Messages

Hi everyone...
   
   Sorry for my extended absence.  Been very busy with other activities.
   
   I received this AC 428 Publicity Still from an eBay purchase a couple of weeks back, and just got around to scanning it in, thought I would post it for everyone.
   
   
   
   
   I don't have any further information about this still or it's history.  As usual, I've posted higher resolution versions of these scans in an easy to find location:
   
   http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/motorin/frua/Publicity_Still/
   
   I hope everyone is doing well!
   
   Cheers!
   
   --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by AC Ace Bristol
   

   Chuck
   
   Many thanks for posting the 1967 /1968  London Motor Show data on my behalf. much appreciated.
   
   Must learn to use the Bucket. So to speak. thanks once again.
   
   Keith
   

   
   My pleasure Keith.  I took the liberty of straightening them and tweaking the brightness and congrast settings a little bit.  Also corrected a little bit of the "Sepia-ing" of the paper in the topmost one.
   
   Enjoy!
   
   --  Chuck

[Received the following via email tonight:]

Received the following via email tonight:
    On Mar 13, 2008, at 8:14 PM, Keith Lessiter wrote:
   
    Hi Chuck.
   
   Scanning through a few old boxes last night, Came across these little gems
   and thought you and the ACOC Forum might appreciate the following two
   previews of AC428s from / at the 1967 & 1968 "Earls Court" London Motor
   Shows.
   
   Very Expensive cars at the time,  But now  £ or $ they are  great value , An
   AC making a Statement with real attitude!
   
   Having trouble posting on the Forum,  Maybe you could do the honours,
   Sorry to be so cheeky.
   
   Enjoy!!
   
   Keith
   BEX333 (AC Ace Bristol)
   
   The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:
   
   
   AC428  Daily Mail Motor Preview 1967
   
   
   AC 428  Daily Express Motor Show Preview 1968
   
   --------------------------------------
   
   My sincere thanks to Keith for sending me these scans and granting me permission to post them on his behalf!
   
   --  Chuck

[Updated 10/3/08:]

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Updated 10/3/08:
   
   8. CFX 29. Active USA
   Posted 26/2/08
   http://www.racecar.co.uk/acoc/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=845
   
   "It certainly appears that my car has escaped alteration by corrosion, accidents or intentional modification. It differs in some respects to yours, Emmanuel, as we discovered in side-by-side comparison. Your car has improved routing of the fresh air ducts, which I would like to adopt.
   
   CFX29 seems to have been shipped to Canada (?) originally, and then entered the U.S.A. as a 1970 Ford. It benefited from life in a dry climate, and shows virtually no rust. So it is a good example of the state of build at the time it left the factory in August 1969 (I believe that's the date Andy Shepherd found in his archive).
   
   If photos of my car would be of help to others, I'd be glad to share them."

   
   OK, if CFX29 was shipped to Canada originally, then the two plate numbers shipped to Canada were CFX 27 and CFX 29.  The two plate numbers shipped to the USA [back in the day] would have been CFX 28 and CFX 30.
   
   I saw one of the Canadian Frua's in the spring of 1977 in Oakville Toronto.  The owner had listed it for sale and we were going to try to import it.  Unfortunately, when we inquired with the DOT/EPA they stated that the car would have to pass safety/emissions standards of the year of manufacture, in this instance 1969.  In 1967 there were no EPA statutes and the more stringent DOT standards came in 1968.  Both the EPA/DOT assured us in no uncertain terms that the car would not pass the battery of tests they would throw at it [they were/are such buttholes!] and we were scared off from even attempting to import essentially an identical car to CF7 [save for left-hand drive] simply because the nigh identical parts were assembled anywhere from 13 to 25 months after CF7.  If we had simply driven up to Canada, bought the car and driven it across the border we probably would have been fine, but since we had contacted the DOT/EPA to inquire we figured we had tipped them off.
   
   Incidentally, the owner in Oakville also owned an Accea that was in fairly rough [but restorable] shape too.
   
   As best I can remember [it's been 30+ years] the Oakville Coupe was either pale green or grayish in color, it was in worse cosmetic shape than CF7, but as it had a Holley it would have been more than a match for CF7 [with it's autolite carb] in performance.
   
   I would suspect the Frua Coupe I saw was CFX27 and not CFX 29 because of the timing quoted above.  I would love to see pictures of it, perhaps it was the car we travelled to see and  attempt to purchase/import.  I know my dad would have loved to have imported that one and I'd love to have a left hand drive example.
   
   Please Post Photos!  If I can be of any assistance, please email me: mailto:cmaddox3@sbcglobal.net ...
   
   I also have to say I'm really liking these Burnt Orange, Red and Burgundy colored coupes!  If I had one to paint in any choice of colors it'd probably be a toss up between Red with a black interior or Burgundy with a Khaki/Camel Brown interior.  Absolutely drop dead gorgeous!
   
   --  Chuck
   
   P.S. THANK YOU CASS for your continuing efforts in this regard!

quote:Originally posted by dkp_cobra
   
Maybe someone is interested in this converted AC428 (what a shame)
   
   http://www.classicdriver.de/de/find/4100_results.asp?bsubmit=true&lmodelflag=%2A&lmanufacturer=10001&whatbutton.x=0&page=0&lCarID=1761745
   

   
   It's in France.  Why doesn't it surprise me that someone in France would do this or have this.  Just another reason for distain.
   
   --  Chuck
   
   P.S. If that sentiment isn't politically correct, so be it!

Hey Paul,
   
   Cool stuff!  Thanks for sharing!
   
   I agree, I'd love to see some material about the AC 428 in there too.  I mean the Avenger's clips I've posted on YouTube are nice, but...
   
   =)
   
   Chuck

[Another week on eBay, another New Arrival: AUTOCAR 16 October 1969 Advertizement:]

Another week on eBay, another New Arrival:
   AUTOCAR 16 October 1969 Advertizement:
   
   
   
   Larger scans in a variety of sizes are located here...:
   http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/motorin/frua/19691016_autocar_ad/
   
   An interesting data point for Classicus is the License plate on this Fastback [ UPG 428H ] which is a mere two letters from the original License plate on my CF 7 [ UPG 428F ] which was the factory press car.  Perhaps this is a picture of CF 8 or CF 10 [just guessing...]?
   
   Enjoy!
   
   --  Chuck
   
   P.S. Sorry but this once again exhausts the articles/advertisements I have on hand.  I continue to look for more.  eMail your favorite eBay sellers and crack the whip!!!  --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Unfortunately I've hardly seen any cars with your earlier dashboard layout, however having seen the close-up pics it does look a bit different. I know the factory had a continuous programme of improvements and would happily add extras if required for any brand new car or existing owner, yet although it's only a guess I wouldn't have thought that much would have been altered in the basic package offered between CF 7 and CF 9.
   
   
   
   In the pic above of CF 7 it's hard to tell if there's a clock or not in the central console, however it is angled back whereas yours looks to be upright - obviously for the airco.
   
   If you haven't already have a look at some of the interior pics on the Register for comparisons as well.
   
   Best of all ask Chuck Maddox who owns CF 7 for his opinion as by the sound of it his car is still very original. In fact in one of his early posts I remember him saying the seats still have the same crease patterns today as in some photos taken in the late 60's ! He might take a few interior photos for you ?
   

   
   Hi guys!
   
   Even though the weather is still lousy, and the lighting conditions are even worse, I managed to get a quick snapshot of CF7's interior today...  I apologize for the terrible appearance of the interior.  I really need to hit it with a bottle of ArmorAll:
   
   
   For the most part this was the way the interior was configured when we picked it up about this time of year in 1976...  The only addition is the AM/FM/CB/Cassette desk in the center with the especially cheesy plastic mock-wood bezel.  At least it's reasonably close to the steering wheel wood trim color.
   
   As you can see the configuration of the dash is different than it was during CF7's testing days, with the removal of the J shaped panel where the Ash Tray say, replaced with a more upright center dash area with the ashtray affixed to the transmission hump.  You can also see the "direct from a 1966/7 Ford parts bin "T" handle which contrasts sharply from the later Automatic model's inverted "U" shaped shifter.
   
   I hope this is of some assistance to Damien and CF9 and I remain available for additional queries should that be beneficial.  I promise to ArmorAll the interior when the weather turns for the better in Spring.
   
   Cheers!
   
   --  Chuck

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Avengers_episodes#Series_6_.281968-1969.29]

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Great stuff Chuck very period and memorable ! I used to watch one or two of the earlier Avengers' programmes with Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg as well though many of the plots were ridiculously hard to follow.[/i]

Well, this episode looked particularly cheesy.  A lot of purple and green painted interiors, sort of the choice of colors one would expect the Comic book character Batman's Arch foe "The Joker" to pick out.  Add to that a bunch of Zombie like young people and a fellow running about in an over inflated suit looking like a silverized cross between Humpty Dumpty and Bip the Michelin Man and you have a show that I scrubbed through as quickly as I could.  I mean I like Patrick McNee, but ...  But in all fairness, it probably on average was no more cheesy than the average Star Trek episode from the 1960's.
   

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Any idea of the show's date ?

   According to Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Avengers_episodes#Series_6_.281968-1969.29], it was first aired in the UK on 15 January 1969 and was the 16th Episode of the 6th season.
   

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Couple of things I noticed were no wing mirrors, nice touch the old Land Rover's registration being 695 EAC, great throttle control not leaving the two extra passengers in the mud, steering wheel looked authentic though not sure about Steed's random left right, left right control of it, and judging from Tara King's closeness to Steed she would probably have been sitting on the glove box. As for those ultra familiar greasy back English country lanes and the muddy Rallycross gloop that's always there to get bogged down in if you dare drop a wheel, surprised they didn't do a couple of 360's finishing up in the deepest waterlogged ditch going ! (Anyone ever practised handbrake turns in a 428 ?)
   
   I'll also add a link to CF 1 on the next Update to the Register.
   
   Paul/Cass [:)]

   Things I noted... They had to have CF 1 up on crates for the interior shooting sequences...  I can't believe there is anywhere near that much slop in the AC's steering box.  Steed pressed the center of the steering wheel to sound the horn, on CF 7 the horn is activated by a push on the end of the turn signal.  I'm not entirely certain but the glove box might be located in the center of the dash [hard to tell in the brief glimpse], and I am sure the folks at AC were thrilled with the thought of two actor's posteriors sitting on the top cover whilst they were driven around.  People in 1960's Britian believed in using turn signals about as much as most American's do [now or then].
   
   I'm happy to have learned about CF 1's appearance via this site: http://theavengers.tv/forever/cars-2.htm.  And hence ordered this DVD ages and ages ago [long before I knew about this site].  I'm pleased I came across the DVD last night and have learned the ropes of the latest version of iMovie and YouTube enough to share it with everyone.
   
   Cheers and Enjoy!
   
   --  Chuck
   
   P.S. While I have used yhe handbrake on CF 7, I've used it as a parking brake, not for rapid 180's.

[New Arrival: "AC 428: Modified: Fast and Furious:]

New Arrival:
   "AC 428: Modified: Fast and Furious:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Larger scans in a variety of sizes are located here...:
   http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/motorin/frua/200706_classics_monthly/
   
   I have to say, I got the biggest kick out of reading this article...  I'm more of a Purist when it comes to the AC 428...  Try to keep them as original as possible, upgrades as necessary for drivability or if originals aren't available.  But it's GREAT to know what a C6 Automatic coupe is capable of.  Now we have some baseline information on a highly modified AC 428.
   
   Enjoy!
   
   --  Chuck
   
   P.S. Sorry but this once again exhausts the articles I have on hand.  I continue to look for more, but until I do, this will have to hold us for a while.  --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by Emmanueld
   
The interior is exactly the same plus the car has the same after market AC, I will call Jim and ask him if he has repainted his car red, easy enough. Last time I spoke to him, he told me he still had his 2 428s'. The cars have 428 engines not 427s'.
   
   Emmanuel [:)]
   
   

   
   Hi E,
   
   I'd be curious to hear what the configuration is of his AC 428's...  RHD/LHD, Coupe/Convertable, Auto/Manual, Color, etc.
   
   Thanks!
   
   --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by Emmanueld
   
They probably will be made in the USA for cost reasons!
   
   Emmanuel
   

   
   FINALLY Good News as a result of the pitifully weak dollar!
   
   That's good to hear!
   
   --  Chuck

My apologies for not being more active on the forum as of late.  In mid-December I was felled by a severe case of Intestinal Flu [which I'm still not really 100% recovered from].  Additionally, the weather here has been intermittent lousy to unbearable the past couple of weeks.
   
   Taking pictures of the cockpit area of CF 7 is still on my To-Do list for the benefit of Damien  and CF 9, but I'd just as soon wait until a day when here isn't several inches of snow just outside the garage door [which I would probably have open for more available light...
   
   With the news of the recent "check in" by the current owner of CF 6 it would seem that perhaps we should redouble our efforts to try to locate CF8 so we have a nice little string of early examples...
   
   My best wishes to all participants here for a Safe and Prosperous New Year!
   
   --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by Classicus
   
Hi Michael and welcome [:)]
   
   Any chance of a couple of good colour pics and some background details etc. of CF 6 sometime to add onto the 428 Register ?
   
   Thanks
   
   Cass

   
   Agreed!  It's GREAT to know that such a close brother of CF 7 is among the found!  Even though we have the complete opposite configuration [trans/bodystyle]...  BTW...  Where [roughly - metro area/state/region] is CF 6 hailing from these days, Michael?  CF 7 Resides in the Western Chicago Suburbs...
   
   --  Chuck

quote:Originally posted by Emmanueld
   
Are any people interested in getting together and sharing the cost of making a few windshields? I would get 2 for myself and I think my friend Jeffrey would do the same! Theere are a few companies out here who can do it. The mold is expensive, if people are interested I will look into it and come up with hard prices! Regards,
   
   Emmanuel [;)]
   

   
   Put me on the contact list if they can be shipped safely to the USA.
   
   --  Chuck