, the six-cylinder engine produced 125 hp at 5750 rpm and pushed it to a top speed of about 110 miles per hour. When production of the Bristol engines ended at the end of the 1950s, AC was compelled to use a British Ford Zephyr engine. From 1961 to 1963, just 47 of these 2.6-litre vehicles were manufactured..
Drum brakes (later, front disc brakes were offered), Girling hydraulic shock absorbers, and a four-speed manual gearbox were standard. There were around 735 AC Aces and 326 AC Acecas manufactured in all. The AC Ace, on the other hand, is arguably most remembered for serving as the foundation for one of the most well-known sports cars of all time, the Shelby Cobra.
AC Ace Borrani Wire Wheels
Borrani wheels are available for your AC Ace. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.
If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding then please contact us at [email protected]
Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.
Click the link for AC Ace Borrani wheels.
Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:
- Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
- Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
- Painted finish with polished outer edge