1952 Frazer Nash Targa Florio

1952 Frazer Nash Targa Florio 

The Frazer Nash, named after its founder Archibald Nash,  produced small-capacity chain-driven sports cars from the 1920s up to the Second World War, later under the care of the Aldington brothers. Prior to WWII, Frazer Nash had become the importer and assembler of RHD BMWs, cars which were  advanced for their time. War reparations saw BMW’s designs become owned by Bristol, who would go on to produce their own cars with these designs and provide slightly updated BMW engines to other manufacturers including Frazer Nash. In an agreement for engine supply, Frazer Nash would become part-owned by Bristol with the Aldington brothers retaining a significant interest. Once Frazer Nash production ceased, the Aldington brothers continued Frazer Nash as AFN Ltd, the UK importers for Porsche, only selling the company to the German manufacturer in 1987. Post-war, Frazer Nashes claimed 3rd overall at the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans, outright victory at both the 1951 Targa Florio and the inaugural running of the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1952. What was key for Frazer Nash was that it produced lightweight and agile cars, with relatively powerful 2.0-litre six-cylinder Bristol engines, all in a reliable package. The lightweight, small-capacity approach would become the mainstay of the British approach to motorsport, something that continues to this day. The Targa Florio model was aimed at being a slightly lower cost model, with a similar parallel-tube chassis to the Le Mans Rep Mk II, clothed in a sporty closed-wheel body. The price difference ended up being minimal, but Targa Florios were available in Turismo (100 bhp) and Gran Sport (125 bhp) specifications. Despite the lower price, the Targa Florio was still double the price of a Jaguar XK120 Roadster and resulting demand meant that only 15 examples were built, 10 of which were the sportier Mk1s. Targa Florio’s were produced in two body styles, the earlier and more desirable is the ‘short tail’ body with the unmistakeable Frazer Nash grille, whilst the later cars received longer bodies with an open nose, essentially a roofless Le Mans Coupe. As a testament to the Frazer Nash build quality and desirability, the vast majority of the 85 post-war cars still exist today.

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