c 1952 Lea Francis 'Tojeiro'

14th Jun, 2023 13:00 Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-125---c1954-lea-francis-tojeiro/?lot=57777&so=0&st=Francis&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=48&pn=1&g=1 Believed to be a ‘lost’ Tojeiro chassis Current family ownership since 1984 and residing in the vendor's father’s large car collection for many years A very interesting potential entry into the 1950s drum brake race series Offered with period racing images What a golden age the 1950s were for fans of sporting machinery. Besides the mainstream models from MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, et al, there were a plethora of companies offering stylish bodies with which to upcycle a humble Austin Seven or Ford Eight. While, those with deeper pockets were served by a whole cottage industry of up-and-coming racing car constructors. It was an exciting time peppered with names that would enter into motoring folklore: Lotus and Cooper, Costin and Lola, and plenty more. Back-street cars that could give the big boys a run for their money. Although mainly remembered for the AC Ace, John Tojeiro was a prolific designer whose lightweight frames were famed for their strength and balance. Best known as a chassis engineer, he produced a long line of successful racing cars, most famously in conjunction with the Ecurie Ecosse team. Indeed, the Ecurie Ecosse Tojeiro EE was one of the first sports racers to utilise a mid-engine layout to enhance handling and traction. With the history of the Ace and Carroll Shelby developing it into the AC Cobra, marrying a thunderous American V8 engine with the lightweight British chassis, John Tojeiro’s legacy in the motor industry is unquestionable. The car on offer here was eventually road registered as ‘5170 ND’ on 11th September 1961. The accompanying buff-logbook lists the make and model as Lea-Francis Tojiero (sic) and quotes a chassis number of ‘AB 8861’. The same letter and number sequence appearing on a plate affixed to the structure. The latter’s origins are unknown but may or may not have something to do with A.B. ‘Barrie’ Price’s purchase of the Lea-Francis name around that time. The engine with which the car was road registered (and the one it retains today) is a Lea-Francis 1.8-litre unit. Designed by Harry Rose, the four-cylinder powerplant features twin, high-set camshafts and was also to be found in Connaught’s A-Type single-seaters and L-Type sports racers. The example aboard ‘5170 ND’ is conjectured to have once run on methanol. Again, it is supposition, but the two-seater is thought to have been first bodied in alloy. However, at some stage fibreglass front and rear clips have been fitted (possibly due to a racing accident). The central tub is aluminium and deemed original. Joining the vendor’s late father’s impressive West Country-based collection during the mid-1980s, ‘5170 ND’ has lain dormant as a ‘one day’ project for the past four decades. Albeit the seller has made various enquiries about its potential past. Early photographs on file show the two-seater testing or competing at Lydden Hill Race Circuit, and on airfield tracks (possibly Blackbushe or Mildenhall). Interestingly, Mr Gauld has confirmed that TAD 6/54 ran on wire wheels of a similar type to those sported by ‘5170 ND’. The previous owner’s son has also been in touch to say that the car remained active in competion up until the late 1970s. In addition to the aforementioned buff logbook, the ‘Lea-Francis Tojiero’ comes with a 1970s-issued MOT and an oldy-type V5 Registration Document. A very interesting potential entry into the 1950s drum brake race series and temptingly offered without reserve. With thanks to Graham Gauld for his assistance in the research. PLEASE NOTE: Since cataloguing, we have been contacted by a former owner of TAD 6/54, who has informed us that the car was sold into Italy and he believes still remains there, but he did suggest the car offered resembles a Tojeiro Climax. PLEASE NOTE: Following further conversations with Graham Gauld and further research following the discoveries surrounding TAD 6/54, it is possible that the car offered began life as chassis TAD 7/54. Furthermore, it is known that when John Tojeiro was asked to produce a chassis for an individual in possession of an engine for racing, the chassis manufactured were not provided with a chassis number and thus, this could also be one such example. Information from Graham Gauld's book ‘Toj, John Tojeiro and His Cars’: TAD 7/54 started life as a Tojeiro-Lea-Francis and was entered at Crystal Palace in 1954 in Ecurie Bira with the Siamese driver M. Prasamon driving. A letter exists suggesting this was the first chassis to have a Jaguar engine fitted but this was not the original engine.