Lot details

Year: 1973
Make: AC 428 Frua Coupe
Model: 428
Registration: TGC 651L
Chassis No: CF66
Engine No: 1124R8KR
Mileage: 35,700
•: One of only 51 Coupes.
•: Significant recent expenditure.

The concept of Italian styling coupled with American V8 horsepower was well established by the late 1960s, and no doubt influenced AC Cars' decision to reconfigure its fire-breathing Cobra sports car as a luxury Grande Routiere. A Cobra MkIII coil-suspended chassis was extended by 6" in the wheelbase and despatched to Italy to be clothed in elegant steel coachwork by Pietro Frua, the result looking not unlike the latter's Maserati Mistral. The first car, a two-seater convertible, was completed in time for the 1965 Earls Court Motor Show, while the following year's Geneva Salon saw the launch of an even more sensational fastback-styled coupe. Although the 428ci (7.0-litre) Ford Galaxie engine that gave the model its name produced less power than the Cobra 427's, the 345bhp on tap could deliver all the performance that customers desired.

Shrugging off the car's 1,416kgs weight and seemingly unhampered by the automatic transmission, as fitted to the majority of cars, this stupendous engine enabled road testers to record sub-six-second 0-60mph times and 0-100mph times of around 14.5 seconds, with a maximum speed in excess of 140mph. Hampered by an inflated price - the 428 cost considerably more than the contemporary Aston Martin DB6 - production never attained Cobra levels, a mere 81 being made between 1966 and 1973, the split being circa 51 coupes and only 30 convertibles (published figures vary). It is estimated that around 40 coupes remain.

Supplied new in 1973 to the UK this extremely rare car must be one of the last to be registered. Having spent time in both the US and Kuwait the mileage of 35700 is believed to be correct although this is not warranted. Since returning to the UK it has been subject to extensive recommissioning including replacement of both inner and outer sills, fitment of a new custom made aluminium radiator, high performance water pump, new wheels and tyres and retrimming of the seats to mention just a few.

Whilst not concours the car now presents very well and has been mechanically sorted and is ready to be driven and enjoyed as originally intended. A fraction of the price of its Cobra forbear this is a true collector's car and would grace any exotic stable. Consigned by John Dutton