FRAZER NASH AND BMW

Based in Isleworth, AFN Ltd was formed following HJ Aldington’s acquisition of Frazer Nash in 1927 and ‘chain-gang’ models such as the TT Replica and Nürburg enjoyed success in trials, hillclimbing and racing. Motorsport would be the arena that would have a sizeable influence on AFN’S direction, when at the 1934 Coupes des Alpes, the hitherto competitive Frazer Nash team was beaten by BMW 315s.

The six-cylinder sports car so impressed Aldington that he contacted BMW. By 19 November 1934, he had signed a contract turning Frazer Nash into BMW’S British concessionaire. Frazer Nash-bmws would be sold alongside the firm’s existing range, and ultimately the right-hand-drive 315s, 319s, 320s, 326s, 327s and 328s would outsell total chain-gang production by a ratio of two-to-one.

Plans were made to build BMWS under licence and market them as Frazer Nash cars due to the hostility towards Germany after the Great War, but WW2 quashed any chance of this Britishbased manufacturing happening. Post-war, the chain-gang cars were history, as were plans for the Frazer Nash-bristol, but BAC supplied AFN with Bristol FNS engines for its Fiedler-designed models including the High Speed/competition, Le Mans Rep (below), Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Sebring; production totalled just 84 cars.

Frazer Nash built its final model in 1957. Its relationship with BMW lasted until a falling out over the UK sales rights to the 1959 700.