Description
One of only fifty-one Coupes ever built
Left-Hand Drive and EU Registered
Despite the Shelby Cobra program achieving multiple victories, including the 1965 FIA World Manufacturers GT Championship, Ford chose to shift focus to its in-house GT40 project in the same year, effectively ending the Cobra's production. With sales declining and no further support from Ford, AC's Derek Hurlock set out to design a new model. While the Cobra MKIII was exhilarating, it lacked the practicality Hurlock wanted in its successor. The result was a far more refined Gran Turismo.
Named after the 7014cc Ford V8 engine (which would also power the later street Cobras), the 428 featured a six-inch longer chassis than its predecessor. It was equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and a Salisbury limited-slip differential to handle the engine's 345bhp. The body was designed by Turin-based coachbuilder Frua, who debuted a sleek convertible at the 1965 Earl’s Court Motor Show and a stylish fastback at the 1966 Geneva Salon.
When production began in 1968, the 428 was an expensive proposition, reputedly capable of 0 to 60 mph in just 5. 4 seconds and a top speed of over 145 mph, even with the standard three-speed automatic transmission. Its price tag was over £1, 000 more than that of an Aston Martin DB6.
This particular car left the Thames Ditton factory on March 4, 1969, finished in Ruby Red with Beige trim and delivered to Zurich, Switzerland. Period photographs from the early 1970s show that by this time, the car had been repainted silver. It was owned by Mr. Schmidlin of Switzerland from 1973 to 1978, before being acquired by Mr. Rudolf of Mannheim, Germany. Mr. Rudolf undertook a comprehensive restoration of the vehicle, which included detailed documentation, correspondence with specialists, the AC factory, and engineers. The restoration took over four years to complete. Mr. Rudolf kept the car until 2007, at which point it was sold to the most recent custodian, registered in Ireland.
For the past 18 years, the car has been meticulously maintained by its current owner, who has used it frequently in events like the Euroclassic rally. We are thrilled to present this exceptional Frua-bodied Fastback for sale. It not only looks fantastic but also delivers impressive performance, with a strong 7-litre V8 engine and no cooling issues. The sale includes a comprehensive history file, consisting of three folders with sales brochures, early history, and works manuals.
£149, 995
To find out more about this significant motorcar please contact our sales team for further details, viewing by prior appointment.
