• One of only circa 51 AC 428 Coupés made
• Very rare manual gearbox
• Present ownership since 2011
• Stored since acquisition

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. Although the 428ci (7.0-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 81 being made between 1966 and 1973, the split being circa 51 coupés and only 30 convertibles (published figures vary). It is estimated that around 40 coupés remain.

First registered to a Mr Barry Jacobs of Surrey in June 1969, this example is one of an estimated six built with the manual gearbox. The current vendor purchased the car at a UK auction in November 2011. At that time the auction catalogue stated that the car came with 'bills, receipts, and MoT test certificates dating back to the 1980s'... including 'service invoices for an engine rebuild in 1988'. It was also stated that the then owner had 'overhauled and rebuilt the braking system and maintained the car in good mechanical order'. Unfortunately, the aforementioned service records appear to have been lost.

The car has been kept on static display since acquisition and will require re-commissioning before returning to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of photocopies of the 2011 auction catalogue description and bill of sale, and the car's last UK V5C Registration Certificate (for 'YPF 428G', issued in 2009).

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. 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. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.