Looking for a 1958 Ace fiberglass body

john chesnut · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2011, 08:47 PM

Does anybody know if there is a fiberglass body available for the 58 ACE? Mr Bruce by chance? Thanks, John

StewbieC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011, 12:55 AM

Hi John,
Don't know if there are any replicas stateside for an Ace but Gerry Hawkridge of Hawk cars in the UK do an Ace replica.
HTH

mr bruce · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011, 04:14 AM

Yep, I can do that, all I need is a deposit, drop me an e-mail to discuss

1985 CCX · #4 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011, 09:34 AM

John

I might suggest Sagebrush....

1985 CCX · #5 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011, 08:56 PM

John

Widest point 60"

mr bruce · #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 05:21 AM

here'as a link to one of my bodies,(John 0's) just shave off the fenderlips, that are about 1" per side and you'll get 59", the front mustash, will have to be done old school from scratch or splashed off an original car. Off to Metal-Morphous - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

john chesnut · #7 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 08:34 AM

Thanks Jeff for taking the time to get me that measurement. See you soon.

Thanks mr Bruce for the information and the great conversation! John

LMH · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 11:39 AM

I wonder if Metal-Morphous could do his spray aluminum coating to an entire glass body. Would be pretty cool to have a glass aluminum brushed body.

Hey John!
If you're looking for an old school body, you could do an AC 2.6. No flares but no mustache either.
Larry

john chesnut · #9 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the suggestion of the AC 2.6! I like it better!

LMH · #10 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 04:27 PM

AC Ace 2.6:

Larry

john chesnut · #11 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 06:31 PM

I think it's a beautiful car. Here's what I am thinking. The ACE has a 90 inch wheelbase. The 1989-1997 Miata has a 90 inch wheelbase. Over 400,000 of these were made. The 2.6 had a 6 cyl engine. The Miata has 4 cyl and a 5 speed overdrive transmission. The Miata has true double wishbone suspension-not struts. The engine/trans is bolted to a torque tube which bolts to the 4.10 limited slip diff. The brakes are discs all around. The stock Miata engine has good power. There is a ton of aftermarket performance parts, brake parts, and suspension parts available. How about one of my space frames that the Miata parts bolt to and then the ACE 2.6 body slips over it. I think the total weight would be around 1700lbs. My buddy bought a complete great running Miata for $2,000. Checking around I found a damaged one for $500. If a complete kit were available that just needed the Miata parts to complete was available for around $10,000 do you think that there would be a market for it? I think the key for this to be a viable option is that the ACE 2.6 was not a V8 car. I realize that this would not be an accurate reproduction but i think that it would be a fun and great driver. Thoughts?

LMH · #12 (**permalink**) 05-22-2011, 06:49 PM

I had a similar idea but using the Miata running gear on a Lotus 7 or 11 replica.

It's not a bad idea and would be fun with a lot better fuel economy than a V-8. The idea worked for the Smith brothers with FFR.

Larry

strictlypersonl · #13 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 05:23 AM

Your problem is the large difference in track between the cars, and it looks like the Miata already uses wheels with high backspacing.

john chesnut · #14 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 05:41 AM

That's true. It would require doing away with the miata suspension cradles. Then building the frame with narrowed pick up points. This would require new axles and steering rack. It's probably more trouble than it's worth. But, i still like the simple, clean lines of the ACE.

Ozgur_Tan · #15 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 02:00 PM

KOKOPELLI LOTUS 11 MIATA

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

I had a similar idea but using the Miata running gear on a Lotus 7 or 11 replica.

It's not a bad idea and would be fun with a lot better fuel economy than a V-8. The idea worked for the Smith brothers with FFR.

Larry

john chesnut · #16 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 06:43 PM

I found that the Kellison J4 roadster is 67 inches wide. The Miata is 66 inches. This means that the stock suspension cradles could be made to simply bolt into a frame and run with out modification. The wheelbase of the J4 is 98 inches. The Miata wheelbase is 90. Since the engine/trans is connected to the diff I am betting that the engine/shifter ends up in the right location. With the engine set back 10 inches from the front axle line the balance should be great. How about a supercharged 4 cyl Miata engine in the roadster. I'm thinking 1500lbs.

sorry, I was trying to attach a pic of the J4 but it didn't take. I will try again.