Description
Lea-Francis 2. 5 Litre Sports Prototype 1948
Chassis 5000. Registered GKV 904. Engine 5001/ 5363.
2496 cc 4 cylinder 100bhp at 4000rpm
A car with much history, it was the first Lea Francis to be fitted with independent front suspension becoming the first prototype 14 Sports and then prototype 2. 5 litre Sports. A demonstrator at 1949 motor show it retained the prettier body with the bigger engine squeezed in making for a lively performance (100 mph in 1948).
Restored in 1991, documented in Classic Car February 1993
Many photographs, original engine (spare), other spares and a large history file.
GKV drives well and has been reliable and has a full wet weather kit. 1948 LEA-FRANCIS 2. 5 Litre Sports Prototype GKV 904
This car is the prototype postwar Lea-Francis Sports car. It was the first to be fitted with independent front suspension. It became the first prototype 14 Sports and then the prototype 2. 5 Litre Sports.
In July 1947 the chassis was laid down and fitted with IFS by torsion bar. This chassis was numbered 196 continuing the pre-war series. Initially first fitted with a high performance 12hp engine when it became the first prototype 14 Sports (to be available with either a 12hp or a 14hp engine). Before it was bodied it was decided that this model should have a beam axle and so another chassis was laid down with that type of front axle, the engine was transferred to that chassis which was numbered 1300 and it was given the first Abbey Panels body number S 1. A.
This car’s chassis, on receiving the first 2. 5 Litre Lea-Francis engine, was numbered 5000 and became then the prototype 2. 5 Litre Sports retaining its IFS. Experimental work was carried out with a single and then twin SU carburettor(s) and also with different rear axle ratios. The chassis was fitted with a 14 Sports body (number 22A) and was on the road in May 1948 some 18 months before the first production 2. 5 Litre Sports which had a different body and which appeared at the 1949 Motor Show. GKV 904 was on duty at that Motor Show but only as a demonstrator and was retained as a factory demonstrator for some time until released into private ownership.
GKV 904 has retained the original engine 5001 but is now fitted with a later 2. 5 litre engine 5363. The car has had four gearboxes; the first for its time as the 14 Sports prototype, the next when the 2. 5 engine was fitted and the experimental work was carried out, another in 1950 and finally the present ‘box in April 1952. Lea-Francis used Armstrong-Siddeley gearboxes which proved less able to handle the torque of this big four cylinder engine as opposed to that of the 2 litre six cylinder engine for which it was designed.
A 100 mph car in 1948 it has had ten owners since it left the factory’s ownership. An early private owner was Trevor Guy of the lorry and bus manufacturing company who replaced his SS100 with this car, which in turn gave way to a Jaguar XK 120. The record of service at the factory extended to 1956 when the recorded mileage was 35587.
Intended for renovation since 1974 by the two owners previous to the present owner who bought the car in 1991 and had the restoration carried out by A. B. Price Ltd which took over the Lea-Francis name and rights in 1963. There is an illustrated article of that restoration and road impressions in Classic Car February 1993 issue.
Chassis 5000
Front suspension independent by torsion bars.
Engine 5001/ 5363
2496cc 4 cylinder 100bhp at 4000rpm.
Gearbox 4069
Synchromesh on 4th, 3rd and 2nd.
Rear Axle 10136
Ratio 3. 6 to 1
Registered
GKV 904 on 21st May 1948.
