• One of only fifteen Targa Florios built
• Built to a unique specification for Wyndham Hewitt
• Campaigned in the 1953 Sestriere Rally and Rallye Soleil-Cannes
• Long-term UK ownership spanning four decades

Introduced in 1952, the Frazer Nash Targa Florio was born following three successful years that the marque had enjoyed in post-war competition. Designed to please customers who were seeking a sporting road car whilst retaining a competitive potential, the Targa Florio featured numerous design innovations, most notably the lightweight ‘200’ series chassis.

‘FN182’ was commissioned and built for Wyndham Hewitt from Dorset, UK, and delivered on 6th January 1953.

One of only ten Targa Florios built with the desirable early body style, Hewitt ordered his car with the intention of competing in international rallies. Built to Gran Sport specification and featuring lightweight 18-guage aluminium-alloy bodywork, the car was fitted with a uniquely large radiator grill, three inches wider than standard, and brake cooling holes on either side. Additional options included a large 20 ½ gallon fuel tank, a Marchal fog light and a long-distance driving light.

Hewitt’s unique Targa Florio made its competition debut in February 1953 at the Sestriere Rally, where Hewitt was joined by Alex Von Falkenhausen. Unfortunately, ‘FN182’ was forced to retire due to a broken A-bracket in the rear suspension, which had become an issue on several other Targa Florios. A visit back to the Works would see the A-bracket reinforced, and Hewitt was back behind the wheel and competing in the Rallye Soleil-Cannes in March 1953.

In March 1955, W. Eric Whiston of Macclesfield acquired the Targa Florio with a recorded mileage of 10, 845 miles. Limited to road use, Whiston sold the car in April 1958 with the odometer reading 22, 662 miles.

Bill Ellison purchased the car from AFN in March 1961 and used it in trials, hill climbs, and races, before ownership passed to Peter Gibson in 1964, who continued to campaign the Targa Florio in FNCC and HSCC events.

1968 would see ‘FN182’ change hands once more, being purchased by David Muirhead who continued to race the Targa Florio in HSCC events, winning the Frazer Nash Car Club Challenge Shield in 1968 and 1969.

Frazer Nash historian and author, James Trigwell purchased the car in 1977 and treated it to a sympathetic restoration, repainting the car dark green and reupholstering the interior with green leather.

In 1982 Tim Harding acquired ‘FN182’ and the car remained in his loving ownership for the next four decades. Over this period, the Targa Florio has been regularly enjoyed and maintained and is now available following a recent service with UK based specialists, Stanton Motorsport.