Frazer Nash TT Rep

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The demise of cyclecar maker GN in 1922 forced its co-founder, Archie Frazer-Nash to develop his own cars, marketing them under his own name.

A keen and successful competitor in a variety of GN based ‘specials’, Frazer-Nash was well aware of the performance potential offered by the rudimentary transmission system from the GN, opting to sell his new cars as ‘out and out’ sports cars rather than budget cyclecars.

Using the unconventional GN chain drive transmission in a very basic chassis, his new lightweight models had a near instant gear change and highly effective and entertaining handling, a fact obvious to all those who have witnessed the controlled “Nash power slide”. A simple system of dog clutches was used to engage a range of sprockets giving different gear ratios to a solid back axle.

Early cars were fitted with Plus Power engines, but these quickly gave way to the light and effective 1.5 litre sv Anzani. In September 1929 the first car appeared with an ohv Meadows 4ED engine, a heavier unit, but one which offered another 15bhp in standard form with potential for a great deal more – 140bhp + is not uncommon these days! For a brief period a customer could choose a Blackburn 6-cylinder twin-ohc engine, which wasn’t quite as good in practice as on paper, or Frazer-Nash’s own engine designed by a man called Albert Gough, which had an ohc and fancy water-cooled main bearings which proved to be its Achilles heel.

Boulogne, Colmore, and Ulster models were named after particular racing achievements, with the Falcons and Interceptors adding to the bewildering range of cars offered. At the end of the 1931 season the works introduced a new model called the Boulogne II which also went by the name of TT Replica – the latter name sticking with the car until the last cars were to leave the Isleworth factory.

Contemporary road tests loved the performance, with 85mph maximum speeds and rapid acceleration along with exemplary road manners. The fact that a company which produced just 348 chain-drive cars became such a well known marque was due to the extensive use of its products in competition. The works supported such an active racing programme that the majority of cars were sold to owners keen to join in the fun.

Chassis 2171 is listed in the factory records as having been completed by the Frazer Nash works on 1st November 1936. It is reputed to have used the chassis frame from the 1931 Boulogne which was extensively raced by TG Moore, the owner of Motorsport Magazine. It was registered as a new car by the works in August 1937 - clearly recycling was in vogue even then!

David Thirlby’s book, ‘The Chain-drive Frazer Nash’ lists its first owner as Mr Gregory and that it was the 5th from last chain-drive car built. Supplied new with a Meadows engine, it was sold to a Mr Crowther sometime in the mid ‘40s who competed in it post-war before putting it into Lord Montague’s motor museum in Brighton in 1958. It then passed into the hands of Peter Still in 1968 who campaigned it very successfully (including winning the Lakeland Trial) until he sold it to the vendor in 1998.

During Still’s ownership it was extensively rebuilt, the engine getting a full rebuild including new pistons, re-sleeved block, Nash section crank regrind and new bearings shortly before the vendor purchased the car. The brakes were also relined, the interior reupholstered in green leather, the floorboards replaced and new carpets fitted.

Since purchase, the vendor has had the car professionally rewired by Vehicle Wiring Services and fitted a new twin carburettor ‘deflector’ head with both carbs rebuilt. The rear crank seal has been replaced, along with new undertrays and a new coil and distributor. The radiator has been rebuilt and a new stainless exhaust system fitted, the mechanical work being undertaken by Alan Dunn of Beckhouse Engineering. A new hood has also been fitted within the last couple of years.

The file of documentation includes two old buff logbooks and no fewer than 29 old MOTs, the car having flown through its test last month with no advisories recorded. The tax disc also runs until next August..

The Frazer Nash Car Club, or ‘Chain Gang’ as it is more popularly known, is a world away from most one-make car clubs. Owners are actively encouraged to trial, race, sprint and use their cars. ‘Raids’ to Bolzano in Italy every ten years are interspersed with ice racing, East-West coast runs in America and regular trips to far flung parts of Europe. An excellent spares scheme and several marque specialists are on hand to assist in keeping the cars running.

Such is the enduring popularity of the Frazer Nash that many examples have been heavily modified, chopped about or recreated out of parts. Don’t be confused, however, by the term Replica in the title of this car. With cast iron provenance and a continuous history, it is probably one of the finest, most genuine Boulogne TT Reps around. Being one of very few to escape onto the open market rather than be passed on within the ‘Chain Gang’ club, it certainly represents an opportunity not to be missed.