Topic: Solved - MJW #142 - Parsons Lea-Francis Special

[woodinsight]

I really don't know much about this car.
I suspect one of our members will know more.
One point awaits the identification of the name/base car

[barrett]

You suspect right!
Now if I can just find it before this moves up.....

[woodinsight]

Good luck! 

[woodinsight]

Experts?

[barrett]

Lea-Francis special based on a 1927 14/40, originally built by Basil Parsons.
The special was only half built when WWII broke out and remained unfinished after the war.Parsons sold the car to Jeremy Pierson in 1960 who made some more progress including designing a system to move the headlights with the steering.
Car was not finished and was sold in 1985, but bought back 12 years later. I presume it is still being 'finished' by Pierson today.

[woodinsight]

That's an excellent reply to this unusual special - and you are correct of course. Well done!
Two more photos of the car- one not so good and another of the car under restoration-

[barrett]

Cool photo, the first one I've seen with doors in situ!
an interesting feature of the car that is visible in that photo but not in any others, is the folding metal hardtop. I'm not sure if it was planned to be mechanical or hand operated, but it was certainly an unusual feature for a home-built special of the 30s. It also explains the rather odd windscreen treatment visible in the other photos

[woodinsight]

I don't know when the restoration photo was taken but I'm interested to see what emerges!

[Allan L]

As you might expect, I knew this car too! Here's another photo from Jeremy's website which shows the rolling chassis and body separated and gives an idea of the original, if lowered, 14/40 LFS
 

[woodinsight]

Thanks Allan - I'd never seen an 'unclothed' photo before