1958 AC Aceca Coupe - One Take

The AC Aceca is a car so rare, this is the only one I've ever seen. Fewer than 100 were built, less than 25 with overdrive. The Aceca is the coupe version of the AC Ace, which became the Shelby Cobra once that pesky Texan shoved a V8 underhood. This one is highly original and had a mechanical restoration by Paul Russell, and features its original BMW 328 engine, a four-speed gearbox, and just over 75,000 original miles. Though it's valued at between $300,000 and $400,000, its owner, John Bothwell of PurSang Argentina has been using it as his daily driver. Because he's the coolest person on Earth.
Follow John on Instagram:
/ vitesse_collection
/ pursangargentina

[@modenajon]

This guy is great! Easy to talk to, not stuffy and stuck up, a legend, and super patient and open to let Matt drive his jewels.

[@brandonherrera2891]

agree 100%

[@Snakeplisskin440]

Definitely. I mean, He was like, "Cars worth like $400,000. Okay, let's let Matt drive it now." He obviously wants to see old cars being driven around and appreciated and not stored behind a glass. Yeah, there's cars that are new and have new tech but doesn't mean old is necessarily bad. It follows along as Matt Farah has stated, cars have "souls".

[@wurkinjowurka9026]

Exactly

[@zelikmedina7983]

That grind gave me chills

[@dha588]

Probably uses it on the daily in sunny days but uses a different car when it rains.

[@jeffk464]

shifting into first while the car is rolling

[@Mooselover1011]

I guess Matt forgot older cars don't have a synchro for first.

[@CJBMAGGOT94]

Yeah Matt has been driving too many newer cars. Must have forgot about the non-synchro first gear in pretty much most cars before 1980 lol.

[@mark52111]

Even at 400k, it's just a car. And if you make enough scratch to buy one of these, then you probably have enough to repair the tranny. I doubt that grind did much at all. Even modern cars will grind into first gear. But having said that, I'd never throw it into first until the car was completely stopped. I really don't like that sound and feeling through the shifter. Eeek!

[@mattclose1439]

Matt, your videos and content is gaining quality with every one you post. Not only are the cars getting cooler and cooler, but you have really mastered this One Take stuff. Congrats on coming up with a truly unique format among many many KZbin car reviewers.

[@dastardlyman]

seconded

[@DirtJumperMogo]

third

[@UncleManuel]

Fourthed! ^_^

[@sophiezajdela2205]

Fifthed

[@pianoman3214]

"Oh you daily your track/drift car? that's cute"

[@39MercFlathead]

In the spring of 1964 I was a senior in high school. A friend had gotten out of the Army the summer before, bought a 58 Porsche Normal with a blown engine and spent the winter rebuilding it with a very little help from me. Shortly after he finished the car we took it for a ride down to the local Shakey's Pizza Parlor for dinner. A friend of his came in and joined us. His friend had an AC Aceca coupe that he had rebuilt. I rode in the AC Aceca back to my friend's house. The route included a long, well banked high speed 120 degree curve which they decided to race through. I had my first experience drifting through a curve in the AC Aceca. The Porsche beat us, but I had a great time.

[@davidappleby7224]

Why do you say gotten rather than got?

[@TSMSQ]

You can definitely hear the BMW mechanical rasp like in the E36 and E46 M3s.

[@wackomanx]

I was about to comment and say that it definitely sounds like an engine made by BMW.

[@RoverWaters]

bullshit

[@ItsMikeArre]

wackomanx if it ain't broke why fix it

[@robmanueb.]

Straight six

[@wackomanx]

Mike Arredondo Never said it was broke

[@ItsMikeArre]

My god that interior is so beautiful and vibrant what a car

[@hovnojede010101]

Such a cool guy with such a cool car

[@doctorzaius4084]

Wow, awesome find!!! Sounds DOPE when those triple carbs open up and it looks incredible. I'm a huge sucker for this type of fastback/hatch body and think I even prefer it to the (much more famous) roadster. The pontoons that go on forever out back and the "sore thumb" taillights that were all the rage back then really do it for me... rear 3/4 view is killer. An uncited Wikipedia notation claims that this styling "traces back to" studies done for AC by Pininfarina in the '40s, but that moustache under the headlamps (another element I love) was Touring's signature back in those days... wonder if either of them actually had anything to do with it, or if it was just an amalgam of stuff "in the air" at the time? I've only ever seen pictures of these cars, so even just getting to see one in action here is a huge treat, thanks for doing this.

[@Optgemakske]

PurSang Argentina is an awesome company, never stop making these one take's with them .. please

[@BROCKWOOD64]

There was in the 82-83 time frame an AC Aceca in Tyler, TX. The original Bristol engine was donated to 1 of the Bristol Clubs & a small block Chevy V8 fitted in it's place. The car is yellow & the windshield a pink Lexan. I was very honored to have been given a spirited ride in it! Now, I had driven a Sunbeam Alpine the year before. I do appreciate the Aceca more in comparison! Thanks for sharing.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Back in the day, a 6 cylinder engine had it all.... go balance, great power and reliability! It was the coin of the realm! Loved this video!

[@IntegraDIY]

Very nice, cool seeing a classic on the show

[@RamblinAround]

That is a beautiful car...like everything about it.

[@codyb8238]

Daily driving a super rare $350-$400k car. What a boss.

[@jeffk464]

You think that until you accidentally rear end him and your insurance isnt enough to cover the bill.

[@codyb8238]

Jeff K luckily for me, that person will never be me.

[@GriffithParkTrailCamofficial]

he def has special insurance on that thing.....he will get every penny if it is totaled.

[@peaheaduk]

I am liking theses older car videos and it looks like matt loves to drive them. Love how it sounds btw :)

[@kingster3835]

awesome car! this car came like lightning from clear sky compared to all the other videos where you have E55 AMG, 2015/16 camaro, mustangs and stuff Nice work!

[@JonasRosenven]

Such a beautiful car - thanks a lot for sharing.

[@Mooselover1011]

Matt is turning into Petrolicious...

[@Mooselover1011]

Which isn't a bad thing.

[@ricepud]

That's from hanging out with spike feresten so much lately. He's classin' it up and I don't like it.jk.

[@LUNCHMONEY4numbers]

If Petrolicious haven't featured John yet, they definitely should!

[@travisolson9190]

He petrolicious swapped himself

[@OliverPickard]

my wife was hoping you would drive the aceca that was in the background of the last video john you are the man

[@carlmanney1160]

Great car, these classics are the best videos no doubt!

[@BROCKWOOD64]

My 1st enlightenment into the existence of the Aceca was in the early 80s in of all places East Texas. It was bright yellow with a pink lexan windshield. Yes, I chased it down. The owner had donated the Bristol engine to the club & utilized a 350V8 instead. All I can say is much better than a Sunbeam Alpine in my driving experiences!

[@itiswhatisis8174]

10:48 = 99% of reviewers would just agree there and Not make him expand on it. This is what makes you great Matt. And the whole "One take" concept which is refreshing as hell and is the reason why I am here.

[@Benedocta]

Its pretty funny how Matt is like "I would probably totally blindly recognize this as a BMW engine." and the dude acts impressed.

[@westsenkovec]

the engine whisperer

[@bunkaaa8726]

I got the impression he thought '...Yeah sure..'

[@360fanboy360]

"yeh thats really cool"

[@diez0305]

with regards to matt's comment on the similarities to the E36 m3 engine, I find it so so cool how different car companies make engines that make such different noises. you can really hear the difference between an american V8, italian V8, german V8, etc etc

[@Talasas]

John is a legend and has brilliant taste in cars. What a great car, thanks for sharing.

[@MrBigisBack87]

That engine sounds amazing, perfect fit for a beautiful car.

[@JustFun-bm8dz]

Thumbs up for that guy daily driving that work of art!

[@RussellRobinson77]

Very beautiful. It does seem to look similar to those earlier Ferraris, even the Volvo P1800. The earliest car that I have seen with a similar design is the Cunningham C3

[@mescko]

Good eye there! It takes a real car guy to mention the Cunningham.

[@tdolan500]

Just cruising was fully appropriate for this car, you should do more like this.

[@smagbye]

Beautiful car. Great that it's driven instead of being kept in a glass case and wiped with a diaper.

[@logan86123]

Such a beautiful car in every way, and props to John and Matt for being such awesome dudes.

[@sexualrenegade]

The AC Aceca & Ace have got to be my all time favourites. Delightful & classic British style, the front of a Ferrari 212 barchetta but just so much prettier all round. These guys don’t know how lucky they are!

[@alliburwell]

this video makes you a true car enthusiast. this is great!!

[@tuitaco]

There's something special about old straight configuration engines. Love them and love the car!

[@edwardanderson2287]

In the early 70's, a guy I worked with put a 289 and the rear suspension from a 289 Cobra into an Aceca. This was when you could buy a wrecked Cobra cheap, for parts. He grafted the frame sections together with tubing inside the splice. I saw the car later with a red paint job being shipped to L.A.. along with a red E Jag, in the late 70's, at Fantasy Junction in Dublin, CA.

[@andrewgriffith2173]

Damn! Looking forward to the 458 Aperta video. I enjoy all Matt's videos but super excited/anxious

[@richardharrold9736]

That engine bay is big enough for a V12!

[@vopall]

Good stuff. Engine sounded great. I'm thankful for the variety you pump out for us, Matt.

[@en_ray]

7:21 The look of true shame and guilt. 😂

[@nathangebben5738]

Absolutely beautiful, only ever seen a convertible cobra, Didnt even know they made a hard top version. Great job on the recoding / editing!

[@Dutub2000]

Such a beautiful car and the engine sounds magnificent. Was really looking forward to this one take and even though my expectations were high, they have been exceeded.

[@mescko]

It's a straight six, of course it sounds magnificent!

[@LMacNeill]

Oh, man, that thing is so rare, you just can't change it!! Putting a small-block V8 in that thing would just ruin it. What a spectacularly well-kept AC Bristol!! Gorgeous!!

[@ethangee96]

Loving these later videos, Make more with this guy! Also 15:16 is that the million mile lexus in the background?

[@TheSmokingTire]

Ethan Gee yep!

[@desmo750f1]

Although it is derived from a pre-war BMW, Bristol did considerable development of the engine post war. By the time this car was made they had taken it from 75bhp to 130 or more. Don't forget that Bristol made some spectacular aero engines including the Centaurus that powered the Sea Fury so they knew a thing or two.

[@CallMeCribby]

Nice ride. So jealous you get to test drive these classics!

[@jacquestheguitarist]

Loving the classic car one takes. Would love to see more vintage and classic cars!

[@superkjell]

Just watching the UK show Car SOS restoring one of these. Such great looking cars!

[@Carguments]

If I lived in California and had the money I could see daily driving this car. So cool.

[@Nizacx]

original paint.. god damn, this must of been kept in really good condition..

[@thomaspfaff8723]

The engine notes I pick up are really close to the M30 as well... very very cool!!

[@mro9466]

M20 & M30: crappy mileage, perfect sound :D

[@wobblysauce]

Smiles per gallon.

[@SLArmstrong]

Thanks for sharing this car with us. Great job!

[@ageispolis6960]

This was a really fun video.

[@ssgdragongoku7927]

what an awesome looking car

[@mariuszanfir2298]

That was the first thing I said when you revved it "daamn, that's a BMW for sure!" It's unbelievable how an engine so old can sound so contemporary and BMW. You couldn't mistake that for a Toyota, Nissan or Jaguar sixer for sure.

[@robertbailey8003]

They went out of business in 1958!! I worked there in 1969 and they went on years after I left.

[@scanspeak00]

This John Bothwell guy is awesome.

[@TrailRecon]

One nice daily driver!

[@robertjdm]

What a beautiful car.

[@fsa1704]

Matt, I smiled through this entire video :) As always, thank you for the great content!

[@honeyNUTZcheerios]

One of my absolute favorites. thanks Matt !

[@TamasBodo97]

This is an original right? If so, I am extremely jealous of you for having the experience of even seeing one. Keep up the great work.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Tamas Bodo this is an original car, yes.

[@SanjayJenkinsIsFun]

Matt, your Shelby impression is fantastic. Also, this car is iconic!

[@dcanmore]

Pre-war Frazer-Nash, in partnership, had the build rights to manufacture and sell BMWs. After the war the Bristol Aeroplane Company bought Frazer-Nash and inherited the contracts, so they created the Bristol Car Company building and selling the BMW 328s under their own brand. The engine in this 1958 AC is a Bristol-built and modified version of the BMW unit. Frazer-Nash were also selling their own brand sports cars using the Bristol-BMW engine. AC used this engine as it was quite powerful compared to other Sixes at the time with an off-the-shelf costing replacing AC's own 2ltr Six. AC eventually replaced Bristol-BMW engine with a Ford 2.6 6cyl as Bristol ended the manufacture of the BMW-sourced unit. Production numbers for the AC Aceca were 151 (AC engined); 169 (Bristol-BMW) and 8 (Ford 2.6) between 1954-63.

[@MrNickjberry]

This guy is so awesome. What a great friend to have! I love how you grind the gears and he just smiles. Doesn't give a fuck.

[@2jsanc681]

awesome. cant wait until modern cars of this day age like this and look ancient compared to future cars

[@marcofabro]

Absolutely Beautiful car. Seen a few of these at Amelia Island and Pebble over the years. Only thing I'd like to disagree and this is purely my opinion but the front is heavily influenced by the Ferrari 166 (1948) and the Ferrari 340 Mille Miglia spyder (1952) which were both penned by Vignale in Italy and the back is 90% Aston Martin DB2 (1953) and Ferrari 195 (1950). The AC Aceca came out in 1954. Granted back in the 50s and 60s coachbuilders and manufacturers influenced each other often but in my humble opinion the Aceca was definitely influenced by others and not the other way around. Either way , I'm super happy to see such automobiles on the SmokinTire. Im in the vintage Italian car restoration business (50s-70s) so I truly enjoy seeing these cars somewhere else then on a lawn at a Concourse. Keep up the good work Matt!

[@kalg01]

Ferrari 166 is a Touring design.

[@marcofabro]

+kalg01 Although your right that Touring as well as Allemano and Pininfarina all coachbuilt bodies for the 166, I'm referring to the bodies made by Vignale in this case. Keep in mind every model from the 159S all the way to the 365 of the late 60s was coachbuilt in several different variations. it wasn't until Fiat bough Ferrari in the Dino/Daytona era that cars were usually design by one house. I help restore vintage Ferraris and go to the Cavallino Classic every year so I've seen just about every body design ever.

[@wonderwall135]

Matt, you should've gone to Santiago Canyon. It's nowhere near as empty as the roads north of LA but it's a decent road.

[@TheSmokingTire]

wonderwall135 eh, it's not that great and every time I've been it's insanely crowded.

[@wonderwall135]

Yeah, usually early mornings on weekends are your best bet.

[@NVRAMboi]

Incredibly British and given what was to come of the AC Ace, very historic. The little cars that did, do, and will.

[@raudelhernandez4320]

LOVELY video bro, loved it!!!

[@Rocknium1]

You finally bought that Audio mic, makes such a big difference. for a low price. Have this like and cookies.

[@Elving_]

What an truly amazing car! Thanks for the video Matt! :)

[@JoJoJoker]

@13:02 - yellow is the new green

[@vtr0104]

Matt's Shelby interpretation though... Priceless :|

[@dcanmore]

Carroll Shelby was a racing driver for Sydney Allard in 1950s England with road/race cars designed and manufactured by Allard and his engineers. These cars were powered by Ford, Cadillac or Chrysler V8s and that is where Shelby got the idea of putting a V8 into an English sports car and selling it in the States. The 1952 Allard K3 Palm Beach with a Chrysler Hemi would have been a major influence. Shelby didn't 'shove' a V8 into anything, he called up AC and contracted them to engineer a small (light) sports car prototype that would take a US-sourced V8 that he could sell in North America. AC took the Ace and modified it to take a borrowed 260-V8 from Ford UK. AC had a close relationship with Ford at the time as they were using their 2.6 Six in their cars. Ford UK only had one brand new 260-V8 so AC had to give it back to Ford once the prototype had finished testing. The results were sensational and the data was sent to Shelby in the States, he immediately had the prototype sent over for testing himself. The car was so well engineered that Shelby's team only spent one day refitting the 260-V8 and transmission, prepped for the road. Shelby achieved the same test results as AC, he got on the phone and ordered 100 cars straight away. Once that order was realised AC started building Cobras for the UK and European markets while Shelby retained the selling rights for the North America. In total AC built 1003 Cobras (all versions) including competition cars between 1962-67. The venture was profitable for AC and it allowed the development of the AC 428 Frua GT and the 3000ME sports car but was a financial failure for Shelby.

[@stuartcutmore5848]

Love that guy, so genuine and so generous with his cars. Love the idea of fitting a V8 in that Aseca, but I'm think E36 M3 would be more appropriate ..... just a thought.

[@stuartcutmore5848]

Aceca I meant 😊

[@kalg01]

How about keeping it original?

[@dastardlyman]

wow! i love your channel! but THIS video - is WAY above expectation - THANK YOU!

[@bennyhannover9361]

For the following 3 seasons in Germany. The 2 Litre Sportscar Series was a 328 Cup Race because none of the other Engines in this Class could compete it.

[@onebentleyboy]

I cannot believe that John Borthwick said it has a solid rear axle! This is the identical chassis that was used for the Cobra--it has independent rear suspension!! Wonderful cars but prices have dropped significantly since the video was made...

[@NickNakorn]

The Cobra engines Aceca definitely exists as there was a recent piece about it in Classic Car magazine (Covert Cobra August 2016)and was owned by Tim Greenhill.

[@camryt]

That's one helluva bitchin' Pontiac in 10:33. The AC though... It's so awesome. As if John wasn't legendary enough, now it turns out he dailies an AC. What a man!

[@kenhorlor5674]

The BMW 328 engine was acquired by Bristol through war reparations. Hence, a pre-war German design being fitted to a post-war British car, albeit an engine further developed by Bristol.

[@hiard10]

Wow! What a beautiful car.

[@MikeBaker___]

That thing definitely sounds like a BMW. Great video!

[@anonharingenamn]

Lovely car.

[@TYGA909]

Really exotic and luxurious!

[@majedsaati8175]

That grind .. Ouch lol

[@Casey_J96]

So what if I love pre-war cars but don't have a million dollars, can I still be Johns friend? Seems like an awesome guy!

[@tykempster]

This dude is George Costanza.

[@tykempster]

Or is it Art Vandelay?

[@GriffithParkTrailCamofficial]

look how far Latex can take you!

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

O_O Duuuuuuude, John Bothwell, coolest car enthusiast on earth... (you're not far off Matt) Yeah e36 I also hear the beehive in some rpm's ;)

[@wesplumley1593]

Ditto on the sound, very cool to see the relation

[@allensaunders449]

this was a fun video nice little car

[@rblbatb]

daily'd a model-T? much respect to this guy!

[@TC_Hill]

From the back I got MG B GT

[@Rentta]

Yeah i was just about to say the same

[@davidbell1110]

It's very like the MK2 Triumph GT6 to me from the rear. The lights actually look exactly the same.

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

Doing a quick search, I found that these were built with different sourced engines, and Ford supplied some until '63, I found a beautiful example with a 260ci Ford V8 for sale in the UK.

[@guillaumelemay8889]

Love this car!!! It looks amazing

[@TheMainMan318]

I love that he dailies this. I'm working to get my datsun 260z to daily turn key condition and then I'm planning on daily driving it. Disagreeing with the e-type comparison though. Plus why would Shelby put a v8 in an e-type when you could get a v12. That's like getting a gt350R and having a tuner putting a v6 in it

[@kennybode]

wow a car like that make me happy

[@squishtomar1676]

Loving the 1080p60

[@garf117]

from the podcast I expected John to be much older. surprised to see he's close to matts age and not a 75 year old dude with a handlebar mustache.