Donated to the Shelby American Collection by Tom and Pat Walter:
The AC Bristol was derived from a design by English racer John Tojairo that was purchased by the AC Car Company. This design became known as 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. This particular car is equipped with engine number 1559 S73, a six-cylinder powerplant of 1571 cc displacement and 9.5:1 compression ratio, mated to a 4-speed gearbox.

This fine example of the design that later became the basis for the Cobra, was specially ordered from AC for racing in late 1956 by Pat Mahoney who raced this AC many times in 1957 at various tracks including Laguna Seca. In 1958 BEX 254 was sold to Robert Squier Jones Sr. who resold the car to Ernie Mendicki in 1962 for a very charitable amount!

Ernie raced in many Vintage events on the West Coast over the next 25 years before selling the AC to Steven Rees in 1987. Some time later Tom & Pat Walter purchased this well preserved AC Bristol race car and campaigned it extensively in international vintage sports car events, including the Milla Migila; the California Mills, the Colorado Grand; Road America; Mid-Ohio; Rosbling Road and SCCA events. The car has also been featured in automotive magazines throughout its history, including; Sports Car Illustrated (December 1957); Car and Driver (April 1961); Victory Lane (August 1990); and Gentlemen's Quarterly (September 1992).