Fraser Nash BMW

1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 320

Reg Number: JHX 333

Chassis Number: 90013

Archibald Frazer-Nash and Henry Ronald Godfrey founded the GN Cycle Company in 1922. The company went into receivership in 1927 and emerged as AFN Limited with HJ Aldington (HJ) becoming the owner of AFN at the beginning of 1929 following the illness of Archie Frazer-Nash and a subsequent down turn in business.

By 1934 it was evident to HJ that BMW were becoming too competitive in the continental rallies due to their advanced handling and suspension design. After AFN finished second to BMW in the San Remo Rally that year. HJ approached their General Director and AFN were awarded the licence to import BMWs into England with an additional licence to manufacture motor cars. In December 1934. it was announced that AFN would be selling the Frazer Nash-BMW and would soon be importing rolling chassis for assembly to a British specification. The production of Frazer Nash built or assembled BMW's was never engaged commercially; the vast majority of the Frazer Nash-BMW's were imported complete as righthand drive cars already bearing the Frazer Nash-BMW Badge. AFN were the official British BMW importers until the start of hostilities in 1939.

AFN did import a number of chassis for the building of their own Anglicised BMW's. This 320. two litre. four door saloon; chassis 90813; bodied by Bertelli in 1937 and the only one of its kind ever produced. This Bertelli 320 was a very advanced motor car for its day. powered by a 1971cc. six cylinder ohv engine providing 45bhp at 3750rpm with drive through a single plate clutch coupled to an aluminium cased four speed gearbox with synchromesh on third and top. Braking was by a hydraulic system incorporating 11” drums and a cable operated handbrake while the car sits upon 16” perforated steel wheels. Instead of the earlier tubular chassis frame. this car is of the later box section design with aluminium coachwork and steel nose and wing sections. The chassis incorporates the superb rack and pinion steering of the earlier cars with a transverse front spring. built-in hydraulic shock absorbers below and conventional semi-elliptic springs to the rear. It is absolutely unique - Frazer Nash intended to market a number of English bodied BMW's for 1938 but for reasons unknown this never happened and. as a result. this remains the only car completed and still in existence today. It is currently in a Barn-find condition and is missing its original engine. gearbox and steering rack (although a blank block. head and gearbox are with the car). Any potential purchaser may wish to note that the Bristol engines and gearboxes are virtually identical in looks and design to the BMW items. The rest of the car is remarkably intact and still retains its original instruments and interior trim although these will also require restoration. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a unique prototype from one of Britain's most historic manufacturers.

For Detailed Information call 0754 2149936

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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