MOTOR CARS | 201Here we are privileged to offer one of the most original and unspoiled of
all surviving original Frazer Nash Le Mans Replicas, completed as-new
by Frazer Nash manufacturer AFN Limited at its 0sleworth, West London,
factory - the Falcon Works - in September, 1950.
Company records preserved today by the Frazer Nash Archive show that
this car, 'FN20', was the twentieth Le Mans Replica completed at AFN's
Falcon Works, but it was - from the beginning - given the chassis serial
number '127'. No proven reason for this has emerged during the car's
66-year life. In common with its preceding sister car 'FN19', this car was
completed with Newton telescopic dampers front and rear which were
mounted outside the body panelling, while its wing support brackets
were exposed on top of the wing panels themselves. The car was also
equipped with Al-Fin brake drums, an 0nvicta handbrake and a 3.7:1
back axle ratio.
The car was ordered new by Anthony Crook Motors in Caterham, Surrey,
for Anthony Alastair Buster Baring. 0t was finished in maroon paintwork
with black upholstery, and was entered for the August 26, 1950, One-
Hour Production Sports Car Race scheduled for the maQor 'Daily Express'
Silverstone race meeting, but it was not ready in time.
Anthony Baring had also entered it for that year's RAC Tourist Trophy
race at Dundrod, <lster, but after practice decided that the engine
remained too tight after insufficient running-in period and so he opted to
become a non-starter. The car's competition debut followed one week
later, on September 23, 1950, when it was loaned to Donald Pitt for the
Shelsley Walsh hill-climb meeting, in which he promptly beat Tony Crook
to win the 3-litre sports car class...Early in 1951 Anthony Crook purchased VH? 39 offered here from
Anthony Baring, and sold it to fellow motor trader/racer Roy Francesco
Salvadori, the British-born son of Tuscan-Italian parents and already
a most experienced International competitor in the early years of his
very fine racing career. By the time he acquired this Frazer Nash he
had already made a considerable name for himself as a very fast and
combative racing driver in MG, Riley, Alfa Romeo Monoposto, Maserati
and Healey cars. This ex-Baring Frazer Nash was then race-prepared
for him by Anthony Crook Motors and Roy Salvadori made his debut in
the eight-month old Frazer Nash in the BRDC 0nternational Trophy May
Meeting at Silverstone, on May 5, 1951.Roy Salvadori in no.39, Goodwood, 1952 LAT