Hello - New member, Kent

289, FIA & Daytona topics
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RichardL
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Hello - New member, Kent

Post by RichardL »

Hi,
Hope this is the right place to say hello?

I'm slightly hooked on the look of the AC Ace Bristol after a visit to the Haynes Motor Museum last week - the ACE just grabbed my attention as I wandered by.
One build under my belt - a GBS Zero, but seriously thinking of moving on to something a little different in the new year.

I do have other requirements than the look;
Has to be a driver/tourer and reasonably nippy; i.e. more focus on driving & reliability than 'exact' replica of anything.
Touch wood the Zero's 15k miles since build have been reliable and reasonably economical ~30mpg ish, just fuel and general maintenance required - I wan't to maintain that approach.

The huge variable/area of research now is drivetrain - don't want to go crazy - just find that balance between cost and fun driving.
GBS Zero GT, Zetec 2.0
Build: May 2012 - June 2013 Links: http://richards-gbs-zero.blogspot.co.uk
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StewbieC
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by StewbieC »

Hi there Richard,
A couple of Hawk Aces have a BMW straight six fitted giving plenty of poke and reliability.
If you have a look at the various build blogs on the home page under building a 289 there's plenty of inspiration.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
________________________________________________
Stu
Hawk 289, 66 Mustang Fastback with a 289 maximum smiles per mile..
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nikbj68
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by nikbj68 »

Hello and welcome!
If I wasn't so irreconcilably hooked on the Cobra, the Ace Bristol would be 'it'!
Triumph 2.5 is a good period looking & sounding motor, especially with the 4-speed O/D 'box, Beemer gives modern day performance, but... Have a look at this Zephyr-engined Hawk Ace at TotalHeadTurners, which I saw at the NEC last week.
Really REALLY authentic looking, lots of detail in the interior, and the optimum period engine choice!
Love it love it LOVE IT! 8)
Hawk 289 FiA...AT LAST!!!
RichardL
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:24 pm

Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by RichardL »

I think some on-paper research over the winter - then take a proper look around at Stoneleigh - if not before, once the weather picks up next year + hopefully get some of Gerry's time to see some examples.

That Zephyr ACE is already my desktop background at work - to keep me inspired!
GBS Zero GT, Zetec 2.0
Build: May 2012 - June 2013 Links: http://richards-gbs-zero.blogspot.co.uk
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Paul Blore
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by Paul Blore »

One of our members, I think it was David Whitty, took his Ace to the Sywell Pistons & Props a couple of years ago. He had done a beautiful job of building it and while I'm not any kind of authority on the Ace, it looked very period correct and even more so that the one linked above.
David lives in the Northampton area, so if you join the club, you'll be able to get his and other Ace owners' details for help and advice.

Paul
Paul Blore
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by Paul Blore »

It was David and I've just found his build website:

http://g4fev.atspace.com/hawk2.6.htm

Paul
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amulheirn
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by amulheirn »

Welcome Richard!

One of our club members in Kent is about to start an Ace build - a chap called Paul. He's got a website up about it, and I mean to go and visit him some time: http://aceac.weebly.com

He was recently on the cover of Practical Classics with a TR he has restored pretty nicely.
pc-paul-anderson.jpg

Cheers,
Andrew
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peterc
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by peterc »

If you like the sleek smooth sides of the Ace but are not quite sure on the nose job you could persuade Hawk Cars to mold a 2.6 model body which had the Mk1 Cobra nose but the Ace sides. I think it looks the best of them all.
I had never heard of the model of car you currently drive but I built a Westfield SEi with a Ford 1700. Only 110 BHP but gave Ford Cosworths a bit of agro.
Peter c
Last edited by peterc on Sun Nov 20, 2016 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RichardL
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Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by RichardL »

Hi Peter,
TBH - I like that nose :) the little extra height & the front wings not looking so much like torpedoes
GBS Zero GT, Zetec 2.0
Build: May 2012 - June 2013 Links: http://richards-gbs-zero.blogspot.co.uk
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RichardL
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:24 pm

Re: Hello - New member, Kent

Post by RichardL »

So - how do I shortlist engine/transmission?

I have no particular affiliation to a spec here -
I need to end up with sub 8 second 0-60 - its got to feel like a sports-car, + be able to cruise 70+ on a motorway.

The Zero was easy - the spec/kit/standard option was 2 litre Zetec, not really any choice unless I needed to create a racecar.


What questions should I be answering to choose an engine / transmission combination?
Which books should I be reading?

Any pointers greatly appreciated.
GBS Zero GT, Zetec 2.0
Build: May 2012 - June 2013 Links: http://richards-gbs-zero.blogspot.co.uk
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