Both # 4-5 are
Fastbacks according to Motor test of CF 7 Factory Press Loaner
Car for a number of years. Current Location:
Chicago Suburbs, Owner: cmaddox3 family Roadster Right Hand
This superb AC 428
Convertible was purchased new in 1969 by Cyril Wick,
all-round racing motorist and engineering test driver, whose
Cooper-Jaguar served as a mobile laboratory for his
company's metal-coating technology, as recorded in The Light
Car, July 1955 (copies available). Driving an Allard J2 and
then the ex-Peter Whitehead Cooper-Jaguar, Cyril Wick
featured regularly in the press reports of the early 1950s
as a frequent winner of circuit races, hill climbs and
sprints. Sadly, his racing career was prematurely terminated
by a high-speed shunt in 1955, just after he had signed to
contest the long distance classics as a member of the famous
Ecurie Ecosse. Following his
retirement from the racetrack, Cyril owned a succession of
AC sports cars before acquiring the 428 in 1969. His close
association with Allard had endeared him to the virtues of
the large V8 engine &endash; principally abundant
low-down torque, solid and simple engineering, and low cost
of spares and maintenance - so when AC announced the 428 it
seemed the obvious choice. 'The car was well
suited to my personal and business requirements,' Cyril
explained. 'She was an instant success and much admired,
serving as a useful PR tool for impressing important
industrial clients. She became very much part of our family
- never driven hard, maintained regardless of cost and
always kept garaged. At our engineering works in Hatfield
she was privileged to have her own garage built. Never has a
woman been so loved!' In 1994 the car was
treated to a major 'ground upwards' restoration, supervised
by Chris Maye (since deceased) at AC, costing in excess of
£20,000 (bills available). Approximately 120,000 miles
have been covered to date, around 70,000 of them since a new
engine and transmission were installed following the seizure
of an hydraulic tappet in the original motor, while use in
recent years has been confined to high days and holidays
only. As a fine example of
its type, Cyril's AC 428 was featured in Classic Cars
magazine (November 2004 edition) in a comparison test
alongside a Maserati Mistral and Ferrari 330GTS (copies
available). Classic Cars was well impressed by the 428's
apparent effortlessness: 'The AC is flicked forward on a
raised eyebrow of torque: 462ft/lb peaking at a
shoulder-shrugging 2,800rpm. Left to its own devices, the
428 will out-run the Ferrari up to 90mph and just beat it
over a standing quarter-mile, all without appearing to exert
itself.' Small wonder that Cyril Wick loves V8s. The AC is for sale
solely due to Cyril's advancing years and his increased
duties as the senior member of his family, which have
severely curtailed opportunities for enjoying the car. A
most elegant, Italian-styled, Anglo-American Gran Turismo
representing excellent value for money, 'SOE 827H' is
offered with the aforementioned documentation, current road
fund licence, MoT to 7th September 2007 and Swansea V5
registration document. To be collected from the vendor
post-sale, a generous quantity of spares (full list
available) comes with the car to include a new water pump,
new fuel pump, original tool kit, original radio and
loudspeaker, wheel hammer and six chromed wire wheels.