Topic: Not what it seems 2:Lea-Francis P type with Zagato-style body

[Allan L]

Here is another oddity where the apparant identity is misleading in the extreme.
Let's see if we have anyone who can unscramble the true make of this car!

[Allan L]

moved.......................................

[helen m]

"Not what it seems" suggests to me that this is not a vintage car, but a modern replica.  i don't know if i've found the car or just something a bit like it, as there are some differences, but here's something called a vincent m.p.h.

[neilshouse]

I'm not sure what it is, whether it's old or new, but it looks like an Alfa Romeo Monza with a Lea-Francis radiator grille. 

I was thinking it is one of the Triumph Dolomite straight 8s, but the front end doesn't look right.

[Allan L]

To answer both Helen M and Neilshouse at once:
It was made in modern times, but the car beneath is Vintage
Yes it is a Lea-Francis radiator.
You may well be right in thinking it looks like an Alfa Romeo, but not a Monza - not the Dolomite Alfa copy either

[neilshouse]

It is a Lea Francis, fitted with an Alfa Romeo body, I have found an online advert for this car, the text is as follows (it has been translated from German) -

For sale due to ending of hobby. 1929 lea francis Type P with later found Zagato body. German registration and TUV. Easy handling, great sound, welcome with all int. rallies.

This is from http://www.nolinks

I'm not sure who built it, or how they managed to 'find' a Zagato body from a pre war Alfa.

[Allan L]

That's the one.

It is a shortened P-Type 12/40 Lea-Francis clad in a body that looks like a Zagato Alfa's, but is in fact a modern construction - no Alfas were harmed in the construction!
The 10 degree sloping radiator would be from a W-type saloon
69,000 Euros seems a lot for something so non-authentic - if you don't mind a post-period constructed car this Hyper at £32000 (38,500 Euros) is a better bet, and even that seems a bit pricey

http:nolinks.html