Chassis Number: 2033
Frazer Nash was founded in 1922 by Captain Archibald Frazer-Nash, who in partnership with H R Godfrey had been producing the GN cyclecar. Designed by Godfrey and Frazer-Nash, the GN was Britain’s first and best-known cyclecar. The two young engineers set up shop initially in Hendon, North London, whence the first GN emerged in December 1910. By the outbreak of the Great War, GN had sold approximately 200 cars. After the war, GN was bought by the British Gregoire Company and production moved to larger premises in Wandsworth, South West London, in 1919. In 1922 both Frazer-Nash and Godfrey left the firm, the former to set up under his own name while the latter went on to co-found HRG. Between 1924 and 1954, when production effectively ceased, approximately 450 Frazer Nash cars were produced, of which 350 were pre-war “Chain Gang” models. This Interceptor is a fabulous benchmark example which emerges from nearly four decades of ownership and adhering in every way to the way in which it would have been delivered. Viewed now even after many years of inactivity, the ’Nash is a remarkably good and honest example. It retains an overhead-valve Meadows engine, which corresponds with its original chassis plate as the number with which it was born (although records suggest that it may later have been powered by unit 10251). Its bodywork does not have a coachbuilder plaque but is known to be original to the car and corresponds with the way it was originally delivered, and so is likely its Wylder-built 3/4-seater format, which retains original wood wherever evident. Its original undertrays are also present, as well as full weather protection with side screens, top and tonneau covers. Most probably the subject of an older restoration, the fabric and interior have a pleasingly authentic and aged look to them. Believed to have been on the road last in the early 2000s, the car nevertheless responded well to a check-over and has been made to run. A more-thorough check-over would be recommended before being submitted to the aggressive sporting use to which it lends itself. Unquestionably a rare car to find on this side of the Atlantic, a “Chain Gang” Frazer Nash is a truly legendary automobile built by one of the schools of engineering that boisterously carved its own path in the day and has always been appreciated by a succession of equally individually minded enthusiast collectors. Anyone who has ever experienced driving one of these machines knows that they’re onto something that is incredibly charismatic, esoteric, but above all, fast and fun.
