Description
Ultra Rare Historical Race Car, your ticket to most historic or classic race entries
Special Formula 2 Sports-Car Racing
Two-Seater
Chassis no. C7098
Engine no. SC3725
• Extensive period competition history
• Continuous ownership history
• Well maintained throughout its life
• Purpose built competition special
• Development dry sump engine
Footnotes
Chassis 7089 was ordered through Rossleigh Ltd, Lea-Francis Glasgow agents, order number SRS192, invoice C9943, with the chassis being sent by rail on 7th March
1949. Notes on the delivery from the archive history of Lea-Francis (copy in file) note that the engine was to be collected by the customer separately.
A gentleman who undoubtedly knew about both racing and Lea-Francis was William Skelly, whose father ran a Morris, Ford and Lea-Francis dealership in Motherwell. He was a student apprentice in 1949 and with the help from such people as John Wire, Norman Dewis (chief tester at Lea-Francis, before his famous Jaguar career) and Albert Ludgate built up a Lea-Francis special designed for racing in 1949, based on the sports chassis 7089.
Young Mr Skelly decided that a chassis length of 8 ft 3 inches was far too long for racing, so he shortened the chassis to 7 ft 9 inches. The engine side was left to Albert Ludgate who installed one of his pets, a dry sump racing engine. Fitted with minimal bodywork but an identifiable radiator grill, this Lea-Francis special was soon ready for the track, and undoubtedly a super looking special.
The car fared well in competition, starting with a class win at Bo'ness Hillclimb in 1949.
Through attending Coventry technical College William
Skelly became friendly with Ken Wharton, a well-regarded 'specials' builder and known as one willing to drive anything on wheels in any kind of competition from driving tests to Grand Prix who helped him further develop the car.
Skelly entered the car into the 1950 Formula 2 race at Blandford Forum and driven by Ted Lund it finished in 1st place. Skelly painted the car red (the same colour as it presents today) but was forced to paint it green for the 1950 Handicap Race at the Ulster Trophy Meeting. The new colour scheme didn't slow the car and it finished a respectable 6th Place.
Most notably the car also took part in the 1950 Isle of Man TT Manx Cup, Dundrod, and the Whitsun Trophy at Goodwood finishing 6th.
Other notable results within the cars extensive period competition history include Goodwood in March 1951, and again at the Manx Cup in 1951.
The car finished 4th at Silverstone in heat 1 of the International Trophy meeting 1951.
After much competition successes Mr Skelly decided to move on from the Lea-Francis, and it was sold in 1952 to Colin Escott, the cousin of Frank Sytner. The car is believed to have inspired Ken McAlpine to build the Connaught A-type Grand Prix car.
The car changed hands again in 1964 before being bought by a Mr Majzub around 1980.
There is paperwork listing the continuous ownership history on file, and the car has formed part of some significant worldwide collections within the last 20 years. Ivan Dutton brokered a deal to Julian Majzub in 2003, the car then passed to Martin Overington before being sold to our vendor in 2018.
Never offered on the open market before, this unique Special is offered with a large history file, full of competition notes and results also includes an original buff logbook, expired HTP paperwork for Period E, and a host of bills and receipts.
As a period build competition special, 'Skelly' offers its new custodian the chance to own a Formula 2 Open-
Two-Seater which is eminently eligible for worldwide road and race competition, having formed part of having formed part of some significant collections. With its freshly rebuilt competition engine and new zero miles gearbox,
'7098' is also offered with wings and lights, allowing for road use. Offered on the open market for the first time in its life, this is an exciting proposition for any person wishes to potentially enter Monaco Historic or Mille Miglia Classic 1000 mile race or any other prestigious event.
