The Frazer Nash

News - 2000

Early in the year, we had correspondence on the history of the Frazer Nash business and drivers.   Although these inquiries were beyond our expertise, various correspondents with this web site provided answers to these queries.   There is much material waiting for a history page!

In March, Michael Parr, the owner of the Targa Florio featured in the December issue of "Thoroughbred and Classic Cars", provided a compilation  of his car's early racing history.  This new data was incorporated in the "Early Frazer Nash Competition Appearances" table.

Later in March, we received some great photos of two Frazer Nash LeMans Replicas in New Zealand from Mr. David Starling.  These will appear on the "Photographs" page when more data about these cars is received and sorted out.

Soon after, we received another rare photo and description of the "missing" Targa Florio winner from the May 31, 1953 issue of the SCCA National Newsletter.  This article is on the "Postwar Frazer Nash Models" page.  See the bottom of this page for links to these references.

April bought us another note from Nic Dyer, an AFN employee who first wrote:

"I was employed by AFN between 1951 and 1952 and was involved with the final preparation of the 1951 show cars. I was also concerned with the build of the car which Moss drove at Monaco in 1952. I am particularly interested in the Cabriolet which was on the show stand at Earls Court in 1951 and would welcome news of anybody who may have worked for AFN at that time."

and later, after meeting with Jim Trigwell, Leslie Jennings and John Aldington, he wrote:

"I am sure it must be difficult for you, in spacious America to, appreciate how relatively easy it is for us all to get together. Happily we meet many other 'Nash owners at race meetings and so are able to keep up-to-date quite easily. My own story is now almost fully documented and I am exploring ways of publishing it. If it happens I'll let you know. I might add that I was concerned with the building of your Turin Show car and also Errol Flynn's car, just before I left AFN to join the Army, although my memory does not allow much detail!  I look forward to hearing from you and any other Nash enthusiasts whose cars that I might have been involved with. Better still, if you hear from any other ex-AFN employees I would welcome the opportunity to be in touch."

Later in April, I heard from Paul Bullett in the UK, who has started a web site for the chain-drive Frazer Nash cars.  Great!  Please visit the  Chain -Drive Frazer Nash.  We will now have all the Frazer Nash cars well-covered.

And finally in April, we initiated correspondence with the last "unknown" Frazer Nash owner in the U.S.  At this time, there are eleven postwar Frazer Nash's in the U.S. among nine owners.

In June, I received an email from a fellow Imperial owner who was also a former AFN employee.  Ciaran Payne wrote in part:

"Nice to hear from another classic car enthusiast and it's amazing how links and connections develop. I worked for Frazer Nash that was, which became AFN Ltd. during the early 50's, from the mid 70's to early 80's and during my period with AFN the original works foreman, Nelson Ledger, was still employed by the company in a caretaker capacity in retirement....He told me many stories about the manufacture of Frazer Nash's under the ownership of H J Aldington who had acquired the company...  The family owned it under his son John Aldington until mid 80's (I think) when Porsche AG (Germany) bought out Porsche GB which in turn owned AFN Ltd (and still does). 

The company had its own collection of Frazer Nash's which I had the opportunity to drive at various times, but the rarest one of all I understand was a car built in 1952 for Motor Show and exhibited again in 1953 in a different colour that utilised part Porsche body work but I can't remember the engine this car utilised, but it was the subject of many discussions at AFN about its whereabouts. (Editor's note:  This was probably one of the last two Continental models) 

The showroom I worked in was the original factory building where Frazer Nash's were produced in Isleworth, England, not far from Heathrow Airport, which only in recent years was knocked down and replaced by a newer VW showroom.  But one of the original factory units situated not far from this showroom is actually still in existence."

This is a classic case of serendipity and we hope to hear more history from Mr. Payne, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Jennings and anyone else  associated with Frazer Nash or AFN, Ltd.

As this is being written (June 17), three of the postwar Frazer Nash's are running in the Liege-Rome-Liege rally.  Good luck to the Mille Miglia (Alex & Jane Boswell), Targa Florio (Chris & Sandy Wilson), and Sebring (Richard & Trisha Pilkington)!

News - 1999

Mr. Waltman provided a very enthusiastic history of his LeMans Replica, including a picture, in a letter to Mick Walsh at "Classic and Sports Car". This appears on page 151 of the March, 1999 issue. In the same column, Mr. Walsh mentioned this web site. Thanks!

On February 15, 1999, Murray Smith sent me an email with updated owner information on Le Mans Replica S/N 421/100/154. He wrote that it was formerly owned by Bob Fergus and that he acquired it in December, 1998. We hope for more details and pictures on this car and Mr. Waltman's Le Mans Replica.

At the end of March I received a very nice note from Peter Radcliffe, Cornwall, England:

I can supply Frazer Nash Models in 1/43 scale.  If interested please contact me for complete details.  Please visit my web site for Merrymeet Model Cars.

• Spyder (421/E2, engine 1056), body by Touring of Milan, show car at Geneva in 1948, first owner was the Shah of Iran.
  
  
• Le Mans Replica (421/100/109, engine FNS 1/11), first owned by Count "Johnny" Lurani, raced extensively by Franco Cortese, won Targa Florio in 1951. Rebodied with Fiat 8V type coupe body by Riva.
  
  
• Le Mans Replica (421/100/160, engine FNS 1/37), described below, 1952 Sebring winner.
  
  
• Targa Florio (421/200/169, engine FNS 1/41), described below, original owner was Errol Flynn.
  

"Sure I know what a Frazer Nash is.....I was employed by the Company at Isleworth in 1951 and given the position 'In charge of engine development, testing and tuning' by the boss himself- H.J. Aldington."