Messages

Thank you for the info....I saw this Ace in the long time owners warehouse about three years ago and as far as I know it has not changed hands.  The idea of a "lost" Ace is very appealing but in this case, this one is apparently no longer a mystery.  I do have a few pictures but I should get permission to foward beforehand.  Gary

Final update:  I found a website centered on Riverside Raceway with a number of pages dedicated to the making of the movie...pretty interesting reading with alot about the cars and drivers, stunts, etc.  See "http://home.roadrunner.com/~fsheff/pits5.htm".
   
   The studio article lists the driver of the Ace as John Timanus...a very well known international racer (mostly Lotus) involved with the development of some of the Shelby cars and ultimately the Tech chief for the SCCA (inducted in the SCCA Hall of Fame this year).
   
   So we have a salesman in 1958 who knew the car, imported by a Lotus dealership owned by a well known Lotus racer, who supplied the car for the movie driven by another renown Lotus racer, with a listing of the car/driver in a studio production archive, in Hollywood central to Riverside Raceway.  John Timanus (try googling him) passed away with family contacts so early pictures will be difficult.  A few more pics of BEX402 are at "http://www.flickr.com/photos/4x4woodie/".

I watched the movie and learned a few things.  First, a movie about a nuclear cloud that destroys humanity is not alot of fun although the cast was famous and Academy Awards were won.  Also, its pretty hard to identy a swarms of vintage cars in a death race where the action is speeded up for dramatic effect...being on dusty Riverside Raceway doesn't help either.  Anyway, I couldn't clearly make out the Ace.  However, to support the claim of only two Aces sold at Jay Camberlain (one Red, one Blue), BEX403 sold not too long ago here in California and its BLUE!  So although not documented, the history of BEX402 has roots.

Today I had an unbelievable discovery re the history of BEX402.  An  email was fowarded to me from a mechanic who worked for the US importer of my Ace, Jay Chamberlain Automotive here in Burbank, Calif in 1958.  He was sure he knew this car because it was damaged (oil pan only) while "borrowing" it after hours to race in the LA River (concrete channel) after which he was fired then rehired.  We talked today and Jay Chamberlain only had two Aces while he was there...a blue one and a red one.  Then came the best news, BEX402 was the car used in a 1959 movie called "On The Beach" with Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire, etc.  I am ordering the movie on dvd but apparently the car was promiently featured with roll bar in some racing clips.  Will update this once the movie is in hand.  Jay Chamberlain also had a huge roll in racing history, mostly Lotus, and the Hollywood car guys in those days.

I bought some from Ron Leonard (HYD050)..1 1/2" long overall and they fit hex on orig bleed tool.  GC

I used that brake bleeder on BEX402 and it was definitely designed to go thru the rear emergency brake housing that sits over the bleeder. Saved hours of pain. Gary

I have one of Ron's adaptors and I have a few thoughts.  I haven't run a Bristol before this one but the oil pressure seems high  80PSI at 3,000rpm vs 60 suggested.  I have adjusted the relief valve a few turns and although it drops the pressure, at this psi there doesn't feel like the internal spring is under much compression.  The block is fresh with limited time (1 hour start up and limited driving).  Also with Ron's adaptor you MUST use a specific Fram filter....the oil flow is counter standard and this small filter is unique in that it does not have a one-way valve.  Any comments on the oil pressure??

Could someone give me their ideas of the best stateside gearbox to mate with a Zephyr 2.6 going into my Aceca???  The rocket or bullet box was suggested but the tail is too long, the short tail rare (here at least) and parts stateside are unknown.  The Moss is correct but has weaknesses and expensive parts. I have the Zephyr bell housing, flywheel, clutch (bearing and arm).  Quaife has a short tail...expensive....then I don't know the expediant solution to mate any of the above with the Ford bell housing.  I was told Volvo is a stout match.  Does anyone have an adaptor plate for one of these options??  I may be doing AEX595 after all.  Thanks for any help!  Gary Cox

Now that the new year is here, I am going to more actively try to find a new home for BEX402.   I would really like to see it go to an appreciating club member rather than a broker who will turn it for a profit.  Also the mods behind the front seat were determined to be for a roll bar and I would still like to find info on any racing history. The paperwork supports its 25k miles on the odometer, comes with orig tools, jack and handle, top and bows, grease gun, engine crank, side curtains and storage bag, a fresh Bristol engine, Calif black license plates and 1971 "pink slip" title, and is in time warp condition.  Just a very honest example.  Happy New Year! Gary gkc"at"roadrunner"dot"com

This club is such a great source of help.  Thanks again.  Latest news....I took another look underneath and noticed what looked like a factory plate 5"x 3/8" flat steel running on either side of the left chassis tube across the rear of the left cockpit.  There were four holes with welded nuts on the bottom on each side.  Mystery solved....roll bar mounts for a hoop that attached to the floor behind the seat with a center brace to the welded support in the trunk (I know there's a proper English term!).  The front mods must have been for towing or for a "hook" to be pulled off track.  Any mention of BEX402 in any of the Ace racing books or stories??
   
   Also, I do have the longer footbox on the left side and the back face slopes inward towards the bottom.  Looks like the other options might be the only way to squeeze in.  Cheers, Gary

Keith....I have two Borroni wires that came with the Ace.  I believe they are 16" and are alloy....are these stronger than the stock and if I dont use them, what's a reasonable amount to ask for them.  They need restoring (polishing etc).  I also didn't notice any specs for tighting the "knock offs"...would that be three hard hammer swacks with lube??  Gary

This an extremely solid car with absolutely no rust or corrosion. It AEX595...a 1957.   I haven't shipped a car overseas before but I will certainly assist if its heading back to the Uk.  I will be happy to answer any questions.  Too many projects!!
   Gary (also BEX402 Ace)

Great pictures and ideas.  Thanks for posting and the oil/break-in info.  Does anyone know how much longer the later footboxes are??  Its sort of hard to tell from the pic but it looks 3-4".  GC

Thanks  John and Jay.  I have looked at all the solutions including trying out a 15" Moto Lita wheel.  There are tall people with long torsos and short legs and tall people with just heads and all legs.  I'm closer to the later.
   
   I think it can be done..I am just reluctant to make any changes (holes, cushions, wheel wells, etc).  I will play with it over the upcoming holidays.
   
   Any suggestions on air cleaners, break-in, and best gearbox oil??
   
   Thanks guys!

The only important remaining work is to make sure fuel tank debri, if any, doesn't get into the carbs.  I put an inline fuel filter in front of the fuel pump (which has the screen) to see what might be flowing.  The A arm bushings appear tight with only slight play in the steering bushing.  It wouldn't take grease so I bought a rebuild kit.  I need to replace the air filters if someone can recommend a suitable replacement.   I am a little concerned about how to break in the new rings/pistons properly...all suggestions appreciated.  The car handled well enough at slow speed but replacing the shocks anyway probably would be wise.  Everything I touched was just cleaned or wiped down and not resprayed to preserve its "as found" integrety.   In my short few stints in the car, my height and a tight fit may call for a short honeymoon.  If anyone knows of a later, long foot box model for trade or sale, please let me know.
   
   Jay, since I know what's in your Ace, the race would only be fair if you called leaving your house to give me a headstart.  On the other hand, as an old vintage racer maybe.......