Lot Ended
Description
Ex-factory demonstrator; sympathetically restored in the
mid-1980s and lightly used since; few owners; wiring needs attention
Like so many
British car companies, the Coventry firm of Lea-Francis started out in life as
manufacturers of bicycles, trying their hand at motorcars in 1904. For most of
the 1920s and ‘30s Lea-Francis concentrated on building small capacity sporting
models. The 12hp and the 14hp were introduced in 1937 and continued until
the outbreak of war in 1939 when production ceased and the factory
concentrated on manufacturing for the war effort.
Post-war car production recommenced 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. Power came from
Lea-Francis's own 65bhp Riley-style twin-cam overhead-valve 1.8-litre four,
designed by Henry Rose who had also led development of the Riley twin-cam. From
1949 independent front suspension was adopted and these fine cars sold steadily,
around 1,500 saloons finding customers before production came to an end in
1954.
First registered in Coventry in July
1954, this Lea-F must be one of the last made. According to notes on file it was
originally a sales demonstrator owned by Lea-Francis themselves, being sold to
Farrier Engineering of Cardiff when it was less than a year old. It then spent
30 years with a Herbert Hodgson of Newport before being acquired by another
local man, David Wooley, in 1985.
A
confectioner by trade and the owner of a collection of classic cars, Mr Wooley
spent 12 months restoring the Lea-F, as recounted in a newspaper article on
file. Although it was in good running order, the aluminium bodywork had a few
dents and the paint was past its best so it was carefully straightened out and
repainted. The wooden floor sections had rotted in places so these were also
replaced. The interior was restored by Spencer Brothers of Newport who
refurbished the seats and fitted new carpets and headlining.
Mr Wooley kept the Lea-F for the next 28
years, taking it to many shows. It then briefly had two further owners before
our vendor acquired it in 2015. Various invoices show routine upkeep over the
next couple of years. The car has now developed an electrical fault and is being
sold here as a non-runner, the vendor stating that it would ideally be re-wired
before being put back into use.
As you can see in the photos, it looks
very attractive with nice shiny paintwork marred only by some deterioration on
the o/s rear wing and some slight bubbling at the base of the front passenger
door. The interior also looks smart although the stitching has shrunk on the
front passenger seat squab.
Retaining its
original (transferable) Coventry-issue number plate, PDU 570, it also comes with
an original owner’s handbook, a period sales brochure and two sets of keys.
Gamely on offer at no reserve, the best bid takes it home.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]