CLASSIC OF THE WEEK: AC 427/428 (1966-73)

THE AC 427 needs a new word of its own - "brutiful", perhaps, for while its brute strength derives from its Cobra forebear, the 427 is by comparison more manicured and sophisticated, a refined bruiser. You could, if you like, call it a mongrel, or more flatteringly, a thoroughbred blend of British, American and Italian engineering.

From Britain came the original AC Ace roadster, while in the US, under the auspices of tuner Carroll Shelby, the Ace evolved into the primal Ford V8-engined Cobra. In Italy, the Frua styling house came up with an elegant convertible or fastback body to clothe the Cobra's rugged and surefooted chassis.

The result, the AC 427, was first seen at the London motor show in October 1965, but the first production cars were not on sale until 1967; as late as March 1969, only 50 had been built. In 1967, the original 427-cubic-inch Ford V8 was replaced with an engine of one extra cubic inch capacity - the 428 - but a much tamer performance.

Whether fastback or convertible, 427 or 428, the AC fell between two stools. It cost less than Ferraris and Maseratis, but more than British models like the Aston Martin DB6 and Jensen Interceptor. Small-scale production continued into the 1970s but it was finally done for by the fuel crisis of October 1973; the last 428, the 80th, was sold in 1974.

For: A macho GT with the breeding to fit in at Royal Ascot or Henley.

Against: As environmentally friendly as a plutonium-powered sewage barge dumping waste on a seal colony. Can your pocket or conscience live with 12-15mpg?

What to pay: Fastbacks, 10,000-20,000-plus; convertibles, 15,000- 30,000.

Production: 80; 51 convertibles, 29 fastbacks.

Engine: Ford V8, 6997cc (427cu/in) or 7016cc (428cu/in).

Power output: 425bhp at 6,000rpm (427); 345bhp at 4,600rpm (428).

Transmission: Ford four-speed manual/three-speed automatic.

Brakes: Servo-assisted Girling discs front and rear.

Max speed: 139.3mph (auto).

0-60mph: 5.9 seconds (auto).

0-100mph: 14.5 seconds (auto).

Fuel consumption: 12-15mpg.

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