motor cars

Fine automobilia | 45

Above the gearbox are two external reduction gears to the rear of

the block, previously activating a battery-electric drive-train, and the

radiator has a separate core within the chromed shell, which features

the distinctive filler-cap and miniature lozenge-shaped badge. The

engine appears to be an alloy cast block with detachable head and

sump, with a cast exhaust manifold section with threaded holes to

accommodate sparking plugs.

Measuring 60cm long, a remarkably accurate representation of the

famous Chain-Gang Nash, and presented in ‘barn-find’ condition,

latterly dry-stored. Built to exhibition-standard just after WWII, and

bearing remnant traces of the original number plate inscribed ‘ERG

1948’, believed to represent the year of construction and the initials

of the model-maker, who may have owned an original car of this type,

offered together with an original programme for the Model Engineering

Exhibition of 1948 held at the Horticultural Halls in London.

£5,500 - 6,500

€6,900 - 8,100

154

154 ◊
A fine scrAtchbuilt frAZer-nAsh ‘tt replicA’ scAle
model, circA 1948,
engineer-built model of the famous ‘Chain-Gang’ Nash, renowned
icon of the true Vintage Sports Car, constructed of mainly metal and
brass on a conventional chassis of channel-section side-members
and cruciform cross-bracing to centre-section, with suspension by
double quarter-elliptic springing to front, live rear-axle transmission
(not following the chain-drive principle of the original), under-bonnet
features include a 4-cylinder in-line side-valve pattern model motor
with detachable cylinder-head, the chassis and suspension well-
detailed with dummy brake drums with knock-off eared hubcaps
retaining the removable triple outside-laced spoked wire wheels fitted
with Dunlop ‘Trackgrip’ rubber tyres, steering linkage with track-rods
and drag-link, steering box and column and four-spoke steering wheel.

All bright-work is chromed brass, and minute detail is applied to the
fold-flat windscreen with threaded wing-nut adjustments, fold-flat aero
screens, external exhaust with triple-branch manifold, downpipes,
silencer and distinctive ‘fish-tail’, also including miniature battery-
electric headlamps, side and tail-lamps, all still wired and mostly
retaining original bulbs, controlled by a miniature dash switch. Other
detailed chromed fittings include the spring-loaded bonnet-catches,
ratchet fly-off handbrake and outside gear-change lever.
The bodywork, constructed partly of aviation-quality Perspex and thin-
gauge hand-beaten brass or aluminium panels, painted in red enamel
original livery, and hinged bonnet with twin rows of multi-louvered
panels, and subsidiary hinges to each side, the near-side panel
relieved to accommodate the external exhaust-pipes. The passenger
door, with concealed catch and external handle and interior featuring a
pair of bucket seats with pleated leather squabs and backs, with rear
compartment covered by a ‘double-duck’ type canvas tonneau cover
with miniature ‘lift-a-dot’ pattern fittings.