Solved - NEH 3931: AC Ace-Bristol Le Mans 1958 rebodied 1970s

[Carnut]

What's this, by whom, from when - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[Carnut]

Actually I've just spotted that this is technically a repost, although it has not been puzzled in this form exactly before.
So I'll leave it where it is but I don't think it can progress beyond the Experts in case no Rookie or Expert solves it.

[Carnut]

Experts?

[datsone]

Racing-bodied version of a British production car?

[Carnut]

Racing-bodied version of a British production car?

Yes; it's a rebody.

[datsone]

AC?

[Carnut]

AC?

Yes, so I'll lock it for you for 24 hours to see what you can find.

[datsone]

24 hours -- an appropriate frame of reference for this lovely little car 

Apparently this is BEX 289. Originally built as an Ace roadster, a series of modifications began for LeMans 1960 and evolved into the fixed-head as it's been restored today.

"BEX 289 was bodied at Gachnang's workshop by the two brothers with assistance given from Franco Senaldi, Franco was an italian employee of Carrosseria GROSSMAN located at Aigle ...".

Another reference:
"Their cars were called CEGGA which means: Claude Et Georges Gachnang Aigle."

[Carnut]

24 hours -- an appropriate frame of reference for this lovely little car 

Apparently this is BEX 289. Originally built as an Ace roadster, a series of modifications began for LeMans 1960 and evolved into the fixed-head as it's been restored today.

"BEX 289 was bodied at Gachnang's workshop by the two brothers with assistance given from Franco Senaldi, Franco was an italian employee of Carrosseria GROSSMAN located at Aigle ...".

Another reference:
"Their cars were called CEGGA which means: Claude Et Georges Gachnang Aigle."

You're right in that this is BEX289, the AC modified by Cegga.
But below is the Cegga Ace, so it's still yours to fill in all the details before your 24 hours expires!

[datsone]

Still looking for info on when BEX 289 lost its double-bubble roof, etc., but from a detailed discussion it WASN'T the work of:

Drogo
Michel Bricod
Ghia

"We have now to find later in between 1972 and 1976."

[datsone]

The answer to this may be on a French site that won't let me register, so someone else can have a go. Many pictures of the photogenic car at recent LM reunions, including this that probably shows the car's history in the background. Base car is a Bristol-engined 1958 Ace, BTW.

[Carnut]

OK, I think it's time to call this one solved now as you've given most of the information that's available.
No-one knows for sure who built this body; it was done when the car was sold by the Gachnangs to Frenchman Michel Larive and there is some speculation that he gave the job to Piero Drogo.  It's a bit unlikely however as M. Larive was perennially short of money so he probably wouldn't have been able to afford to pay an Italian carrozzeria to do it.

Even the AC Owner's club don't know the answer..

There is a bit more about it in my puzzle NEH 1917 but at that time there were no pictures of the completed body; now there are!:

[nicanary]

I've used this joke before, but I can't resist........it was rebodied "gachnang-style".....

Sorry.

I'll get me coat.........

(Apologies to Psi)

[Carnut]

I've used this joke before, but I can't resist........it was rebodied "gachnang-style".....

Sorry.

I'll get me coat.........

(Apologies to Psi)

Ouch!

[datsone]

Thanks, Carnut! When the AC group and previous owners of the car were debating this as well, it narrowed the odds of putting a name to the coachwork -- even though it's out there somewhere.