kenrudd2

Gallery

This Ruddspeed Ace (chassis AE35) sat for many years in a garden in Birmingham before going to auction. Even though the car was in a terrible condition, it was still very original and hadn't been modified since it's racing days. We could have very easily just made a new body for the car but we decided early on in the restoration not to over restored it, but instead repairing sections and trying to keep as much originality and patina as we could. We discovered the engine acquired with the car was the works development AC engine which was fitted to the works prototype Aceca - later owned by Donald Campbell. The engine is the only surviving works unit and has a unique completion sump and cooling system.

History:

- Pioneer Ace, first owned and raced by Ken Rudd

- Used as part of the Rudd Racing Team

- First AC to run quarter mile sprint

- Personal transport for Ken Rudd as demonstrator and race car.

- Ken developed the cowl on this car which has since been fitted to all other racing Aces

- Ken Rudd developed the disc brake conversion on this car for AC Cars Ltd

- Raced hard in the 1950's, featured in Rudds of Worthing adverts

- Ken's first love with AC began with this car

- Restored by Brooklands Motor Company in 2003

- Goodwood Sprint 2004 - 1st (50 years since Ken Rudd won the same event!)

- Goodwood Sprint 2005 - 1st (Knickered Demon Trophy)

- Raced at the Le Mans Classic 2004

- Raced at the Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy 2005

- This car has been featured in Classic Cars magazine and Top Hat race series marketing

Specifications:

Year: 1954,

Model: AC Ruddspeed Ace,

Chassis number: AE35,

Bodywork: Aluminium hand formed body,

Engine: AC 2 Litre Works (Ex Donald Campbell),

Configuration: Triple SU Carburettors,

Registration: RPO 826,

Colour: Pillar Box Red,

Wheel Size: 16in Wire Wheels,

Tyres: Dunlop Racing,

Gearbox: Moss gearbox,

Brakes: Vented Drums

AE35 - 1954 AC Ruddspeed Ace - RPO 826