1935 Frazer Nash SS Monoposto

Superbly constructed recreation of Frazer Nash’s first single seater racing car
1500cc Meadows 4ED engine with huge Maserati supercharger
A proven competitor during the last few decades in VSCC events and at Goodwood

Built to the exact dimensions as the first AFN single seater it is also panelled in the same contemporary fashion with riveted louvre inserts so is a fine example of a mid-thirties voiturette racing car.

Powered by a 1500cc Meadows 4ED mated to a GP Maserati ‘Roots type’ blower and running on pure methanol it develops 203 bhp from 3500 thru 4500 rpm and over 200 ft./lb torque at 5600 rpm – and a very satisfactory 190 ft./lb at 2750 rpm. Weighing only c650kg with 30l fuel it has a power to weight ratio in the region of 315 bhp/tonne.

The transmission can handle the power via a twin-plate AP racing clutch through a GKN prop-shaft to a standard looking bevel box that is cast in special military grade alloy of twice the usual strength. Duplex 3//4” pitch chains and original spec sprockets take the drive to a S99 steel 1 5/8” axle with a unique centre radius arm. 1st and 2nd gear sprockets are mounted on a special one-off Gibbs designed single three-bolt lightened, steel carrier. This is a ‘bullet-proof’ modification and no axle or keyway issues have since arisen. The whole is drilled and lightened with several features for additional strength and reliability. It is arguably the ultimate in a Frazer Nash racing transmission system. Gear ratios are: 10:1, 7:1, 4.8:1 and 3.5:1

Suspension is by original ‘Woodhead’ quarter elliptic leaf springs all round, the front mounted on outriggers as per the original cars. The front tubular radius arms are to exact works spec as are the rear Dural radius arms and damping is by Andre Hartford friction shock absorbers. Wheels are 450 x 19 Ensign three-stud, Rears 550 x 18 Dunlop race five-stud. Tyre pressures 40 psi front, 33 psi rear.

The original cable braking system has been superseded by a bespoke hydraulic system of twin master cylinders with self-locating brake shoes and discrete in-cockpit front/ rear bias control. The finned magnesium drums are cast to Maserati patterns. The drop-arm drag-link and knuckles are semi pre-war or original. Steering is by an original Adwest worm and peg, also called a ‘Marls’ box with a steering ratio of 1.2 turns lock-to-lock. The 1930s Blumels coated 17” four-spoke steering wheel has a quick-release mechanism copied from a mid-thirties ‘Silver Arrows’ Auto Union curtesy of Dick Crossthwaite.

Detailing overall reflects 1930s practice and care has been taken to incorporate all current legislation discretely within the whole. This is a unique, beautiful and highly competitive example of a pre-war racing car.