Lot 020: 1971 AC 428

Despite several successful seasons and victory in the 1965 FIA World Manufacturers GT Championship, the Shelby Cobra programme was effectively curtailed that year by Ford's decision to concentrate on its in-house GT40 project. Faced with dwindling sales and denied the Dearborn giant's backing, AC's Derek Hurlock began planning a new model line. Conscious that the Cobra MKIII - although an adrenalin pump par excellence - was somewhat lacking in usability, he conceived its successor as a far more sophisticated (and hence saleable) Gran Turismo. Named after the cubic inch displacement of its 7014cc hydraulic-lifter Ford V8 engine (also confusingly fitted to late street Cobras), the 428 was built on a six-inch stretched version of its illustrious forebear's chassis. Benefiting from all-round independent coil-and-wishbone suspension, rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes and a Salisbury limited slip differential, this race honed set-up was deemed necessary to harness the powerplant's quoted 345bhp and 462lbft outputs. Charged with clothing the resultant high-speed projectile, Turin coachbuilder Frua previewed a wonderfully elegant convertible and strikingly rakish fastback at the 1965 Earl's Court Motor Show and 1966 Geneva Salon respectively. Finally entering hand-built production in 1968, the 428 was fearsomely expensive. Reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds and over 145mph even when fitted with standard three-speed automatic transmission, its list price was over �1,000 more than an Aston Martin DB6 (or roughly equivalent to two Jaguar E-types plus two Minis). Only in production for five years, just fifty-one fastbacks and thirty convertibles are thought to have been made. Finished in Flash Red with black leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its engine, automatic transmission, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres (though, he rates the interior trim as "average"). Said to have had just "two previous owners" and to have only covered 57,000 miles from new, 'JYY 779J' was reportedly treated to "rebuilt sills in late 2007" and a respray earlier this year. While, other recent work is understood to have seen it benefit from a "new radiator, replacement cylinder head gaskets, new master cylinders and overhauled calipers". Riding on wire wheels, this ultra-rare and stylish GT is offered for sale with MOT certificate and historic class (free) road tax both valid until December 2008. PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is not accompanied by a valid tax disc