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Lea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassis

Lea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassis
Lea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassisLea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassis
Lot number 57
Hammer value N/S (est. £2,000 - £2,500)
Description Lea-Francis 14HP Saloon rolling chassis
Year 1947
Engine size 1,796 cc
Chassis No. 2402

Like so many British car companies, the Coventry firm of Lea-Francis started out in life as manufacturers of bicycles and didn't build their first motorcar until 1904, followed by a break until 1920 when their next model appeared.

For most of the 1920s and ‘30s Lea-Francis concentrated on building small, sporting models, either open or closed saloons. The 12hp and the 14hp were introduced in 1937 and continued until the start of the war in 1939 when production ceased and the factory concentrated on manufacturing for the war effort.

Post-war car production commenced in 1946 with updated vehicles based on the pre-war designs. The 14hp Saloon and Sports were luxurious and sporty vehicles and were well-received, if expensive, appealing to those who preferred individuality and craftsmanship to the banality of mass production. Power came from Lea-Francis's own Riley-style twin-cam overhead-valve 1.8-litre four, designed by Henry Rose who had formerly played a leading role in designing Riley engines. 

The 14hp was produced until 1954 and was to become Lea-Francis’ most successful model with 2,133 examples finding new customers. The chassis was even supplied to Connaught as the basis for their excellent sports cars – demonstrating the potential of this excellent design. Many others have had the same idea and this rolling chassis was purchased with the intention of turning it into a ‘Leaf’ Special.

Chassis 2402 comes with some interesting correspondence from Lea-Francis Cars which states that it was originally registered LVT 30 and was initially used by the firm as a test bed “for the trialing of new or development/prototype parts for future implementation on new model type vehicles”. It apparently left the works on 9th October 1947 bound for Stoke Motors Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent.

Nothing is known of the subsequent history of the car but bills on file show that in 1993 the brakes, steering and suspension were overhauled by Barrie Price at Lea-Francis Cars. We are told that the rear axle was also rebuilt but there are no bills for this. Some rudimentary fibreglass bodywork has also been fitted at some point. All the major mechanical parts appear to be present and the vehicle is now a blank canvas on which the new owner can impose their own fantasies! It should certainly keep someone busy in the shed for a few months…
 

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