Performance
The AC Frua competed with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati models. Built over a stretched AC Cobra 427 chassis, the car had immense performance; the big-block Ford FE engine had larger capacity, more torque and more power than similar Italian cars, but in a car of similar weight.
John Mclellan said in his book "Classic ACs, Auto Carrier to Cobra" that Derek Hurlock once said to journalist Mike Tailor: "I like the 428 because it fits my image of a true GT Car". He is quoted in Autocar "Like anything exclusive, especially from craftsmen, it costs a lot of money. For this you get one of the fastest cars on the road, guaranteed to make an impression anywhere, and backed by a small company that cares. This one AC that joined that select company of very fast, very luxurious touring automobiles which moved effortlessly from current model to collector's piece". The magazine published a road test report in 1968 of a 428 coupé, and recorded a maximum speed of 141 mph (227 km/h) along with a 0 - 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.2 seconds. The acceleration time was fractionally better than the magazine's testers had achieved with an Aston Martin DB6, but the Aston Martin was comfortably ahead on top speed. The AC's overall fuel consumption for the test came in at 15.6 mpg (18.1 l/100 km), roughly 15% better than the heavy Aston Martin. The AC 428 coupé sported a recommended UK retail price of £5,573 (including automatic transmission), to the manual transmission Aston Martin DB6's £4,460 - itself roughly twice that of a 4.2 litre Jaguar E-Type roadster at £2,225.
Towards the end of the production run a couple of prototypes for an extended range were produced. There was a four door version of the coupe and a more streamlined version of the convertible that included electrically operated "pop-up" headlamps. Neither were developed due to the precarious state of the company finances.
The AC Frua may be confused with the very similar looking Pietro Frua designed Maserati Mistral. However, only the front quarter windows and door handles are shared.
| AC Frua Technical Data | |
|---|---|
| Chassis | "AC Cobra 427 Mark III" four inch (100 mm) tube frame extended by 6 inches (150 mm). Front engine, rear drive. |
| Engine | Iron "big block" Ford FE 428, some models fitted with higher performance crossover bolted Ford 427 engine (side oiler). Hydraulic lifter, Autolite or Holley four barrel carburetor. (Specifications can vary substantially between each car). |
| Bore & stroke | 104.9 X 101.2 mm, 10, 5:1 compression. |
| Capacity | 428: 7,014 cc (428.0 cu in), 427: 6,965 cc (425.0 cu in). |
| Power | 428: 345 hp (257 kW) @ 4,600 rpm, 427: 385 hp (287 kW) @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 428: 642 N·m (474 ft·lbf) @ 2,800 rpm, 427: 624 N·m (460 ft·lbf) @ 3200 rpm |
| Transmission | Fully synchronized 4-speed Ford Toploader transmission (close-ratio) or 3 speed automatic Ford C6 transmission. |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion. |
| Front suspension | Fully adjustable independent suspension with double triangular wishbones, coil spring hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. |
| Rear suspension | Adjustable independent suspension with double triangular wishbones, coil spring hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. |
| Differential | Salisbury, limited slip. Ratio: Automatic 2.88, Manual 3.08. |
| Brakes | Four discs power assisted "Girling" 3 pistons, dual remote servo assistance. |
| Body | Coach-built steel body over extruded rectangular and square tubing. |
| Measurements | 4,470 mm (176.0 in) X 1,727 mm (68.0 in) X 1,245 mm (49.0 in); Wheelbase 2,413 mm (95.0 in). |
| Unloaded weight | 1,430 kg (3,153 lb) |
| Maximum speed | Manual Transmission: More than 245 km/h (152.2 mph), 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph): 5.4 s (Autosport Magazine); Automatic Transmission: 220 km/h (136.7 mph), 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) 5.7 s. |
| Fuel consumption | 17.2 L/100 km (16.4 mpg; 13.7 mpg) |
| Production life | 1965 to 1973 |
| Number of cars built | 49 coupes, 29 convertibles and 3 special bodied cars. |
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