Classic Cars of Interest: 1951 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports

Since my earlier posting regarding this car, I have succeeded in getting her into sufficient running order that she could be driven out of the garage and photographed more accurately.

I have also discovered some more information about the history of the car. The chassis number is 5238 and the engine number is S5257. According to the factory build card, she was built in 1950 and was used by Lea-Francis as their show car for the 1950 London Motor Show held at Earls Court. The original color was Electric Blue, with beige leather interior.

In March 1951, she was exported to Vaughn Singer Motors in Hollywood, California and sold to Mr. Perry Peron, a race car driver. Although registered in California as a 1952 vehicle, by English standards she would properly be considered a 1951 car, based on the date of sale.

Thereafter, the history of the car is based on the recollection of the last owner. Mr. Peron apparently sold the car in the early 1960's to Mr. Don Shoenfeld of Venice, California. Shoenfeld owned the car until the early 1970's. By this time the color had been changed to red and it's condition had deteriorated. The car was stored in Shoenfeld's back yard in non-running order until the last owner, Mr. Irv Charles, discovered her, and expressed interest. Shoenfeld apparently told Charles that "if you tow it you can have it," and Charles accepted the offer.

Mr. Charles commenced a restoration, repainting the exterior to the current silver over black, and reupholstering the interior with black vinyl. The car has been stored in Mr. Charles' garage but rarely used in the last few years due to his declining health.

Here are some photographs giving a better picture of the car than those previously published.

Exterior:

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports

Interior:

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Interior

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Dashboard

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Dashboard Plaque

Engine:

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Engine

A curious feature of this particular Lea-Francis Sports 2.5 Litre is the absence of engine cooling vents typically seen on other 2.5 Liter cars. Closer examination of the interior of the engine bay shows that vents were originally fitted, but for reasons best know to a previous owner, filled in.

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Engine bay shows evidence of blanked-off cooling vents

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - cracks in the paint show the location of blanked-off cooling vents

The overall condition of the bodywork is good, however, it is not without defects. Some are the result of damage caused during the 1994 Northridge earthquake, when items in Mr. Charles' garage fell onto the car. There is also evidence of repairs to various panels that were not particularly well done.

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Rear wheel spat and fender were damaged
when the car was stored in Mr. Shoenfeld's garden close to a growing tree.

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Front near side wing

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Front off side wing

1952 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports - Front near side wing

Despite the defects, the most important thing about this car is that it is all there, and is in running condition.

1 comment:

AnonymousMay 5, 2014 at 10:24 AM
What an absolutely lovely motor! I spent my early years in the seat of the saloon version of the same year as it was our family car in the UK. Always had a soft spot for the LeaF.

My own car appeared at a couple of events with this LeaF. I own the ex-John Burkhard 1936 Singer Le Mans SS that often appeared at FCCA events back in the 50's.

Monday, April 21, 2014

1951 Lea-Francis 2.5 Litre Sports

1 comment: