Lot 736: 1968 AC 428 Convertible

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.