Frazer Nash
Frazer Nash was a brand of British sports car manufactured from 1922 first by Frazer Nash Limited founded by engineer Archibald Frazer-Nash. On its financial collapse in 1927 a new company, AFN Limited, was incorporated. Control of AFN passed to Harold John Aldington in 1929.
Until the Second World War AFN continued to produce a small number of sports cars badged Frazer Nash incorporating a unique multi-chain transmission. It continued after the war making another 85 sports cars before ending manufacture in 1957. The post-war cars had conventional transmissions.
UK agents for BMW they arranged coachwork and made modifications including badging the cars Frazer Nash BMW.
Control of AFN Limited, UK agents for Porsche, passed from the Aldington family to Porsche in 1987.
History
Archie Nash
Frazer Nash Limited's business was founded in 1922 by Archie Nash. Nash with friend Ron Godfrey had founded and run the GN cyclecar company in 1909 but their partnership split in 1922 and Nash began making his own cars by buying GN components and adding a new body. His new business's activities were centred on Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. The first true Frazer Nash was made in 1924. However, Nash, a clever engineer and designer, seemed unable to run a business at a profit. Shareholders in this period even included author Evelyn Waugh. Eventually the faltering business was sold to a new company, AFN Limited, formed in 1927. Profitability did not improve and, with effect from 1 January 1929, H J Aldington was made managing director and Nash was given the post of 'technical adviser'. Archie Nash managed to keep a small shareholding and as if to confirm the link in 1938 hyphenated his second name to his surname and became Archie Frazer-Nash.Aldington brothers
During 1929 a majority of AFN's capital was acquired by Harold Joseph Aldington and AFN's operations moved to Isleworth, Middlesex. Thereafter, the business was run by the three Aldington brothers: Aldy, Don and Bill. The other two were Donald Arthur Aldington and William Henry Aldington. They were all usually referred to by their initials.Frazer Nash and subsequently AFN produced around 350 of the famous chain drive models between 1924 and 1939.
The last of the family owners/directors was Aldy's son, John Taylor Aldington, who sold AFN Ltd to Porsche GB in 1987.
Frazer Nash BMW
Bristol BMW
AFN Ltd produced about 85 more cars from 1948 to 1957. These cars were entirely unrelated to the chain-drive pre-war Frazer Nash but were largely a direct evolution of the sporting BMW 328 mentioned above.AFN, as owners of the UK rights to the 328 engine, licensed Bristol to make it against an agreement for its supply to them. Models include the Le Mans Replica, the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, the Le Mans Coupé and the Sebring. Competition successes included a third place at Le Mans and wins in the Targa Florio in 1951 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1952. The post-war cars are very highly prized by collectors.
Formula 2 cars produced by the company contested various races including four Grand Prix events counting towards the 1952 World Championship of Drivers. The cars were driven by Tony Crook and Ken Wharton.
Porsche
In 1954 AFN Limited added Porsche cars becoming the official importer for Great Britain in 1956. This lasted until 1965 when Porsche Cars Great Britain was set up. Aldington family members remained on the board of this company until John Aldington sold out to Porsche in 1987.Products
Considering the small number of cars made, the model range is vast and the following is not entirely comprehensive. Cars were all built to order and virtually any combination was possible. Some were rebuilt at the factory as different versions.Pre-war models
Post-war models
Grand Prix
Frazer Nash cars participated in four Grands Prix races counting towards the World Championship of Drivers. Drivers of Frazer Nash cars scored 3 World Championship points.| Year | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Driver | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Frazer Nash FN48 Frazer Nash 421 | Bristol Straight-6 | SUI | 500 | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | NED | ITA | |||
| Frazer Nash FN48 Frazer Nash 421 | Bristol Straight-6 | Ken Wharton | 4 | Ret | Ret | |||||||
| Frazer Nash FN48 Frazer Nash 421 | Bristol Straight-6 | Tony Crook | 21 |