1962 AC Aceca - RS 5506

Currentley in dark blue with red leather interior with original instruments, Ford 2.6 ltr Ruddspeed stage 2 engine (no. S251773E), original overdrive gearbox.
Chassis number ‘RS5506’ is one of eight factory built Ford-powered Aceca’s with only six believed to be still surviving, four were RHD with this being one. AC Cars “Thames Ditton” only produced these very limited cars for short period of time – July 1961 till September 1962, little over a year, “RS5505″ is seven of eight Aceca’s built.

Recorded as leaving the Thames Ditton factory on 15th August 1962 in Princess blue and a dark blue interior for delivery to legendary JAMES BOND Author Mr Ian Fleming, who registered it as ‘9181 ML’ on the 17th of that month. Co-incidentally, that same year Ian Fleming completed ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, the 10th of the 14 books in the James Bond series.

The Aceca was ordered from the factory with Ruddspeed’s ‘Stage II’ conversion incorporating larger inlet/exhaust valves, lightweight pistons and triple 1½” SU carburettors mounted on a Barwell inlet manifold. Other specification highlights include a Moss four-speed overdrive gearbox, servo-assisted disc/drum brakes, twin electric fans, heater and a radio, the latter converted to FM reception.

Comprehensive history file, two large files documenting history of this motorcar, Original registration log book with Fleming recored as 1st owner, correspondence between various parties, letters from AC Owners Club, hand written letters, old invoices old MOT’S dating back to 1998, extensive amount of invoices from various specialists including TT Workshops 1989 -1997, incredible amount of work has continued between 2009 – 2012, to summarise around £90,00 was spent, large majority of work has been carried out by Jim Stokes who has been through the car completely – major work include an engine rebuild and set up, brakes, suspension, rear axel, re-trim the interior including new carpets and seat re-stuffed, gearbox, wiring, ancillaries, etc, etc, invoices from Redline Engineering 2015-2016, NovaTech in 2015 checked and balanced carburettors while giving power runs on rolling road, graph shows Ruddspeed 2.6 ltr engine is producing A healthy 166.8 HP with 172 lbs Torque, FIVA identify document where the car was entered in 2002 Rome-Liège-Rome Rally. Out of the 4 right hand drive cars built only RS 5500 and RS 5506 remain in the UK.

- Ian Fleming (1st owner)
- Brian Gell, Manchester (3rd owner)
- Harry van Bakel, Netherlands. 40,000 miles from new in 1973
- Jeremy Agace in 1987
- Robin Finch-Hatten
- Mark Scythes in 2001
- Martin Phillips
- Mark Aldridge in 2008
Present owner unknown

Harry van Bakel is in the white overalls at Silverstone 1974.

We would love to hear from anyone has more information on the car or would like to add to the history please feel free to contact us here at AC Heritage.