1969 AC 428 COUPE

Country of Manufacture: England/Italy
Year:              1969
Vin #:             CFX28
Model Type:  2 Door Coupe
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: Ford G6, 3 speed automatic with torque converter
Suspension:
Front- Independent, coil springs, wishbones, telescopic dampers
Rear- Independent, coil springs, wishbones, telescopic dampers
Brakes:           Front- 11.75 inch Girling discs
                        Rear- 10.5 inch 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 comprising 51 coupes and 30 convertibles.

Return to Top