The AC Bristol was derived from a design by English racer John Tojeiro that was purchased by the AC Car Company. This design became the AC Ace and in 1956, with the addition of the BMW-derived Bristol automobile engine, the AC Bristol. The AC Bristol, an aluminum-bodies roadster, with a massive tube frame and fully independent front and rear suspension, was raced in SCCA E-Production.

The cessation of engine manufacture would have signaled the imminent demise of AC Cars but for Carroll Shelby, who negotiated a deal to purchase AC chassis and bodies to build a car of his own. With a Ford 260 Hi-Performance engine, four-speed Borg Warner transmission and several modifications the first Cobra was hatched.

BEX 1044 was set up to race from the factory including the D2 engine and is currently on loan to The Shelby American Collection.