We like learning stuff, so when we found a listing for a 1968 AC Frua on eBay, we had to investigate simply because we had never heard about these cars before and since they had a 428ci BBF in the nose, they’re BangShifty! As it turns out, they are also rare and pretty damned valuable.
The AC Frua was made from 1965 to 1973 and in that entire time, only 81 examples were produced. The cars sit on the same chassis as the 427 Shelby Cobras, with the only major difference being a six inch stretch of said chassis. The Frua name comes from the name of the company that AC shipped the bare chassis to in order for the body to be installed in Italy. Frua then shipped the fitted body and chassis back to England. This was disasterous business planning and added tons to the cost of production of the car. Hence, the 81 units sold.
In our opition the thing is kind of ungainly looking as was virtually every car to come out of England in the late 1960s and early 1970s (aside from the Jag XKE).
The redeeming part of the whole package is the 428 engine and the C6 transmission (a Top Loader was also available). While that does not make all the ugly go away, the car only weighs 3100lbs, so you can easily speed away from anyone mocking you and your weirdo English car. The one for sale in this ad is right hand drive, completing the triumverate of strangeness. We pray that the ‘lectronics did not come from Lucas.
Got $130,000 to spend on something you’ll never run into a duplicate of? This is your car!
Nose reminds me of an MG, ass end reminds me of a Datsun 240Z, and the whole thing reeks of Jensen Interceptor….
I like it.
I’d drive the hell out of that thing!
much prettier than that ‘nova’ you guys were pimping recently.
I like it!!! It’s not ugly to me.
“Kind of ” is kind of generous. This sister goes to the prom alone.
Hah! Was it Junior Johnson told an interviewer when asked his chances in an upcoming race; “She’s not going to be the prettiest girl at the dance, but she’s got her dress on and says she’ll go.”
“reeks of Jensen Interceptor”… That can only be a good thing. Wish my Interceptor weighed 3100lbs…and was worth 130K…
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