AC 428 Coupe Overview
The AC 428 Coupe is a rare and luxurious grand tourer produced by AC Cars from 1965 to 1973. This distinguished vehicle combined British craftsmanship with American power, featuring bodywork designed by the Italian design house Frua and a potent Ford V8 engine. The AC 428, also available as a convertible (Frua Spider), was built on the extended chassis of the AC Cobra, offering a blend of high performance with the elegance and comfort of a GT car.
Design and Engineering
The AC 428’s body was designed by Pietro Frua, renowned for his work with Maserati and other high-end automobile manufacturers. The car showcased classic GT proportions with a long hood, a short rear deck, and a luxurious, spacious interior. The steel bodies were handcrafted in Italy by Frua before being shipped to AC’s Thames Ditton workshop in England, where the cars were assembled and fitted with their mechanical components.
The chassis was a ladder-type design derived from the AC Cobra but extended to accommodate the grand tourer body. This ensured that the 428 retained much of the Cobra’s sporting DNA, with modifications made to provide a more comfortable and refined ride suited to long-distance touring.
Performance and Powertrain
Under the hood, the AC 428 Coupe was equipped with a 7.0-liter (428 cubic inch) Ford FE V8 engine, producing approximately 345 horsepower. This engine was paired with either a 3-speed automatic transmission or a 4-speed manual, providing significant flexibility in terms of driving dynamics. The combination of lightweight construction, a powerful engine, and a well-engineered chassis allowed the 428 Coupe to deliver impressive performance, with 0-60 mph times in the 6-second range and a top speed of over 140 mph.
Production and Legacy
Production of the AC 428 Coupe was limited, with only around 80 coupes produced during its eight-year run, making it one of the rarer and more sought-after classic GT cars today. The car’s rarity, along with its performance and the unique collaboration between British engineering, American power, and Italian design, has contributed to its status as a highly collectible classic.
The AC 428 Coupe remains a testament to the era of grand tourers that combined luxurious comfort with high performance. Its limited production numbers and unique heritage continue to endear it to collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
