1955 Aceca/Cobra restomod

[Harpoon PV2]

That Ferrari raced in the late 50s early 60s before the Cobra. Oh well, still beautiful!

[HealeyRick]

I really enjoy reading these stories of all the different ideas Shel had for various British cars before settling on the Cobras. As far as the colors of the Aceca go, my own vision would be for something a little more restrained in keeping with a GT, rather than a race-oriented car with stripes. Perhaps something from the original AC palette would work: Original 289 colors? Metallics seem to really highlight the curves of the AC body and personally, I'd be looking at a dark grey or silver to go with a lipstick red interior. Also stunning is an orangey-red interior that came on early Healeys called "persimmon" A Healey BN2 in persimmon... - A DETAIL ENTHUSIAST .For solid colors, I like the Jaguar E-Type cherry red color called Regency Red. As I think about this, I realize I'm building my Aceca. not your vision. Choose what makes you happy.

[grybrd123]

Originally Posted by Harpoon PV2

Road & Track, September 1962. "Shelby is considering making up a few Cobras with AC's Aceca (coupe) body and these would have a top speed even higher than the roadster's."

Many thanks for that! Turns out that I actually have the R&T issue with that in it (AC-Ford Cobra road test), and you're absolutely right. How cool is that? So I guess I'm building the Aceca Cobra that Shelby never built, right down to all the genuine early Cobra rear end, suspension, and brakes.

[grybrd123]

@HealeyRick Thanks for your ideas about paint. I can see the silver and red color scheme (it would be flashy!), but silver has never been one of my favorites. My idea is to have the "racerly" stripe scheme because after all, this IS going to be a hotrod. Almost 380 hp in a 2000 lb car, it will have a better power to weight ratio than a Ford GT (3400 lbs/550 hp).

[HealeyRick]

Grybrd, your car will be spectacular when finished and you're right to make it into the vision you have for it. I think it's important to have a theme when you build your own car, and you certainly do. Mine was being a young guy in the 60s that happened upon a Cobra drivetrain in the junkyard and swapped it into his mostly stock Healey. My car is almost stock in the exterior with its original color of Healey Blue and the interior follows suit. 345 hp sbf and a 5 spd for a drivetrain, though, the proverbial "Poor Man's Cobra" or as we call them in the Healey world, a "Nasty Boy"

[Harpoon PV2]

Thought I would put this in here, good as any place! An Aceca up for auction: https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/658/1955-ac-aceca

[grybrd123]

I've posted some more photos taken yesterday. Look at all the wood! Much different to an Ace. Progress is pretty fast right now but it's still going to be months before we get to paint!

[grybrd123]

More photos and big progress! By Monday the body will be permanently installed, doors and hatch properly fitted, and ready for wiring, design and installation of the heating and A/C systems, and more. Should be going to the body shop for paint prep around the beginning of September (cross fingers).

[xb-60]

Big milestones for Monday, David
Nice when the project really gains momentum.
Exciting times ahead!!

Cheers,
Glen

[grybrd123]

Hi again guys! My Aceca is coming along nicely, we hope to have it finished to drive next summer (fingers crossed). Today I've posted photos from last August 5 and will be posting more in chronological order every day for the next week. Enjoy!

[Harpoon PV2]

Looking good! A funny thing over on the AC Owners sight a few weeks back, reminded me of your car! They were arguing over the correct pronunciation of Aceca. Most thought it sounded like it was spelled, (I sure did,) some thought it was A Ce Ca. But one member remembered this, "A sign above the AC Stand at the 1954 London Motor Show declared the correct articulation to be ‘A Seeker!" I sure can't argue with that, sounds kind of good too! Cheers, Dennis

[nikbj68]

I’m really enjoying this build thread, can’t wait to see it finished!

Originally Posted by Harpoon PV2

A funny thing over on the AC Owners sight...They were arguing over the correct pronunciation of Aceca. Most thought it sounded like it was spelled, (I sure did,) some thought it was A Ce Ca. But one member remembered this, "A sign above the AC Stand at the 1954 London Motor Show declared the correct articulation to be ‘A Seeker!"... Cheers, Dennis

I was at a car show with Dad, and a chap came over to us.
“I’ve always wondered how you pronounce the name of your AC...could you tell me please?”

To which Dad replied, totally straight-faced: “Grey-hound”.

I felt a bit sorry for the guy, who was completely flustered...
“...Oh...I thought it was an... is it ‘Ace-car‘...‘A-Cee-Car’...sorry...”
So I replied, “we’ve always said ‘Ah-Seeker’, (With the A as in ‘at’, not ‘Are’) if that’s any help”, but he still went away a bit embarrassed about not knowing his Arse-eekah from his Greyhound!

[Chicagowil]

Originally Posted by grybrd123

Just posted photos of the colors I want to use and the pattern for them. Opinions and comments gratefully accepted ...

Had to go back a few pages to see your color sample posting. I "LOVE" your thought of colors! I have always been partial to the lighter blues on the AC style bodies ever since I first had a test ride in an EM Cobra in Viking Blue with a beige interior. So, when I purchased my CR1 kit with a supplied beige interior and marina blue carpet, my choice was a no brainer (OK, no comments about the "no brainer"- I get that enough from my wife).




Thom

[grybrd123]

Hi:
Sorry to tell you, but I've changed my mind about the colors for my Aceca because I could NOT find interior colors I liked to go with the cream and blue exterior. I found a beautiful maroon, which with a cream nose and top stripe, will be the colors I use. The interior will be a darker tan on the seats and lighter tan for the carpets and headliner. I'll post a few pix in my gallery thread so you can see what I intend to do.

[Chicagowil]

I well understand sea sawing on color selection. My wife & I went to a local car show a couple of weeks ago and she fell in love with a Superperformance in a darker blue.

I have resisted so far- we'll see.

As far as maroons. I have had (company cars) 2 Chrysler minivans in Black Cherry. And I had a 1998 Lexus in a dark maroon as well as (currently) a Toyota FJ Cruiser in the same color. It has crossed my mind to paint my CRI in maroon/burgundy as well. But then I have to swap out the carpet- not that it would be the end of the world.

The Black Cherry was and has been one of my favorite all time colors. It is one of those colors that really highlights curves nicely. And your Aceca has some of the best curves of any car!

[grybrd123]

Hi guys:
I just tried to upload a bunch more pix, all small files, and got this message: "Exceeds your file space limitation". Does this mean I can't post any more photos? Or what?
Help!

[grybrd123]

After a bit of exploration, it seems that I have used up all of my available gallery storage, and the only way I can continue to post photos is to delete older ones to make space. I suspect that there are more than a few early pix that don't matter or provide much additional info, so I'm going to wait 24 hours for viewer comments (and possibly other solutions) and then I'll start thinning earlier pix.
Cheers!

[nikbj68]

Sign up with grybrd321, and then fill that one up too!

[xb-60]

David, no glibness intended, but you could consider becoming a Club Cobra financial supporter ($30 per year) which allows quite a bit more space for loading your pictures.
It'd a win/win solution

Cheers,
Glen