A FAMOUS SPORTS CAR'S NEW HOME
A FAMOUS SPORTS CAR’S NEW HOME
A visit to the new Frazer-Nash Works at Isle worth.
FOR many years Frazer-Nash cars have been famous among owners of sports cars for their remarkable road performance, and it is very gratifying to note that at last they are to have a works worthy of the make, which will enable a proper system of production, in place of the rather ” supplied to order” idea which has hitherto been characteristic of them.
We recently dropped into their new works, which was still in course of construction, and found Mr. Aldington very busy getting things arranged for the production of the latest models. From the days when he was a keen private owner of a G.N. he has maintained his faith in this type of chassis, and now that he is in charge of the whole destiny of the FrazerNash car, his experience of the make from its earliest days, through all its changing fortunes, will be immensely valuable to owners, and should en
sure its steady success. . His keennEss is one of the firm’s greatest assets, and one only has to. suggest that one’s car (of some other make) would show him its dust, to be more or less hauled out and made to try and justify the words ; and
many other drivers will bear witness that taking on Mr. Aldington in any Frazer-Nash is liable to give one a bit of a surprise in the matter of what can be done with 1,500 c.c., when it is properly used !
The secret of Frazer-Nash performance (if it is a secret) is a high power-weight ratio, and the latest models carry on the tradition. In addition, however, they show huge improvement in detail refinements over anything the firm have ever done before. Modifications of materials in the chassis, and equipment of both chassis and body, have put the finishing touches to what was always an exhilarating motor car. A short run in one of the latest O.H.V. engined models (which sells with fabric 3-4 seater body and a very full equipment for £425) gave
us a very pleasant surprise. Plenty of previous Frazer-Nash’s had made us familiar with their performance and handling on the road,. which have to be experienced to be fully realised, but the great surprise was the amazing silence. Not a sound from the transmission, or from any part of the chassis, and of course on this job the lower gears are as silent as top, all being direct. With all due respect to the acknowledged peo forznance of the older Nashs, they were not entirely free from mechanical • noises, and now that this has been dealt with, a very remarkable vehicle
has resulted. Another point which Mr. Aldington has dealt with is the proper standardisation of all parts, and the equipment of the works with a complete outfit of jigs, to enable a a steady production to be maintained, which will abolish the older system of making to order. This was all very well when hand-made single chassis were the order of the day, but is obviously useless in supplying a real sports car at a reasonable price, and the new Frazer-Nash works at London Road, Isleworth, will go a long way towards meeting the demand.