“ This part-finished project looks to have been done to a very high level indeed. ”
Being sold on behalf of an elderly enthusiast who cannot finish the project, this Frazer Nash 1½ litre Super Sports project needs another special person to complete the work its devoted owner started.

Background
A descendant of the twin-cylinder, chain-driven GN Cycle Car, the Frazer Nash 1½ litre Super Sports was given the iconic nickname of The Chain Gang thanks to the multitude of chains it employed, with one being used for each gear ratio.

The early cars employed three to provide forward drive, with the later ones gaining both an extra gear and the corresponding chain to drive it – plus, of course, one for the reverse gear.

This unusual arrangement is lighter than a traditional gearbox and consumes less power; there’s a reason motorcycles and bicycles are still predominantly chain-driven…

It is also much easier to change gear ratios, making a Fraser Nash the ideal competition weapon to use across different disciplines and circuits.

They handle brilliantly too – once you are used to them: Thanks to their somewhat dramatic power-oversteer, contemporary reports said, “Frazer Nashes don’t go around corners, they merely change direction.”

The rest of the chassis is more conventional with quarter-elliptic springs, rack-and-pinion steering and, initially, cable-operated brakes for the rear axle only.

The ‘Power Plus’ 1.5-litre engine was an inline four with overhead vales initially, and side valves being fitted a year after production started in 1924.

Approximately 450 cars had been built by the time production ended in 1954, of which around 350 were pre-war ‘Chain Gang’ models.

Overview
This delightful Frazer Nash 1½ litre Super Sports was first registered in February 1926 with the registration number ‘CGC 458’. We believe it was then re-registered in September 1935 as ‘PE 8865’, while the HPI report suggests this was later changed to ‘BS 8528’ and it now wears the registration number ‘OI 4027’.

Confused? You are not alone and circumstances sadly mean we cannot confirm any of this with the Fraser Nash’s owner.

Raced at Brooklands in-period, the seller bought it in 1955, and it appears to have been the subject of a rebuild/rebody in the early part of this century. Clearly done to a very high standard – admire the meticulous nature of the handwritten calculations that pepper the history file, for example – sadly, we don’t know any more than that, and nor do we know if this unfinished project is complete.

But we doubt it’s possible to have more fun on four wheels than this: as a friend of the firm once said, “Vintage cars are amazing. My Austin Seven has changed my life in a way that owning Caterhams, TVRs, and Porsches didn't.”

And it’s being offered with no reserve, so will be going to a new home no matter what.

Exterior
The history file includes photos that suggest it was dismantled in 1958 and then rebuilt over a wooden frame in 1967-69. There is also an invoice from 2010 for aluminium panels, plus earlier images that show it in action with a completely different body.

It is, therefore, something of a mystery as well as a lifelong passion; the owner is obviously a man who relished the challenges a project like this throws up – and reveled in overcoming them in the most elegant way possible.

And this is a very elegant car. Its ‘boat tail’ design has been left in unpainted alloy, and it reeks of vintage charm with just a hint of the rake thrown in; we haven’t tested the Klaxon Klaxet horn but suspect it’s loud enough to scare horses in the neighbouring county.

All the main vintage styling cues are present including a Boyce Motometer on top of the commanding radiator, upside-down front leaf springs, positive-camber front wheels, a starting handle, a wooden toolbox on the running boards, an external handbrake and gearchange, and a rudimentary windscreen.

And we aren’t finished yet because the minimalist hood is supported by a varnished wooden frame; the huge headlamps, whose cases are hinged to allow easy changing of the bulbs, have their own serial number; the bonnet pivots on brass hinges that are held in place with copper rivets; and the sidelights on top of the cycle wings are Toby Baxter’s iconic ‘Bulls Eye’ design.

It’s all in great shape too, even if some bits like the wings and lights have only been temporarily screwed into place for the photos.

Because yes, this is a bit of a project and comes with a pallet loaded with (possibly) all the bits you’ll need to finish it.

The 19-inch wire wheels, which have been painted black, are pukka Rudge-Whitworth jobbies and they appear to be in good order. Of course, the spare is mounted on the nearside wing, and the spares package includes matching wheels by the same firm.

The tyres fitted – including the wing-mounted spare – are 4.00-19 by Mabor, and y’all know how we feel about matching tyres by now.

It also comes with a tonneau cover, and if ever a car was designed to be driven in the snow with your upper half protected by a WWII sheepskin flying jacket and your nether regions protected by a tonneau, it is this.

Finally, it has also been fitted with rear lights, including indicators, in the interests of safety.

As for flaws, there are a few scratches and dinks across the coachwork, and the roof is torn where it meets the nearside windscreen pillar. That’s all we spotted but we must remind you that this is a project, and the need for fettling and finishing is to be expected.

View the car and current bidding price HERE