#FrazerNash

Frazer Nash was founded in England in the early 1920s, a direct heir to the experience gained by Archibald Goodman Frazer-Nash and Ron Godfrey in building the famous GN Cyclecars—light and ingenious competition machines. Established in 1922 at Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, the new company aimed to produce sports cars for a discerning clientele. The first true Frazer Nash, distinct from the earlier GN models, appeared in 1924. From the beginning, these cars stood out for their original technical solutions, particularly the chain drive to the rear wheels—derived from GN experience—which saved weight and eliminated the differential. The design was spartan, focused on performance and mechanical simplicity: light frames, essential bodies, and engines supplied by various manufacturers—Plus-Power, Anzani, Meadows, Blackburne—according to customer specifications. Between 1924 and 1939, about 350 chain-drive cars were produced, all aimed at sporting drivers and enthusiasts of pure motoring. In 1927, the first company encountered financial difficulties and was succeeded by AFN Limited (Archibald Frazer-Nash Limited), which continued operations. A few years later, management passed to the Aldington family, and the factory was relocated to Isleworth. Under Aldington leadership, the company gained new momentum, becoming in 1934 the official British importer and assembler for BMW cars. These German automobiles were marketed in the United Kingdom under the name “Frazer Nash BMW,” linking the British marque to one of Europe’s most advanced manufacturers. Frazer Nash cars also distinguished themselves in competition: before the war they achieved good results in hill climbs, rallies, and endurance events, earning a reputation for reliability and lively performance. After the war, AFN resumed production with thoroughly renewed but still sporting models. The chosen powerplant was the Bristol inline six-cylinder, directly derived from the BMW 328, fitted to agile chassis and lightweight bodies. Thus were born the Le Mans Replica of 1948, followed by the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and Le Mans Coupé. Frazer Nash cars of this era also proved successful internationally, as at the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans, where they secured a prestigious third overall. Between 1948 and 1957, about eighty-five sports cars were built, all in very limited numbers and intended for private drivers. Craftsmanship remained exceptional, but the company could not maintain competitiveness in the rapidly evolving postwar industry, dominated by larger manufacturers and more modern solutions. Production ceased definitively in 1957, bringing to an end a brief yet significant chapter. The Frazer Nash marque represents a vital link between the pioneering age of British cyclecars and the technical maturity of the postwar gentleman-driver sports cars, preserving an honored place in the history of European sporting automobiles. Later, AFN became the UK importer for Porsche, a role it held until 1987, when Porsche established its own British subsidiary, Porsche Cars Great Britain Ltd., bringing AFN’s long history to a close.

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