Vehicle Description
The automotive landscape was changing rapidly in the late 1960s.
Safety and Emissions had entered the lexicon of designers,
engineers, and marketing boffins, and buyers began to demand
increasing levels of refinement - regardless of performance
ability. This shift, combined with Ford's decision to take all
motorsports activities in-house (bringing Carroll Shelby with
them), spelled the end of the line for the legendary AC-built
Shelby Cobra. Down but not out, the bosses at Thames-Ditton devised
a new car they hoped would take over the Cobra's crown and carry
the firm into the coming decade. The design brief called for a
larger, more refined GT-oriented car based on the proven
coil-spring Cobra chassis but lengthened to accommodate a new body
and more luxurious cockpit. AC again called upon Ford to supply the
drivetrain, this time the 428 cubic-inch FE Interceptor engine.
While less powerful than the 427 side-oiler, the 428 made power at
lower revs and was more suited to grand touring than the
high-strung side-oiler. The most significant change came when
clothing the new chassis. AC turned to Pietro Frua in Italy to pen
a new body that was a complete about-face from the curvaceous,
wide-hipped Cobra. Svelte and sophisticated, the crisp fastback
Coupe and Convertible bore more than a passing resemblance to other
Frua creations - the Maserati Mistral and Monteverdi 375.
Production of the 428 was a truly international affair, with
chassis built in the UK, shipped to Italy for their coachwork, and
then sentbackto the AC factory in Thames-Ditton for final assembly
and installation of the American V8. It was a costly endeavor, and
the gut punch of a fuel crisis put the project in jeopardy before
it truly got going. Production ended in 1973 after just 51 Coupes
and 29 Convertibles were completed, and surviving examples are
highly sought-after. This example, chassis CF 14, is an original
right-drive car that held pride of place in Jim Feldman's
impressive collection for 36 years. Impressively presented in red
over black upholstery, it is a beautiful example of this
rarely-seen grand tourer. According to documents on file, CF 14's
first owner was none other than Rob Walker, heir to the Johnnie
Walker whisky fortune and highly successful privateer racing team
owner. Walker's famous white-banded dark blue racing cars carried
the likes of Sterling Moss, Tony Brooks, Jack Brabham, Maurice
Trintignant, and many others to numerous victories in Formula 1 and
Sports Car racing. Early in 1971, Walker sold CF 14 to Adrian
McAlpine of the British McAlpine industrial family. During his
ownership, air conditioning and an updated cooling system were
fitted, making this one of just four 428s known to have these
modifications. It is also noted that this car has the desirable
alloy doors and deck lids, as later cars were in steel. In June
1971, the engine developed a terminal fault, and CF 14 was returned
to the AC Works Service Department for replacement. A receipt from
AC's service department shows the engine was replaced at 25,994
miles. The 428 remained in the care of Adrian McAlpine for many
years and was maintained in top condition by his private mechanic.
In the 1970s, McAlpine had the AC stripped to bare metal and
resprayed in a light mushroom color, and the wheels finished in
silver enamel. In 1985, CF 14 was sold via Epping Motor Company to
Jim Feldman, who restored the car to a very high standard for
display in premier concours events, including the 1990 Pebble Beach
Concours d'Elegance, where it earned 2nd in Class. The AC remained
in the care of Mr. Feldman until 2021, when it passed to another
collector, staying superbly maintained along the way. It is in
excellent condition with beautifully finished coachwork, superb
paint, and finely restored bright trim. It rides on sparkling
chrome knock-off wire wheels fitted with period-correct Avon tires,
ensuring an authentic aesthetic and ride/handling characteristics.
The businesslike cabin was recently restored to a high standard,
and is highly detailed, featuring sumptuous black leather with
charcoal carpets. The cluster of toggle switches, round Smiths
dials, and U-shaped gear selector call to mind a jet airliner
cockpit, underlining thegran turismocharacter of the AC 428 Frua.
The Ford 428 engine retains the A/C system installed in the 1970s
and is authentically presented while showing signs of regular use.
With well-documented provenance, including ownership by one of the
most legendary characters in British Motorsport, and a
superbly-maintained restoration, CF 14 remains a deeply appealing
example of this rare and competent grand tourer - a grown-up Cobra
for discerning collectors. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7514-1968-ac-428-frua-convertible/
