Can Anyone ID This AC Bristol Photo?

[rhbeede]

Folks,  There is a neat photo of an AC Bristol, race-prepared car, on EBay-USA. It is item number: 372658172328, and is offered by a "aherl", in the Neatherlands. She is the daughter of a well-known European photographer, who was active in my areas, including Motorsports.
Based on the cars in the background, the photo appears to be taken in the States, presumably down in LA somewhere. However, that is just a guess. The two gentlemen in the photo look like Brits to me, but that is also another guess.  I have contacted Amy Herl, who is offering the photo for sale on EBay USA, and she has no details to offer. I would greatly appreciate any ideas the forum might have on this photo. I would think it would have to be more than just a local club racer in the early days of the SCCA( Sports Car Club of America).
Thank you!  Bob Beede

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Bristol-production-cars-press-photograph-automobile-car-pre-Ford-Shelby-Cobra/372658172328?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180816085401%26meid%3D1fb7bd818db441c1b47c6deb13a7e242%26pid%3D100970%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D372658172328%26itm%3D372658172328&_trksid=p2481888.c100970.m5481&_trkparms=pageci%3Aaff872a1-6878-11e9-afce-74dbd1804883%7Cparentrq%3A5beb6db916a0aa669398f506fffb87b5%7Ciid%3A1

[AC Ace Bristol]

.
Bob

Great Period Photo......Great Find.  Any More from the Series . ? . :)

Photo is one of a series  of street scene photos taken in 1959 of Ace Bristol  BEX243 ,  when this Ace wore Race number 175EP, and number plate (Registration number  18 184.
I believe the guy in the Chequered Cap could be  T K Van Northwick ?? 
The engineers all had the same Overalls   with Kendall   2000 mile Motor Oils logo on their back.
Other associated Information .....    One of the  photo' s  I have shows BEX243 outside  Foreign Cars Inc  Show room / workshop and another photo associated with the Name  Ed Welch.
All the photos dated 1959 and 1960.  Brief History ......................

BEX243 left UK for G Ragsdale in Virginia on the 8th January 1957 who raced it and came 8th equal in 1958 SCCA,   Ed Welch Raced in 1957 / 1958 and 1959 successfully in SCCA.

BEX243 eventually landed back in the UK and underwent a full restoration  by Mike Berrisford  in 1998.

Only have a few pictures of BEX243 ACtually racing,  Has any one  more Period Race Pictures ?   if so can you please share with
ACOC members either in  ACtion  Magazine or on the  Club Forum   and to complement the ACOC Official Ace Bristol Register .. ;)

Last but not least.   Beware,    this is a  fresh copy not the original 1950s  copy ,so the vendor could well print and  sell dozens of copy on ebay.

Keith
.

[rhbeede]

Keith!! As we California surfers say to "dudes" held in highs esteem, "You Da Man, Brother"!😆How cool is it, readers, to post a 60 year-old photo of two guys standing next an AC Bristol, and have someone like Keith not only ID the car, but its history??I'm STOKED!(pleasantly surprised and excited!)😆). No wonder you are listed as a Hero Member to the Forum! Keith, in years past, I haven't subscribed to the AC magazine. I never look at the SAAC one online. Do you print hard copies of yours? I now have some time to read up more about AC cars history. I have owned by car, CSX 2073, since 1967. I bought it from the original owner. I'm in semi-desperate need for some good used,NOS, or correct reproduction Lockheed dust cover boots for the tie rods(=ball joints in Brit) for its worm and Sector steering. A couple have now split in the middle of the donut. So, let me know if we can elevate your status from "Hero" to "Big Kahuna"😋 Thanks so much for your help and time! Bob

[jrlucke]

The seller also has a photo labeled "AC Cobra Ford Shelby first racecar in debut race Laguna Seca 1962".

I believe this is really the 1964 USRRC race and the 2 cars shown (#50 and 98) are Ken Miles (the lighter #50) and Ed Leslie (#98).

I thought the Cobra's racing debut was at the LA Times Grand Prix at Riverside in October 1962.

John

[bbrown]

You can see the photo of BEX 243 and other photos on this Flickr account:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13539555@N00/albums/72157626150643907/with/7204566178/
Downloads are permitted, so enjoy.

The photo from the 64 Laguna USRRC race is a photo taken by Dave Friedman.  It is really annoying to see someone take a professional photographer's work and try to make money off it by selling a copy on ebay.  A lot of Dave's work is available for public viewing on Flickr courtesy of the Henry Ford Collection.  This took a lot of effort by the Henry Ford Musuem and it is great for Dave to put it up for the public.  It is available once you log onto Flickr and go to "The Henry Ford".  I was not able to post a valid link. 
I'm pretty damn sure Dave didn't intend for people to grab the images and sell them on ebay. 
Regards, Bert

[AC Ace Bristol]

.
Bob.

I'm no Hero!  The term on this Forum  Indicates you  have posted  far too many posts over the years.

The ACOC  publish 11 ACtion Magazines per year from February through December,  Many members can assist with technical expertise and direct you to suppliers of correct Period NOS or reproduction spares.
Great to learn you have a Cobra CSX2073  ( Jan 1963 ).
Can you please email me a couple of pictures to complement and possibly update The official ACOC Cobra register  .

AC Cobra Register for Thames Ditton Cobras ..  ..  ..  Robin Stainer   ..  email :  rstainer@radcothouse.co.uk

Definitely worth joining the AC Owners club ,  £60.00 per at the current exchange rate,  join via the club web site and use paypal.   ;)

USA Centre - representative  Jim Feldman    Jim@jwfrestoration.com
Portland , Oregon. (503) 643 3225.

Cheers
Keith

[rhbeede]

All: Thank you for taking time to communicate! It was great fun looking at the Family photos of the 356 and AC Bristol on the flicker link. Keith, I will dig out a couple photos and Email them to you. I hope I can find some NOS parts for my car! Best, Bob

[bbrown]

Bob,
If you are looking for parts please contact me at moosehd2@pacbell dot net and I can get you directly in touch with someone who might be able to help.
Regards,
Bert Brown
Danville, CA

[rhbeede]

Bert: Before contacting you, please name some of the NORCAL SAAC members who you know. I quit participating in this forum for some time when a scammer tried to get my personal information, claiming they had access to parts. So, I'm understandably Leary of your offer!