It was in 1922 that Archibald Frazer Nash left GN, the company he had co-founded with Henry Godfrey, and established his own eponymous venture in Kingston upon Thames. The initial chain drive offerings were a logical development of the GN models. However, within five years the business was in trouble and entered receivership, re-emerging as AFN Ltd. By 1929, H. J. Aldington had become its major shareholder and was running the company with his brothers Donald and William. During 1934 it became the UK importer and assembler of the BMW marque, the results of which were sold as Frazer Nash-BMWs. Following WWII, the company created a number of new models including the High Speed, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Le Mans Coupe and the Sebring, all of which were in essence evolutions of the BMW 328. As its name suggests, the High Speed was a no-nonsense lightweight competition version that featured minimal bodywork and cycle wings. It was powered by the 1971cc straight-six BMW unit that had been developed by Bristol under licence from AFN. This was mated to a Bristol four-speed manual gearbox. Suspension was independent at the front by transverse leaf spring and by live axle and torsion bars at the rear. With some 125bhp powering a two-seater of just 635kg, the performance was predictably impressive, and the High Speed was capable of achieving the 0-60mph sprint in around 8.8 seconds and powering on to a terminal speed of some 110mph.
It was a High Speed that AFN entered for the first post-WW2 Le Mans 24 Hours race, which was held in 1949. The result was memorable, with H. J. Aldington and co-driver Norman Culpan finishing a magnificent third overall. This prompted the company to rebrand the High Speed as a Le Mans Replica – thereby resurrecting a type of nomenclature from its past. The model was immortalised at the hands of such racing legends as Stirling Moss, Roy Salvadori, Tony Brooks and Tony Crook of Bristol Cars fame. And, bearing in mind a total of just 34 examples of the High Speed/Le Mans Replica were built before production ceased in 1953, these cars are now highly prized by collectors. Moreover, with demand falling some way short of supply, a market for quality evocations of the Le Mans Replica has understandably evolved over the years.
A small batch was constructed by the renowned restorers Crosthwaite & Gardiner, followed by a series of some 11 cars in circa 1989/1990 by engineer and Stafford-based classic car dealer Werner Oswald. They were copied directly from an original MKI example owned at the time by another well-known motor trader and BRDC racer Frank Sytner. Never offered in fully assembled form, they were sold as kits, leading to them being known as WOKs – i.e. Werner Oswald Kits. During the production phase it was discovered that the name Frazer Nash Cars had remained dormant for a number of years, so was duly purchased by the company in order to legitimately allow its products to be advertised as `Made by Frazer Nash Cars’.
This car – ‘MXS 586’
This Werner Oswald Le Mans Replica entered the current ownership in late 2019 and was imported from Hamilton, via agents ‘Oldtimer Australia’. Sporting Green coachwork with matching Green interior trim, ‘MXS 586’ was the subject comprehensive restoration around 2002, with many further refinements carried out since its return to UK soil.
Running and driving faultlessly during our recent photography session, the Le Mans replica took part in an on-track demonstration to celebrate the life and success of Stirling Moss, during the 2006 Melbourne Grand Prix – his signature still sits above the driver’s door as a memento from that event. The car is correctly UK-registered as a 1952 Frazer Nash Le Mans (chassis number 421100), with proof of taxes and duties paid when imported by CARS UK. Sold with a large and comprehensive history file including technical literature, early correspondence with Werner Oswald himself as well as lots of receipts for maintenance and repairs. Offered with a tonneau cover and an original specification steering wheel – a smaller wood-rimmed Mota Lita sample is currently fitted for ease in entering and exiting the cockpit.
Fabulous to drive on the road, with the option of applying for FIA HTP papers. This making it eligible and potentially highly competitive for many of the more exciting competition events, with only minor changes required.
