British Anzani Astra Utility (sole survivor)

History

Founded in London in 1912, British Anzani began life as an agency of Anzani Moteurs d'Aviation which had opened for business in Paris in 1907. Designed by Italian-French engineer Alessandro Anzani, the aero engines that the company made were renowned for their light weight, high power and utter reliability, most famously powering Louis Bleriot across the English Channel in 1909.

From the outset British Anzani began to modify and refine the engines and was soon producing its own highly successful aero engines from its factory in Willesden. After WWI the firm branched out into motorcycle engines and a 500cc British Anzani engine powered Claude Temple to a new two-wheel land speed record in 1923. Apart from powering bikes such as AJW, OEC, McEvoy, Trump and Montgomery, Anzani engines were also used in Morgan sports cars of the period and went on to power sports cars from makers such as AC, Squire and Frazer Nash. They also became famous for a range of outboard motors, powering some of the most successful racing boats of the 1950s.   

In the austerity years after WWII Anzani went into light car production, in 1954 buying the rights to a utility vehicle known as the Little Horse which had originally been developed by JARC Motors of Isleworth. Installing their own 322cc motorcycle engine into the rear underfloor engine compartment, Anzani changed some of the design specifications, renamed it the Astra Utility and marketed it to 'tradesmen, travellers and service engineers'.

With a steel chassis and a lightweight aluminium body supported on a pine frame, it had a load carrying capacity of 3½cwt and it's 15bhp engine and three speed gearbox gave a top speed of 55mph with 60mpg economy. It had independent suspension by swing axles, hydraulic brakes and seated two in relative comfort at an on the road price of £347.16s.0d including purchase tax. Production ceased in 1959.

This particular Astra is believed to be the only surviving example in the world and was acquired from the defunct Kew Motor Museum by the current vendor in 1999. He undertook a total body-off restoration of the car which included a full chassis rebuild and a new pine frame. New stainless steel inner front wings were also fitted but the rest of the aluminium panelwork is original as are the perspex windows. The three-cylinder engine was stripped and rebuilt with a new crankpin and new piston rings and new tyres have been fitted all round. The car now needs rewiring and the engine refitting to complete.

Still on its original 566 CPC registration number and with a current V5, this represents a unique opportunity to acquire a fascinating piece of motoring history at a very modest guide price.

Thanks to The British Anzani Archive for their help in preparing this description