Archibald Frazer Nash left GN (q.v.) in 1922 to set up his own business. Initially, he offered OHV conversions on Rovers, modified GN cars, and rebodied some Deemster cars.
True Frazer Nash cars, on similar chassis to GN cars and with chain-drive transmission were made from 1924. Produced mainly in Kingston upon Thames and later Isleworth, the pre-war “chain-gang” cars utilized sprocket-and-chain gearing, allowing rapid gear changes and a locked rear axle, perfect for motorsport. Only around 400 chain-driven models were made before production ended in 1939.
Post-war, under AFN Ltd (Aldington family control), the company produced 85 specialized cars until 1957. Featuring Bristol engines, models like the Le Mans Replica achieved significant success. AFN also famously imported BMWs, rebranding them as Frazer Nash-BMWs, and later acted as official Porsche agents.
Frazer Nash Super Sports / Fast Tourer
Tourer had longer wheelbase and running boards. From 1925 a more sporting model, the Boulogne, with a more highly tuned Anzani engine was available, a few with ‘Boulogne Vitesse’ had superchargers; Ulster was the competition version.
Years
1925-32
Engine
1496cc S4 Plus-Power/Anzani
Body Style
Sports, tourers
Production
165 + 30 Boulogne + 5 Ulster
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash Interceptor, Falcon & Sportop
HJ Aldington took over in 1929, and the Fast Tourer was replaced with various models still with 2, 3 or 4 seats on long or short chassis, with SV or OHV engines. Intercepors are aluminium; sportops fabric.
Years
1930-32
Engine
1496cc S4
Body Style
Various tourers
Production
25
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: Bonhams
Frazer Nash Colmore
Usually a 4-seater tourer, with 4 / 6-cylinder engines from Meadows / Blackburne. Cheaper Exeter had bodies by Corsica on short chassis. Aluminium panels. Last ‘chain gang’ car.
Years
1932-39
Engine
1496cc S4 Meadows / 1660cc S6 DOHC Blackburne
Body Style
Tourer
Production
19 + 5 Exeter
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash-BMW Type 35 / 40
Right-hand drive version of BMW 315, with English trim and electrics – some with English bodies. Triple carb sports model available as Type 40. Type 45 is UK version of BMW 317 (55 has the 3 carbs).
Years
1934-37
Engine
1490/1911cc S6 OHV
Body Style
Sportscar, tourer, saloon.
Production
.
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: Flickr
Frazer Nash BMW 328
Pre-war 100 mph classic BMW sportscar, with triple carb, hemi head and hydraulic brakes. Imported and converted for the UK by AFN.
Years
1936-39
Engine
1971cc S6 OHV
Body Style
Sportscar
Production
.
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash TT Replica
The classic 2-seater sports Nash of the 1930s. Gough, Meadows, Blackburne engines, plus 1 Anzani engined Ulster and 1 SWB 1.9l BMW ‘Falcon’.
Years
1932-38
Engine
1496cc S4 / 1660cc S6
Body Style
Sportscar
Production
83 + 1 Ulster + 1 BMW
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: Flickr
Frazer Nash Shelsey
Straight-tube front axle with cantilever springs. 4-cylinder Gough engine, usually with twin supercharger, giving 105 mph.
Years
1934-36
Engine
1496cc S4 / 1660cc S6
Body Style
Sportscar
Production
.
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: ClassicMotors
Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica
Named after the 1949 Le Mans 3rd place. AFN owned the UK rights to the BMW 328 engine, and licensed it to Bristol (q.v.). Conventional gearbox, also from Bristol. ‘FN48’ built to F2 regs – GP raced.
Years
1948-53
Engine
1971cc S6
Body Style
Sports
Production
34 + 3 F2
Power: Weight
Up to 125 hp
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash Mille Miglia
Full width body and detuned from the Le Mans Replica but still a 100 mph car.
Years
1948-53
Engine
1971cc S6
Body Style
.
Production
12
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash Targa Florio / Le Mans Coupe
Mille Miglia replacement with light alloy, full-width body with a choice of 100 or 125 hp engines. The coupé was designed for Le Mans… and had a roof!
Years
1952-54/1953-55
Engine
1971cc S6
Body Style
Sportscar, sports coupé
Production
15 / 9
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Frazer Nash Sebring
Full-width body on Le Mans Replica Mk II chassis with 140 hp engine.
Years
1954
Engine
1971cc S6
Body Style
.
Production
3
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: Flickr
Frazer Nash Continental Gran Turismo
Shown and listed at 1958 London Motor Show, with BMW engine. The company’s last fling, but production never got underway.
Years
1957-58
Engine
3168cc V8
Body Style
Sports coupé
Production
2
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Photo: Wikipedia
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