1969 AC 428 Fastback Coupe

1969 AC 428 Fastback Coupe
Coachwork by Frua
Chassis no. CFX28

428ci OHV Ford V8 Engine
4-Barrel Carburetor
345bhp at 3,400rpm
Ford C6 Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*One of just 51 AC 428 Frua Fastback examples ever produced
*One of three believed to have been delivered new to the US
*Largely original and well preserved
*One of only 12 left-hand drive examples

THE AC 428

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 Grand Routier. A Cobra MkIII coil-suspended chassis was extended by 6" in the wheelbase and dispatched 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-liter) Ford Galaxie engine that gave the model its name produced less power than the Cobra 427's, the 345bhp on tap was capable of delivering 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.

However, shipping rolling chassis to Turin and back again after the bodies had been installed was both time-consuming and expensive, leading to delayed deliveries. Hampered by an inflated price - the 428 cost considerably more than the contemporary Aston Martin DB6 - production never attained Cobra levels, a mere 80 being made between 1966 and 1973, the split being 29 convertibles and 51 coupes. Despite attrition and even some cars broken down to create replica Cobras, marque experts estimate an outstanding survival rate with about 65 examples known remaining in existence.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This 1969 AC 428 Fastback is a particularly compelling example. While it is exceedingly rare to see an AC 428 of any kind, this is one of only 12 AC 428s built in left-hand drive (as indicated by the 'X' in the chassis number) and one of three believed to have been delivered new to the United State. In largely original condition, it has been beautifully preserved over the last half century. Subject to an older repaint, the interior appears to be as it left the factory, down the 8-Track player mounted in the dash.

Showing 16,844 miles at the time of cataloging—a figure that was reported to be original by the prior owner—the AC was acquired by the current owner in November of 2012 has covered a mere four miles in the past decade and change. Given the limited use lo these many years, mechanical recommissioning is recommended.

If concerns about seeing yourself going the other direction at a stoplight keep you up at night, this left-drive AC 428 will all but ensure that fate will probably never happen.

Exceedingly rare, hand built, and handsomely restored, this 1971 AC 428 Fastback is a wonderful example and truly marks the end of an era on several fronts.