AE 65

[tim isles]

For those that missed it, a very tidy looking Ace crossed the block at R&M's Battersea auction on Wednesday. I think it may have been a late entry to the sale.
   
   http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=LF11&CarID=r237&fc=0
   
   From the photos the car looks to be in very nice original condition. It's still got its original rare UMC engine, as well as all the early features like the different over riders, the 'Monza' fuel cap,  a boot lock that needs to be opened with a T key, single round tail lights (OK, these are slightly larger than the originals, but they were almost impossible to see), reflectors on the boot, glove box without a lid, and for the real purist, inner front wings built using a radiused curve as opposed to the crease used on later cars!
   
   It has some competition history, and a certain entry for the modern MM, should the owner wish to go down that route. Incidentally this a factor that sees a lot of interest in early AC-engined Aces at the moment. I'm told it sold, but have not been able to confirm the figure.

[ANTOINE PRUNET]

Tim,
   The Ace was indeed a late entry, in replacement to an Alfa Romeo 1900 Zagato with some issues to be solved.
   For this reason the AC (which is officially reported as sold for £125.000 all incl.) does not appear in the catalogue. but pictures might be be appreciated here.
   Thanks for your contribution.

[tim isles]

Thank you Antoine. I'll get some help with uploading the pictures from the catalogue and hopefully they will appear shortly.

[Bill P]

Some pictures from RM Auctions website which I shall withdraw if there are copyright problems
   
   
   
   
   Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[nikbj68]

A couple more from Tim of AE 65:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   And finally, looking quite incongruous against that backdrop:
   
   
   

[ANTOINE PRUNET]

Thank you so much Tim and nikbj68.
   Very attractive presentation IMHO.
   Isn't £125,000 a record price for a non-Bristol Ace ?
   Cheers

[Robin A Woolmer]

They will get even more expensive when the AC engine cars go past the Britol cars! am looking forward to it.
   
   Robin

[jrlucke]

Currently showing on Classic Driver at Houtkamp Collection in Amsterdam for $240k US.
   
   http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/find/4100_results.asp?sorderby=dtSubmitDate&fc=13&action=simple%5Fsearch&lmanufacturer=%2A&next=4100%5Fresults%2Easp&bsubmit=true&lmostrecent=200&lCarID=1836749

[tim isles]

Antoine, sorry for late reply, no, not a record but they are not getting cheaper. It appears the Houtkamp collection value it higher.

[ANTOINE PRUNET]

Hi Tim,
   As far as I know AE65 was SOLD £125k by RM on Oct. 26.
   Yes Houtkamp is ASKING for more but only asking.
   So in my opinion £125k is still a record price PAID so far for an Ace. Of course I refer to auction sales only.
   Incidentally was Houtkamp (who is mute on the serial nr.) the final and succesful bidder at RM's?
   Cheers,
   Antoine

[Gus Meyjes]

What an incredibly pretty looking car. The colors are fantastic, in my opinion. I wish I had a trip to the homeland planned in the next month, as I usually do. I would go check it out.
   
   Gus

[tim isles]

Hi Antoine,
   
   Auction, yes, possibly, although AEX 138 sold a couple of years ago (R&M again) for I think $193K. At that time the £/$ rate was not as high as it is today so on conversion it worked out at around £135K. But these are vagaries of the exchange rates so difficult to compare. Whatever, it was another lovely car.
   I do not know who was the final bidder as I only got to hear about the car from someone who attended the auction. I'd guess that Houtkamp will not have it for long.
   Tim

[ANTOINE PRUNET]

Hi Tim,
   
    In euros, AEX138 at RM/Phoenix (21 Jan 201) made 136,675 € (was 192,500 $) vs 143,640 € (was 125,000 £) for AE65 at RM/London (26 Oct. 2011).
   Vagaries of the exchange rates yes. But with a slight edge for AE65 not even taking into consideration the fact that Lhd cars usually command rather lower prices than Rhd ones, IMO.
   This also confirm your saying: "they are not getting cheaper"... Bonsoir,
   Antoine

[bex316]

Gus,
   
   In fact I will check it out next Saturday. I made an appointment with Houtkamp today.
   So far I have only sold them a car once but never bought from them [;)]
   Hope it is still around by that time!
   
   Jerry

[Jim A]

Darn this dyslexia!  The note says LHD, but the car says RHD.