1935 “Lea Francis” Tribute – SOLDJohn2019-06-23T15:32:02+00:00
1935 “Lea Francis” Tribute Midget Racer … RESERVED
Vintage Sports Special, built to the highest professional standards, road legal and registered in UK. Ideal for track days, trials, rallying, hill climbing or just general nostalgic pottering about.
The one-off sports bodywork is a fine example of British craftsmanship, with great attention to period detailing. According to drawings in the history folder, it is based on the Lea Francis 53C Midget Racer (similar to last pic above) of which only a handful were built, which in turn was influenced by the pre-war Bugatti 35C.
In 2007 the highly knowledgeable builder acquired a 1935 Morris 8 rolling chassis from the classified section in the Morris Register Newsletter. The chassis was then boxed for extra strength, and the original steering, front axle, hydraulic brakes and rear suspension (plus Panhard rod) were utilised. Retaining these original basic components secured the original (and valuable) pre-war number plate, in accordance with the stipulations in DVLA guideline leaflet INF 26.
A rebuilt 948cc Healey Sprite engine was sourced and fitted to the frame, with twin SU’s and trumpets, mated to a meticulously made, polished, external exhaust system. A matching 4 speed gearbox was installed with shortened propshaft and Sprite, high ratio rear axle and brakes. The brake/clutch pedal setup is same as the Lotus 7. The 16” rear wheels were rebuilt by Phil Halliwell. The body is of aluminium, over steel tube frame and was professionally built by a local firm of precision engineers to the fastidious owner’s exact blueprints (again, see above pics)
The finished car, in the words of its creator … “Handles nicely, weighs nothing, goes like a rat.”
Today the car is virtually indistinguishable from a 1930’s speedster, in Brooklands Green, with full tonneau, twin fold-down Brooklands type aeroscreens. Cycle wings. Friction dampers. Nicely patinated upholstery. Fully instrumented period style dash and 4-spoke Lagonda pattern steering wheel. Authentic external handbrake. Ample rear boot space for overnight bag or picnic hamper.
To professionally replicate the design and construction of a similar historic sportscar today, think in excess of £40,000!!
If you are looking for something unique, which offers wind in the air, pre-war style motoring, with added reliability at a sensible outlay, this is the car for you. Morgans and MG’s are ten a penny compared to this little crowd-puller.
Comes with a huge history file containing lots of accurate technical drawings and build spec details, workshop manuals, original driver’s handbook, old buff logbook, some old tax discs from the 1950’s, trade invoices, V5 logbook.
Car located in Lytham St Annes, Lancs, transport arranged at £1/pr loaded mile.
For more, call/text John anytime on 07909 231414.
