Description
DEPOSIT TAKEN
With Cobra sales flagging for AC, the 428 Frua was designed to target the Grand Touring trend gaining momentum in the late 60's and provide AC with a much needed new revenue stream. Utilising the same Chassis as the Cobra, but extended 6 inches, the design also included independent A-Arm suspension, rack & pinion steering, power disc brakes, a powerful 7 litre V8 coupled to an automatic transmission (the somewhat agricultural manual being an unpopular option) and crucially an absolutely gorgeous steel body crafted by Pietro Frua of Italy. Road tests of the day hailed a great design with few vices but unfortunately for AC, the 428 was very expensive to produce and so ultimately few were sold.
1 of 51 Coupes produced, CF66 is an original Right Hand Drive UK car, later exported to the USA and then Kuwait. It must be amongst the last to be registered; 1973 being the last year the 428 was sold.
During my ownership, I have completed a program of sympathetic renovation to bring it up to the excellent driver quality car it is today.
Major works completed by me have included:
• Sills both sides replaced
• Seats professionally recovered per original spec
• Brake calipers and servos disassembled and rebuilt
• Electrics gone through to get everything working again
• 5 new wheels and tyres
• Aluminium radiator, hp water pump and spal fan (original parts retained)
• Fuel system upgraded for E5/ 10 fuel
• Many more minor jobs to get it up to a usable standard
Retaining a high degree of originality, this car is ready to be enjoyed as-is, or improved further if that's your thing.
The AC428 is one of those Classics that just begs to be driven; 2300 rpm at 70 mph and an absolute wall of power and torque on tap from 7 litres of V8 has to be experienced to be appreciated. Modern enough to be used; pretty enough to create a stir wherever she goes.
The reliability and usability of this car was demonstrated in the Spring of 2025 when we used her for a roadtrip from my home in Kent to the Highlands of Scotland (travelog on pistonheads forum "Kent to Raasay by AC428"). She performed flawlessly, covering almost 1400 miles and averaging 19. 7 mpg with 2 persons and a lot of luggage aboard!
These gorgeous cars are rarely available in truly usable condition, so when one does come up at sensible money it might just be the time to seriously consider why you would wait any longer before owning one....... This car is now for sale to make room for my next project so I'm happy to talk to prospective new owners.
Interesting projects considered in PX.
