1969 AC 428 CONVERTIBLE

Country of Manufacture: England/Italy     Vin #: CFX37
Model Type: 2 Door Convertible
Body Designer: Frua
Engine: Ford 428 V8 (7017cc). The same engine used in many street versions of the Shelby Cobra 427
Horsepower: 345 bhp at 4600 rpm
Torque: 462 lb at 2800 rpm
Transmission: 4 Speed Gearbox
Suspension:
Front- Independent, coil springs, wishbones, telescopic dampers
Rear- Independent, coil springs, wishbones, telescopic dampers
Brakes:
Front- Girling discs
Rear- Girling discs
Top Speed: 145 mph

History: With the winding down of the Shelby Cobra program resulting from a combination of languishing sales and diminishing Ford support for Shelby following its decision to take over the racing program and develop the GT40, AC was left without a viable product line. With the well-developed Cobra chassis as a basis, AC decided to produce a luxury GT. The Cobra chassis was lengthened 6 inches and Frua of Italy was assigned the task to design and build a convertible first (1965), followed by a coupe a year later in 1966.

Production: Production was plagued by many factors. The logistics of producing the chassis in England, shipping to Italy where bodies were fitted and then shipped back to England again for final assembly, was both time consuming and expensive. Production ceased in 1973 coinciding with the 1973 fuel crisis. A total of 81 cars were built of which 30 were convertibles. Only 8 convertibles were built with a manual 4-speed gearbox and only one of these was left hand drive. Subsequently, another 4-speed car has been converted to left-hand drive configuration.

This car took first place in its class when shown at Pebble Beach in 1995.

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