Description
Besley Heritage Ltd are delighted to offer an important piece of British motorsport history. This 1952 Connaught A-Type represents the ingenuity and determination of one of the UK’s most revered racing marques. Under the direction of ex-RAF officers Rodney Clarke and Michael Oliver, Connaught Engineering became a pioneering force in British motorsport, producing exquisitely engineered and beautifully crafted racing cars. In October 1955, Connaught secured a landmark victory when Tony Brooks drove a B-Type to win the Syracuse Grand Prix, making Connaught the first British constructor to claim a major Grand Prix victory since Henry Segrave’s 1924 triumph for Sunbeam—a full 31 years earlier.
The A-Type Connaught, introduced in 1950, was built for Formula 2 competition and quickly established itself as a force in national and minor international events. Designed around a twin-tube chassis with torsion-bar suspension, it featured magnesium-alloy wheels, which were stiffer and lighter than traditional wire-spoked wheels. Power came from a Lea-Francis-based high-camshaft 4-cylinder engine, enlarged from its original 1, 767cc to 1, 960cc, developing up to 145bhp with dry-sump lubrication and four Amal carburettors. The power unit was mated to a Wilson pre-selector gearbox, offering seamless shifting for rapid acceleration. Connaught’s innovative design also placed twin pannier fuel tanks within the wheelbase to maintain handling balance as fuel levels changed during a race.
By the end of 1953, nine A-Type Connaughts had been built, achieving 21 wins, 12 second places, and 10 third-place finishes, firmly establishing Connaught as a leading manufacturer of lightweight, competitive racing cars.
Chassis ‘A2/ AX’ – A Unique Piece of Connaught History
This particular Connaught A-Type, known as chassis ‘AX’, was assembled in the late 1950s to early 1960s using primarily original Connaught-made components. Its story begins with Jack Horton, a well-known competitor in Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) events, who sought a shorter, lighter car than his long-wheelbase Connaught ‘AL10’ for sprint and hill-climb competition.
Horton sourced the chassis from Ken Flint, an Alta and Connaught specialist who had acquired surplus components from Connaught’s closure sale in 1957. This particular chassis, sold at auction as Lot 718, was brand new and unused, still wearing its factory red oxide primer coat. Horton purchased it in 1959-60 and assembled the car using his own extensive stock of Connaught parts, fabricating only the front suspension wishbones from scratch.
The completed car was built with sprint and hill-climb events in mind, featuring a smaller rear-mounted fuel tank instead of the standard pannier tanks. Power came from a Lea-Francis-based engine, fitted with twin-choke Weber carburettors rather than the usual four Amal units. The car retained its Armstrong-Siddeley pre-selector gearbox, making it a rare and historically significant variation of the A-Type.
Horton successfully campaigned this car in VSCC and historic racing events until selling it to Dan Margulies in 1964, a well-known historic racer and dealer, who promptly won a VSCC All-Comers race in it. The car was later acquired by Alta specialist Hugh Clifford before passing to Dennis Kitchener in 1969, who is said to have raced it once at Silverstone before suffering an engine failure.
The Connaught then entered the long-term private collection of Arthur Carter, where it remained preserved for over 36 years before being restored in 1983 to authentic 1950s racing specification. FIA papers were granted, confirming its eligibility for historic racing, and from 1984-86, it was raced successfully by Brian Turner. In 1999, its FIA papers were renewed, and it was prepared for the Goodwood Revival, where it finished 9th after starting last due to mechanical issues in qualifying.
Throughout its historic racing career, this Connaught has been expertly maintained by Hall & Hall, ensuring it remains in race-ready condition. It is offered with an FIA MSA Historic Technical Passport (GB9486), last issued October 21, 2014, valid until the end of 2024 under FIA Class F2/ 1 (Period E: 1947-1960). It will now require a renewal to race at FIA and International Events.
A Rare and Significant Historic Racing Opportunity
This Connaught A-Type ‘AX’ offers a rare chance to acquire a genuine 1950s Formula 2 single-seater, built from original Connaught components and boasting a proven period racing history. With its long-term provenance, successful competition record, and expert preservation, this car represents an outstanding entry into top-level international historic racing. Today, this 950s Grand Prix machine is eligible for Goodwood, Monaco Historic, HGPCA and VSCC.
Available for sale, exclusively with Besley Heritage Ltd: £124, 995
