1965→1973 AC 428

Unlike most cars by AC, The AC Frua was designed by Pietro Frua, instead of Caroll Shelby, of which it got it’s name from. This car is easily mixed up with the Maserati Mistral, but these two cars only share the front quarter view, the headlights and the slightly similar grille.

This car was extremely limited edition with only eighty one been made. It had a huge, seven litre big block V8 from the Ford Mustang of the time. Like most large, American V8s, the AC Frua tended to have the problem of heat leaking into the cabin.

From 1970 onwards to 1973 when production stopped, the AC Frua had 1 prototype made with electrically powered pop up headlights. It was planned for production but It was thought to be to expensive to make.

In Detail

type	Series Production Car
production years	1965 – 1973
released at	Not released
built at	AC plant, England
body stylist	Pietro Frua
interior designer	Pietro Frua
coachbuilder	None
engineers	Pietro Frua
production	81
price $	$ 8,982
price â‚¬/td>	â‚¬6,185
price Â£/td>	Â£5,573
price Â¥/td>	Â¥826,887
engine	V8
position	Front
aspiration	None
ignition	Unknown
block material	Unknown
valvetrain	DOHC
fuel feed	Carburettors
displacement	6965 cc / 425.03 in³
bore	104.9 mm / 4.0999999 in
stroke	101.2 mm / 4 in
compression	5:1
engine designer	Pietro Frua
power	257.29999 kw / 345 bhp @ 4600 rpm
specific output	49.53 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	241.26 bhp per tonne
torque	642.70001 nm / 474 ft lbs @ 3200 rpm
body / frame	Steel tube frame
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Wire wheel knock off
front tires	Unknown
rear tires	Unknown
front brakes	Discs
rear brakes	Discs
steering	Rack and Pinion
f suspension	Fully adjustable independent suspension with double triangular wishbones, coil spring hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.
r suspension	Adjustable independent suspension with double triangular wishbones, coil spring hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.
curb weight	1430 kg / 3153.1499 lbs
transmission	4 speed manual or 3 speed automatic
tran clutch	unknown
final drive	3.0799999:1
top speed	~245 kph / 152.14999 mph
0 – 60 mph	~6.1999998 seconds
fuel econ epa	14.7 L/100 km or 16.4 mpg-us
fuel capacity	82 litres or 21.65 gal.

1968 AC Frua Coupe CF19 – did not sell for $160,000 Built on a chassis derived from 427 Cobra. Only 81 AC528 re built. 1 of 49 Coupes produced. 345 HP engine. Automatic transmission. Blue with Black interior. Restored.

1969 AC 428 Frua Drophead Coupé CF31 – sold for €162,400

This particular AC 428 Frua Drophead is one of the only 29 convertibles to leave the Thames Ditton factory. The factory ledger supplied by the AC Owners Club suggests this particular convertible variant was finished on 31 January, 1969 in the same colour as it sports today, Live Oak over black. The car is thought to have been dispatched to Mike Spence Ltd. on consignment, subsequently sold to HR Owens Ltd. on 20 February, 1969 and finally registered on the 21st of February.

1972 AC 428 Frua Coupé –

Chassis no. CF65 is extraordinarily well documented, and its three-volume history file begins with invoices dating back to December 1974 and also includes MOTs from August 1975 to the present day. Registration changes are documented as well, along with a copy of the AC Cars build log. Furthermore, the car was featured in a five-page article for Classic & Sports Car’s May 1995 issue, as well as the AC Owners Club November 1999 newsletter. It has won numerous awards, including AC Owners Club concours wins in 1998 and 1999, for which a glass trophy is included.