Dataplate
Registry
Body
/Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
1
CF 1
LPH 800D
Roadster
¿427?
Right Hand
[Prototype] All-Aluminium body, no side vents behind front wheels.
Driven by John Steed [Patrick McNee] in episode "Invasion of the Earthmen" of "The Avenger's" TV Series [do a find on "LPH 800D"], also appears in the following Avenger's episodes after Steed's character gives the car to Tara:
  • The Forget-Me-Knot,
  • Super Secret Cypher,
  • Snatch,
  • You'll Catch Your Death,
  • Split!,
  • Whoever Shot Poor George...,
  • Look - (stop me if...,
  • Get-A-Way!,
  • My Wildest Dream.  

However, the car is only driven by Steed/McNee in the "Invasion of the Earthmen" episode.

2
CFX 2


?/Stick
Left-Hand


3
CF 3
PPL 428E
Roadster
?/Stick
Right Hand

Owned by Derek Hurlock (AC Cars Ltd.), Use as demonstrating cars, 1969 illustration in the sales folder

4
CFX 4

Fastback
428/Stick
Left Hand

Pictures and Text from MotorLegends.com / Gilles Bonnafous translated from French by Bablefish:

AC 428 Frua by Gilles Bonnafous 14-02-2006

Among the cars presented on its stand by the Swiss merchant Lukas Hüni, a very exclusive car held particularly our attention: the half-compartment AC 428 fitted with body by Frua and which was the show bus presented at the living room of Geneva of 1966.

After the mythical Cobra, AC decides to build a luxurious version WP of the latter animated by the engine Ford V8 of 428 c.i. A convertible is initially presented in 1965, before the model is not declined in half-compartment. It will be noted that the same year, Monteverdi starts to build in Switzerland a sporting half-compartment also drawn by Frua, but motorized by V8 Chrysler.

The frame of the Cobra Mk III was lengthened of fifteen centimetres. It receives Ford V8 428 c.i. (seven liters) coupled with a gear box to four reports/ratios. Sent at Frua in Turin, it is equipped with the body, which presents some similarities with Maserati Mistral, also work of Frua. The car turns over then to England to be equipped there with the last completions.

Initiated in 1966, the production of AC 428 Frua will cease in 1974 and only 80 cars will be built. Several factors explain this weak diffusion: strikes which have occurred in Italy, some problems of deliveries of the Ford engines and, in fine, the crisis of oil at the beginning of the Seventies. Fifty-eight half-compartments will be built, of which about thirty would have survived.

The car present at Rétromobile is single in more than one way. Carrying the chassis number CFX4, it acts of a prototype, which, in addition to its exposure to the living room of Geneva, was used for the realization of the booklet of the model. The cockpit profited from a particular treatment, which benefits in the dashboard and saddlery. It should be noted that it comprises only two seats, the capacity of the gasoline tank having been increased. Moreover, we are in the presence of one of the rare specimens with control on the left and manual gear box.

With step more than 25 000 kilometers to the meter, this half-compartment AC 428 appears in a remarkable state of origin. It had only two owners in forty years of existence, two Swiss collectors.

With the passing of years, the car was modified and improved. Mechanics received characteristics specific to the engines of competition: two oil radiators, a system of reinforced cooling and a sophisticated suspension. The power is about 400 CH. Halibrand wheels were also assembled.

5
CF 5
285 NGK
Fastback



Both # 4-5 are Fastbacks according to Motor test of CF 7

6
CF 6
ULN 461F
Roadster




7
CF 7
[Former]
UPG 428F
Fastback
428/C6
Right Hand

Factory Press Loaner Car for a number of years.

Current Location: Chicago Suburbs, Owner: cmaddox3 family

8
CF[X?] 8






9
CF 9

Roadster

Right-Hand


10
CF[X?] 10







Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
11
CF 11
VPG 172F






12
CF 12
SOE 827H

Roadster

428/C6

Right Hand

This superb AC 428 Convertible was purchased new in 1969 by Cyril Wick, all-round racing motorist and engineering test driver, whose Cooper-Jaguar served as a mobile laboratory for his company's metal-coating technology, as recorded in The Light Car, July 1955 (copies available). Driving an Allard J2 and then the ex-Peter Whitehead Cooper-Jaguar, Cyril Wick featured regularly in the press reports of the early 1950s as a frequent winner of circuit races, hill climbs and sprints. Sadly, his racing career was prematurely terminated by a high-speed shunt in 1955, just after he had signed to contest the long distance classics as a member of the famous Ecurie Ecosse.

Following his retirement from the racetrack, Cyril owned a succession of AC sports cars before acquiring the 428 in 1969. His close association with Allard had endeared him to the virtues of the large V8 engine &endash; principally abundant low-down torque, solid and simple engineering, and low cost of spares and maintenance - so when AC announced the 428 it seemed the obvious choice.

'The car was well suited to my personal and business requirements,' Cyril explained. 'She was an instant success and much admired, serving as a useful PR tool for impressing important industrial clients. She became very much part of our family - never driven hard, maintained regardless of cost and always kept garaged. At our engineering works in Hatfield she was privileged to have her own garage built. Never has a woman been so loved!'

In 1994 the car was treated to a major 'ground upwards' restoration, supervised by Chris Maye (since deceased) at AC, costing in excess of £20,000 (bills available). Approximately 120,000 miles have been covered to date, around 70,000 of them since a new engine and transmission were installed following the seizure of an hydraulic tappet in the original motor, while use in recent years has been confined to high days and holidays only.

As a fine example of its type, Cyril's AC 428 was featured in Classic Cars magazine (November 2004 edition) in a comparison test alongside a Maserati Mistral and Ferrari 330GTS (copies available). Classic Cars was well impressed by the 428's apparent effortlessness: 'The AC is flicked forward on a raised eyebrow of torque: 462ft/lb peaking at a shoulder-shrugging 2,800rpm. Left to its own devices, the 428 will out-run the Ferrari up to 90mph and just beat it over a standing quarter-mile, all without appearing to exert itself.' Small wonder that Cyril Wick loves V8s.

The AC is for sale solely due to Cyril's advancing years and his increased duties as the senior member of his family, which have severely curtailed opportunities for enjoying the car. A most elegant, Italian-styled, Anglo-American Gran Turismo representing excellent value for money, 'SOE 827H' is offered with the aforementioned documentation, current road fund licence, MoT to 7th September 2007 and Swansea V5 registration document. To be collected from the vendor post-sale, a generous quantity of spares (full list available) comes with the car to include a new water pump, new fuel pump, original tool kit, original radio and loudspeaker, wheel hammer and six chromed wire wheels.

13
CF[X?] 13







14
CF 14
CYY 63G
Roadster





15
CFX 15


Roadster





16
CF 16
BCG 517G
Roadster




17
CF 17
WFY 310G
Roadster





18
CF18
OOG 50G
Now Combined with Aceca AE 558



Currently located in USA.

19
CF[X?] 19

Fastback
482/C6
Right-Hand



Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
20
CF 20
LTU 10G
Fastback

21
CF 21

Located in Pacific Northwest USA (Rheinubung)

22

23
CF 23

24
CF 24
MNB 681G
LCD 1
Roadster

Detailed in Old Cars Volume 1, Number 1.

25
CF 25
YPF 409G
Roadster

From Bonhams: le 15339 - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia, 30 Apr 2007 The Royal Air Force Museum London Hendon, London

1968 AC 428 Convertible
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Registration no. YPF 409G
Chassis no. CF25
Engine no. 7L10
Sold for £33,000 plus Premium and tax

Footnote:

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 re-configure its fire-breathing Cobra sportscar as a luxury Grand Routier. 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 428cu in (7-litre) 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. 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 51 convertibles and 29 coupés.

First registered in November 1968, this rare and exclusive AC 428 Convertible has the three-speed automatic transmission and stylish chromed wire wheels, and is finished in blue metallic with black leather interior. A most elegant, Italian-styled, Anglo-American Granturismo representing excellent value for money, the car is offered with three expired MoT certificates, old Swansea V5 and current V5C registration document.

26

27
CFX 27

28
CFX 28

Fastback
428/C6
Left-Hand

29
CFX 29

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
30

31
CF 31
WYF 91G

32
CFX 32
DRJ 497T
Roadster

Colani Redesign

33
CF 33
CYY 274G/
1 CPD
Roadster

34
CF 34
AMY 100H

35

36
CFX 36
4622 WF06
[France]
Roadster

37
CFX 37
RCD 909H
Roadster
428/Stick
Right-Hand

Current Location: California USA

38

39

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
40

41

42

43

44

45

46
CF 46
WNJ 179H
Probably a Fastback

Sold at Sothebys, Royal Airforce Museum, Hendon Auction for £27,000 10 July 1993

47

48

49

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
60

61

62
CF 62
DLX 55J
Fastback

From HowStuffWorks AC428: AC 428

It was in 1965, as Cobra sales peaked, that the AC company had its next bright idea -- the AC 428. The latest coil-spring Cobra chassis provided excellent roadholding and could be tuned for a softer, more "boulevard" ride than in the sports cars. Why not, thought Derek Hurlock, use it as the basis for a modern, luxuriously equipped GT?

Hurlock began scouting the various specialist coachbuilders and finally chose the Italian house of Frua. For its new GT, AC merely lengthened the Cobra wheelbase by six inches -- easy to do with such a simple parallel-tube layout -- and slotted in Ford's 428-cubic-inch big-block V-8.

As a concession to its softer, more refined character, the new model would be offered with Ford's C-6 3-speed automatic transmission as well as manual gearbox. Christened AC 428, the car was considerably bulkier than previous ACs, yet deliberately designed as a two-seater. Perhaps AC's unhappy experience with the 2 + 2 Greyhound coupes of 1959-1963 had something to do with this decision.

This 1971-registered AC 428 coupe shows off the Frua styling that was quite

similar to that of the Maserati Mistral and concurrent Monteverdis. It's said some

body panels and glass were the same on all three.

In other respects, the new AC 428's chassis was like that of the Mark III Cobra, with four-wheel disc brakes, all-independent suspension via coil-spring/damper units and wishbones, and rack-and-pinion steering, though center-lock wire wheels were chosen instead of cast alloys. Despite hefty curb weight, there was no provision for power steering.

The first AC 428, a prototype convertible, was revealed at the London Motor Show in 1965, but much more development work was needed before sales actually began over a year later. By then, the convertible had been joined by a glassy fastback coupe with the same lower-body styling.

In overall appearance, the AC 428 was much like the contemporary Maserati Mistral, also a Frua design. Frua at the time was also supplying bodies to Monteverdi, and since AC didn't actually impose any of its own styling ideas, the AC 428's similarity was, perhaps, no surprise. It is said that some body panels and glass were shared by all three.

The AC 428 was much larger and heavier than any previous AC. It was certainly a lot more expensive. The main reason was all the shipping involved. Building the AC 428 required importing Ford drivetrains from Detroit; building and then sending the rolling chassis to Italy, where Frua added the body and completed final assembly; then bringing the finished cars back to the UK for final testing and inspection. As they used to say at Avanti, the car traveled so much during production that it was out of warranty by the time it reached the customer.

The AC 428's low-stressed Ford big-block V-8 delivered 6-second 0-60 mph go.

For all that, sales were meager. Who, after all, was likely to buy an Italian-bodied American-powered car from a tiny British concern when they could get a genuine Italian thoroughbred with a high-revving twincam engine and a famous badge for the same money? By 1973, when the car was dropped, only 58 coupes and 28 convertibles had been produced. The oil crisis, existing and impending EEC and USA regulations, an unsuccessful battle against labor problems in Italy, and AC's inability to undercut the pricing of firms like Aston Martin all contributed to the AC 428's demise.

Few of these cars seem to have survived. Yet though rarer than original Cobras, their collector-market prices have long been quite reasonable, which suggests that interest has peaked. A pity, for the AC 428 is a lot faster than you'd think and has bags of style and exclusivity. One can only wonder how it might have fared with a "designer" label.

63

64

65
CF 65
TGC 791L

Offered at Collectors' Motor Cars & Motor Cycles Christies, Jack Barclay Showroom, London Auction but did not sell...

66

67

68

69

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
70

71

72

73

74

75
CF 75
SPD 268L

Sold @ Brooks, Lord's Cricket Ground, London Auction 22 July 1992 for £ 20,000

Sold @ Collectors' Motor Cars Christies, Jack Barclay Showroom, London Auction 19th February 1996 for £29,325 including Auctioneer's premium.

76

77

78

79

Dataplate:
Registry
Body
Drivetrain
Drive
Photo
Remarks/Notes
80

81

82

83

84

85