PogiPete
In a flash
Tarquin senses this last week's constipation is all behind him now.
P.B Blakeney-Edwards' Frazer Nash 1935 TT Replica exuberantly piloted.
The Frazer Nash was the direct descendant of the GN cycle car, a twin-cylinder, chain driven vehicle produced until 1922 by the partnership of Captain Archie Frazer-Nash and H R Godfrey. Archie Frazer-Nash then formed a new company and in 1924 the first Frazer Nash appeared. In 1928 Captain Frazer-Nash left the company, which then came under the control of H J and W H Aldington. Between 1924 and 1954, when production effectively ceased, approximately 450 Frazer Nash cars were produced, of which 350 were pre-war ‘chain gang’ models. Of these, 85 had the most popular TT Replica style of bodywork, which was offered between March 1932 and 1939. The TT Replica was based on the cars that contested the 1931 Tourist Trophy Race, though none of the three cars entered actually finished the event. In 1932 the cars fared better, one finishing 2nd in class.
A number of different engines were used by the factory, and the TT Replica was fitted with 1½-litre, four-cylinder, overhead-valve Meadows engine, the 1,660cc six-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft Blackburne engine, and the 1½-litre, four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft Gough engine. The factory undertook the manufacture of individual cars to order and various combinations of engine and chassis were produced. The first Blackburne-engined TT Replica was registered in May 1933 and the example offered here also was fitted with a Blackburne engine when produced on 20th March 1935. At some later stage, this Replica’s Blackburne unit was replaced with a Gough engine of the period.
Although the chain drive is highly unusual, for a motor car of the period, a chain is more efficient than almost any other form of transmission and the Frazer Nash system was one of the best. References at the time to ‘smoking or red-hot chains lying on the road’ after the rare breakage were mistaken. The reason they were handled with care was because they were dirty, and many chains lasted over 40,000 miles. With their unique form of drive, Frazer Nashes oversteered dramatically under power and it was said at the time that ‘Frazer Nashes never go round corners, they merely change direction.’
While the TT Replica was sold as an all-round performer, it did not achieve significant success in major circuit races. The model’s record in the International Alpine Trials of 1932, 1933 and 1934 is, however, outstanding and equalled by few makes, no doubt due in part to its ability to negotiate the tight Alpine passes under full power. In the 1932 event two cars were entered and lost no marks, while in 1933 a TT Replica was the only car entered not to lose marks. In 1934 four of the team of six cars were un-penalised.
In a flash
Tarquin senses this last week's constipation is all behind him now.
P.B Blakeney-Edwards' Frazer Nash 1935 TT Replica exuberantly piloted.
The Frazer Nash was the direct descendant of the GN cycle car, a twin-cylinder, chain driven vehicle produced until 1922 by the partnership of Captain Archie Frazer-Nash and H R Godfrey. Archie Frazer-Nash then formed a new company and in 1924 the first Frazer Nash appeared. In 1928 Captain Frazer-Nash left the company, which then came under the control of H J and W H Aldington. Between 1924 and 1954, when production effectively ceased, approximately 450 Frazer Nash cars were produced, of which 350 were pre-war ‘chain gang’ models. Of these, 85 had the most popular TT Replica style of bodywork, which was offered between March 1932 and 1939. The TT Replica was based on the cars that contested the 1931 Tourist Trophy Race, though none of the three cars entered actually finished the event. In 1932 the cars fared better, one finishing 2nd in class.
A number of different engines were used by the factory, and the TT Replica was fitted with 1½-litre, four-cylinder, overhead-valve Meadows engine, the 1,660cc six-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft Blackburne engine, and the 1½-litre, four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft Gough engine. The factory undertook the manufacture of individual cars to order and various combinations of engine and chassis were produced. The first Blackburne-engined TT Replica was registered in May 1933 and the example offered here also was fitted with a Blackburne engine when produced on 20th March 1935. At some later stage, this Replica’s Blackburne unit was replaced with a Gough engine of the period.
Although the chain drive is highly unusual, for a motor car of the period, a chain is more efficient than almost any other form of transmission and the Frazer Nash system was one of the best. References at the time to ‘smoking or red-hot chains lying on the road’ after the rare breakage were mistaken. The reason they were handled with care was because they were dirty, and many chains lasted over 40,000 miles. With their unique form of drive, Frazer Nashes oversteered dramatically under power and it was said at the time that ‘Frazer Nashes never go round corners, they merely change direction.’
While the TT Replica was sold as an all-round performer, it did not achieve significant success in major circuit races. The model’s record in the International Alpine Trials of 1932, 1933 and 1934 is, however, outstanding and equalled by few makes, no doubt due in part to its ability to negotiate the tight Alpine passes under full power. In the 1932 event two cars were entered and lost no marks, while in 1933 a TT Replica was the only car entered not to lose marks. In 1934 four of the team of six cars were un-penalised.