1949 Lea-Francis 14hp Sports

- Two owners from 1955 to 2020

- Subject of comprehensive older restoration

- Matching numbers example

Founded in the early 20th century, Lea-Francis quickly gained recognition for their high-quality engineering and innovative designs. Best known for their sports cars and competition prowess during the 1920s and 1930s, Lea-Francis took part in prestigious events such as the Le Mans 24 hours and Monte Carlo Rally, most notably in 1928 entering Le Mans and placing first in class. Thereafter Lea-Francis cars very quickly became popular choices for trials and hill climb events, being mechanically reliable they were able to endure long distances and challenging conditions whilst delivering strong results.

Lea-Francis was revived under new management in 1937 to produce a new car designed by ex-Riley man, Hugh Rose, with an engine similar in layout to the Riley but with two camshafts mounted high in the block, and very short pushrods. Few of these cars were produced pre-war but after 1945, their 14hp successors proved popular, both in the form of saloons and attractive sports cars. The beguiling and streamlined shape, considered by many to be ahead of its time, was to be seen in many of the more important sportscar races throughout the UK.

This super Lea-Francis 14hp Sports was assembled and sent to coachbuilders Abbey Panels on 21st October 1948, completed and finished in black, to be registered in London on the 27th January 1949 by dealer Charles Follett with the number KLM 56. The second owner Mr. George Simpson acquired the car in 1955, by 1960 the Lea-Francis was taken off the road for a long term renovation which was never completed. A number of bills for around this time confirm his intentions; receipts in the file include those for larger SU H4 1½“ carburettors and higher compression pistons.

Mr. Simpson kept the car stored for a further 36 years until his passing in 1991, afterwhich KLM 56 was acquired by the previous owner, Mr. Peter Baston, well respected Spares Secretary of the Lea Francis Owners Club. Mr. Baston embarked on a thorough restoration to finally return the car to the road in around 1993. A photographic record documents this restoration, after which the Lea Francis was pressed into service for the famous Lands End to John O’Groats runs of the 1990s, later starring in the 1998 NEC International Motor Show.

Mr. Baston sold the 14hp to the current owner in 2020, who has diligently picked up maintenance of the car as required. In 2020 the suspension king-pins and bushes were overhauled. New Avon turbospeed tyres were fitted in 2021, as was a fully rebuilt Burman Douglas steering box. Around the same time the engine was treated to a top end overhaul including new valves, studs, gaskets, and an oil/filter change, with an MoT at 29,339 miles.

Since then, garage kept and seldom-used, the Lea-Francis now shows 30,163 miles on the odometer, being currently dry stored at the vendor’s premises.

The Sports is offered with a substantial file containing current V5C and older buff log book, build sheet copy, a number of operating notes, Driver’s Handbook, a thick sheaf of invoices dating back to the mid-1950s, correspondence from the family of second owner George Simpson in 1991, also a number of MoTs dating to the early 1990s. Although not fitted, the original wheel spats will be supplied with the car.

Now VSCC eligible under the new acceptance of pre ‘56 drum braked sports cars, this beautifully preserved, very well historied example will make we are sure a superb steed for the older car enthusiast.