• One of an estimated 51 coupés made • Automatic transmission • Known ownership history • Dry stored since acquisition in 2012 • Requires recommissioning 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, styled by Pietro Frua.

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).

Decades later the 428 still had the means to impress.

Sampling a convertible in a comparison test alongside a Maserati Mistral and Ferrari 330GTS for its November 2004 edition, Classic Cars magazine was struck by the 428's effortlessness: "The AC is flicked forward on a raised eyebrow of torque: 462ft/lb peaking at a sho...