AC Ace (sort of)

[blackmamba]

Hi there

I am thinking of going to take a look at this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Are there any AC experts out there who can offer an opinion and some key things to look out for? I know it is not the genuine article but it does seem to be priced accordingly and has been for sale for a while so they may be open to offers.

It is a replica but seems to have been well crafted with the right parts.

Any thoughts on the car and dealer?

Thanks

[The Surveyor]

That looks lovely but at that price you're getting close to the cost of an original. This one looks very sorted and it would come down to whether its better to own a perfect replica, or an original (albeit maybe a little tired) Ace. From a future value perspective, I personally would go with an original 1950's car.

Paul

[benjj]

What Paul said.

That car is, in my opinion, a little pricey. Good engineering is worth money but that is pushing it a bit.

I'd wait for an original car in budget that you can put some of yourself into. Always far more satisfying.

Try scouring the EU market, classifieds and auctions. It is a buyers market so remember to make every penny count.

That said you'd still have a spiffy car if you did buy the rep. Not exactly money wasted if you can buy it for something starting with a 7.

[Roy C]

I remember it being for sale last year. It was sold for £117k.

It seems pricey, but the values of good replicas has risen in the past few years, as the values of the originals continue to rise.

Some discussion of the car here:
http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPI...

Edited by Roy C on Sunday 31st March 11:55

[Jagmanv12]

The Surveyor said:

That looks lovely but at that price you're getting close to the cost of an original. This one looks very sorted and it would come down to whether its better to own a perfect replica, or an original (albeit maybe a little tired) Ace. From a future value perspective, I personally would go with an original 1950's car.

Paul

Originals are now £150-200k so a fair way short of that.

[benjj]

Crumbs, are they really?

Wish I'd bought the doer upper ten years for 20k then. Baaaah

[The Surveyor]

Jagmanv12 said:

The Surveyor said:

That looks lovely but at that price you're getting close to the cost of an original. This one looks very sorted and it would come down to whether its better to own a perfect replica, or an original (albeit maybe a little tired) Ace. From a future value perspective, I personally would go with an original 1950's car.

Paul

Originals are now £150-200k so a fair way short of that.

Agree, the price for an Ace in similar condition would be much more, I was comparing a tired original against that mint replica. There are car which have sold for much more than £200k but there was an original sold at auction last Sptember for the same price as this replica and given the option, I'd have the original

http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/44643744

Paul

[blackmamba]

Thanks all for the replies and especially the link to the AC Owners Club thread. I will do some more digging.

I am under no illusions that this is a replica but it is a very pretty car that seems well sorted mechanically. I think good Aces are in the £150k+ range and I would be looking to buy this with a figure starting with a 6.

I think as with many / most replicas, if it looks and feels good to drive then it is an interesting proposition at the right price. I think the problem is arriving at that price!

Any other thoughts welcome.

[bigblock]

The asking price seems to be similar to that being asked for the ally bodied Cobra replicas and there are plenty of those around.

This Ace is a much rarer vehicle and appears to be a very close replica of the original and extremely well crafted.

Good quality ally replicas hold their value well and you get a very usable car in excellent condition to have fun in. If the genuine article is beyond your price range and you are not looking for a long term investment then this type of replica makes sense.