Description
EX- Reg Parnell' car Beautiful convertible in superb condition. The car runs perfectly It is the number 1 that the owner of the brand had reserved for himself The mechanics have been completely overhauled. Steering redone (new steering box) Léa-Francis made 85 2. 5l Sports roadsters including this one which is the number 1 with a competition engine. The body is all-aluminium with a 4-speed gearbox coupled to a 2. 5-litre 4-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts and twin SU carburettors developing over 100 bhp. History of the model: In 1951, this car remained in the factory and was used as a demonstration and test car. In 1952, it was specially prepared for its new owner, Formula 1 driver Reg Parnell (he took part in the World Championship for 4 seasons at the wheel of Alfa, Maseraiti, Ferrari, BRM and Cooper, then became a team manager racing John Surtees, Roy Salvadori, etc.). Few people know it, but this Lea-Francis 4-cylinder 2500cc engine was fitted in the Connaught F1 that competed in the World Championship between 1952 and 1954 for Connaught Engineering, Ecurie Belge, Ecurie Ecole and the Rob Walker Racing Team with notable drivers Stirling Moss, Prince Bira and Johnny Claes. The car received a major factory overhaul in November 1955 and a new paint job in 1956. The car was again restored in 1961 by Barrie Price for the 5th owner Kenneth Benfield, director of the Lea-Francis company. The car was restored in two-tone black and yellow paint with the addition of a running board and complete upholstery refurbishment in the early 2010's. The mechanicals, suspension and steering have all been restored to like-new condition. The car reaches and exceeds a speed of 150 kilometres. Visible centre France. Factory test car specially prepared for F1 driver Reg Parnell.
