Mystery AC Ace/AC Bristol

[bex316]

The Ace registrars of the AC Owners Club (ACOC) will be grateful if anyone can identify this long bootlid (trunklid) Ace or Ace Bristol that appeared at a show in Georgia in 2006 described as having Venezuela racing history - this to help with ongoing research of Aces in competition.
The long lid makes it an early (spring 1957 or earlier) car.
This to follow the 3 articles in ACtion (the ACOC club magazine) focusing on the Venezuela connection - cars imported and raced in Venezuela and even in Colombia.
The mystery question was already posted on the ACOC forum but unfortunately no information has come up yet.
Obviously the car has undergone some modifications that are Cobra inspired. Even though the engine isn't shown it is very probably a V8.
Thanks a lot for anyone who can shed some light on this car.
Below you will find the link to the original ACOC forum thread with the pictures in the original size.
These pics are also to be found on the net in several places.

http://www.racecar.co.uk/acoc/forum/...?TOPIC_ID=1014

Jerry
57 AC Bristol