Automobile Frazer Nash Vitesse 1927 in vendita

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1927 Frazer Nash Vitesse

Registration: PH 2042

Chassis No. 1120

Engine No. 126 (Lea-Francis Twin Cam)

Supplied new by the Frazer Nash works in 1927 as a Vitesse fitted with a supercharged Anzani engine, this is a car that has spent much of its life doing exactly what its makers intended — being driven hard, raced enthusiastically and continually developed by knowledgeable owners in pursuit of greater performance.

Its early history is particularly appealing. From 1930 until 1935, the car was owned by R. L. Bellamy, who campaigned the car extensively in trials and at Brooklands. Period photographs held within the history file show PH 2042 competing in the Whitsun Trophy and other events, including a wonderful image of PH 2042 overtaking Tom Delaney's famous Hyper Lea-Francis. These are not merely stories passed down through ownership; they are documented chapters in the car's life.

By 1935, the Frazer Nash had moved to a new custodian. Like many enthusiastic owners of the period, the new owner sought additional performance and, in 1939, replaced the original engine with a 1,500cc Lea-Francis twin-cam unit. This was a thoroughly period modification and entirely in keeping with the competitive spirit of the day.

Post-War History

The car's post-war history is equally fascinating. In 1951, PH 2042 underwent restoration and was re-registered as MOR 996 by Philip E. Neale. During this restoration, the body was lowered to create the purposeful stance it retains today, accounting for its noticeably different appearance compared with earlier photographs. In 1958, ownership passed to Arthur Gibson, then transferred in 1961 to Terry Burke, who fitted a Meadows 4ED engine. The car appeared in the programme for the Seaman Trophy meeting at Oulton Park that year, a copy of which remains within the history file.

In 2004, noted Frazer Nash enthusiast Duncan McGregor successfully recovered the original registration number, PH 2042, restoring another important piece of the car's identity.

Current Custodianship

Remarkably, in 2022 the original 1939 Lea-Francis twin-cam engine was discovered residing in a pre-war HRG. The following year it was reunited with PH 2042, replacing the Meadows 4ED unit that had powered the car for many years.

For our client, returning PH 2042 to the specification it carried from 1939 represented an opportunity too good to miss. Rather than recreating something the car had ceased to be decades earlier, the decision was made to preserve an important chapter of its authentic pre-war story.

The next brief was simple: make the car mechanically exceptional and ready to be enjoyed without compromise. To achieve this, the car was entrusted to Dr Jonathan Rose, who undertook a comprehensive programme of works. The front axle, steering, brakes and transmission were thoroughly inspected and rebuilt as required, while a new rear axle incorporating split sprockets was fitted alongside new bearings throughout. The engine, clutch and associated mechanical systems were carefully inspected and recommissioned for regular use. Further attention was given by Winston Teague, who completely rewired the car using period-correct materials and methods, ensuring reliability whilst preserving authenticity.

Today, PH 2042 presents as an exceptionally well-sorted and highly usable Frazer Nash with genuine competition history, extensive documentation and a mechanical specification that reflects an important chapter of its pre-war life. It is not a static museum piece but rather the sort of Frazer Nash that encourages participation — a car equally at home on a club rally, hillclimb, VSCC event or simply being enjoyed on the open road.

Accompanied by copies of factory records, period photographs, event documentation and invoices detailing the recent mechanical work, PH 2042 offers a rare opportunity to acquire a well-known Frazer Nash with a richly documented history and character all of its own.

1927 Frazer Nash Vitesse (Period Brooklands Race History)

1927 Frazer Nash Vitesse (Period Brooklands Race History)

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