LOT 56 *

1969 AC 428 Coupé Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua Registration no. WNV 964H (not registered with DVLA) Chassis no. CF41

Sold for £92,000 inc. premium

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Lot 56^*

1969 AC 428 Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua Registration no. WNV 964H (not registered with DVLA) Chassis no. CF41

Goodwood Members' Meeting|10 April 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1969 AC 428 Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua
Registration no. WNV 964H (not registered with DVLA)
Chassis no. CF41

• Offered without reserve
• One of only 51 AC 428 Coupés made
• Formerly part of the Haynes Motor Museum collection
• Three private owners from new
• Present ownership since 2010

Footnotes

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 reconfigure its fire-breathing Cobra sports car as a luxury Grande Routière. 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. 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 70 being made between 1966 and 1973, the split being 51 coupés and only 29 convertibles.

This rare coupé was first registered to C Walton Ltd of Northamptonshire on 15th August 1969 and later spent some time on display (unused) in the Haynes Motor Museum. The second private owner, Brian Wrathmell of London, purchased the AC from the curator of the Haynes Motor Museum in January 2001.

The vendor purchased the AC at a UK auction in May 2010 and exported the car. Since then the car has remained on static display and will require recommissioning. Accompanying documentation today consists of copies of the 2010 auction description, bill of sale, and V5 registration document (issued in 2001 and now expired).

Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £250 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.

Saleroom notices

EU buyer import removed

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