1952 Tojeiro Bristol Special

Along with help from Vin Davison, John Tojeiro built many one-of cars having various engines and transmissions. One such car was this Bristol Special based largely on a Ferrari Barchetta design. Using Bristol mechanicals, this special took the Ferrari concept one step further by adding a four wheel independent suspension.

Ernie Bailey, who had recently purchased AC Cars, was so taken by the small Tojeiro, he had John Tojeiro and Vin Davison design his upcoming sport scar. The result was the Ac Ace which eventually used the Bristol engine and transmission much like the car featured above.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	Inline-6
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	SOHC
displacement	1971 cc / 120.3 in³
power	74.6 kw / 100 bhp
specific output	50.74 bhp per litre
body / frame	Aluminum over Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
f brake size	mm / in
r brake size	mm / in
gear ratios	:1

Auction Sales History

1952 Tojeiro MG Barchetta Sports Racer – sold for $143,000

In the early 1950s, Cliff Davies commissioned John Tojeiro to build him a car with a two-liter, Bristol six-cylinder engine. Tojeiro, the established designer and builder of sports racing “specials,” obliged with a car registered as “LOY 500,” which was bodied by Panelcraft to look like a Ferrari 166MM Barchetta. The Bristol engine was developed from the BMW 328 and developed 128 horsepower, while the whole thing weighed only 1,180 pounds.

Soon after, Tojeiro built an MG-powered Barchetta, LOY 501, and one – perhaps two – more cars. One of these is believed to be the car on offer today, the MG-powered LOW 77, the other was Vin Davison’s LER 371, which was being built with a Lea-Francis engine. About the same time, Tojeiro was working for Ernie Bailey at Buckland Bodyworks, which was supplying bodies for A.C. Bailey suggested that A.C. might be interested in Tojeiro’s design.

Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions