Trimming an AC Ace-Bristol,

-It's jobs like this that remind me of how much I love my job!  This rare 1961 AC Ace is one of only 10 that were imported into Canada -  A National treasure! 
It was a western car, that changed owners a few times over the decades, and was originally white with red interior. 
Finally it was completely dismantled in the mid 2000's so it could be restored, however the owner passed away and so it sat disassembled for quite some time before it was again sold to its current owner who completed its restoration.

Here is the original interior as I received it all carefully preserved in boxes...  Having all this original trim to go by really helped get the patterns and details right in my reproduction of everything.

On the right is the original in red, and left is my new leather covers in dark blue...

Each component was carefully documented, patterned and reproduced accurately...

The cockpit coming together from the paint shop, to installing the leather covered dash I trimmed...

Coachwerks did all the metal and paint, returning the aluminum body to its former glory...

I can't show this car without showing off its beautiful 6 cyl. Bristol engine - which was actually sent to England for machining and rebuild by a company that specializes in these rare Bristol engines...
Tom Munro, Richard & Michael Owen shared in much of the cars meticulous reassembly...

Finally the car came to me in a fully running state for it's full interior installation. I started with all the cockpit insulation and carpets...

I trimmed the doors off of the car with carpet inside, then leather pockets - skived to fit with the door hinges, and finally leather pull cords installed with the latches...

Lots of leather panels covering the rear wall and wheel arches...

Finally I fit my fully trimmed leather seats in with some vintage seat belts I made to fit...

The boot interior was made a little more luxurious than factory with the addition of carpet (instead of rubber) on the boot floor, and a vinyl spare wheel cover.

On the shelf the side-screen stowage bag snaps in place, with plenty of room for the tonneau and top to stack above it..

The original tonneau on the left - still fit!  And my new one on the right...

Again, the original top (someone had dyed black from red at some point) - still fits!!

With a good fitting original top, I was able to make accurate patterns for my new top in blue...

The original perspex side-screens, I was able to polish the plexi and re-dye the material in a matching blue to the top...

Well that's a wrap for this project -

It's an honour and a privilege to be a contributor to the restoration of this beautiful piece of local automotive history!

Until next time -