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LOT 210 *N

1952 Frazer Nash Mille Miglia Sports Roadster Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. 421/100/168 Engine no. FNS1/34 (See Text)

Estimate: £400,000 - £450,000
Lot 210*,N

The 1952 Turin Motor Show
1952 Frazer Nash Mille Miglia Sports Roadster

1952 Frazer Nash Mille Miglia Sports Roadster
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. 421/100/168
Engine no. FNS1/34 (See Text)

• One of only 11 examples of the Mille Miglia built
• Delivered new to the USA
• Present ownership for the last 48 years
• Fully restored in 2005 by Leitch Motorsport & Restoration in New Zealand
• Eligible for the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival, Monaco Grand Prix Historique, etc.

"All Frazer Nash models are now built on the same chassis frame... The sleek and low-built Mille Miglia... has the competition version of the 85C Bristol engine, giving up to 125bhp... In this model the spare wheel is carried in the front wing and the fuel tank is immediately behind the seats leaving considerable space in the tail for luggage..." - The Autocar, October 19, 1951.

This exquisitely attractive Frazer Nash Mille Miglia was completed on 8th April 1952 and is one of only 11 such 'sleek and low-built' models produced by AFN Ltd at their Falcon Works in Isleworth, West London between September 1951 and March 1953. Chassis '421/100/168' ('FN168') is the last '100-series' Frazer Nash produced and the final Mark 1 Mille Miglia completed. This particular car was shipped to the 1952 Turin Motor Show where it was exhibited alongside the latest models from Italy's finest coachbuilders.

On 30th June 1952 the Mille Miglia was sold to J Stuart 'Duke' Donaldson, a Frazer Nash exponent living on the USA's East Coast. Mr Donaldson kept the Mille Miglia for a little under three years before selling it to Perry Boswell of Boca Raton, Florida. Mr Boswell went on to swap the Frazer Nash with his friend, Jerome Saubers, exchanging it for the latter's Sebring-winning Le Mans Replica. A USAF pilot, Saubers was posted to Hawaii and took the Mille Miglia with him before selling it to Robert Scott via Motor Imports of Honolulu in 1957. By 1975, 'FN168' had been warehouse-stored for many years following an accident that damaged the front nearside corner. The Bristol engine was complete with its original cylinder head stamped 'FNS1/34', but with an unstamped cylinder block.

Our vendor had remained in Hawaii after being transferred there in 1969 by the US Marine Corps, and in 1975 was attending the University of Hawaii on the 'GI Bill' programme. Together with two other 'shareholders', he became the proud owner of this Mille Miglia in December 1975, having purchased it in Honolulu. He later assumed full ownership, and the car was titled and registered in his name with the City & County of Honolulu. Disassembly for restoration began in 1978. By 1985 the owner had moved to California but significant progress would not commence until 1999. Restoration of the chassis and body was completed in Arizona in 2004.

Deciding that the forthcoming Frazer Nash Club's tour of New Zealand in 2005 was the ideal event to aim for completion, our vendor shipped the car to Leitch Motorsport & Restoration in Invercargill, New Zealand in 2004. Leitch carried out a complete mechanical rebuild and returned the Mille Miglia to its original colour combination of Bristol Maroon with grey leather interior. The restoration was completed in February 2005 and the tour successfully completed. Since then, the Frazer Nash has been registered in New Zealand where it was driven annually until 2021. Returned to the UK, it has benefited from various remedial works carried out by marque specialists Blakeney Motorsport in 2022 and presents as a mellowed older restoration. Described by our vendor as in excellent condition, the car comes with sundry invoices and its old City & County of Honolulu title.

Frazer Nash's Mille Miglia was powered by a 2.0-litre Bristol six-cylinder engine derived from the superb pre-war BMW 328. With this engine installed in such a nimble-handling chassis, and clothed in such handsome bodywork, the Mille Miglia is great fun and an enormously impressive early-1950s sports car, both on the open road and in suitable circuit racing and rally competition. Indeed, 'FN168' could be enjoyed on road tours or race-prepared to compete in any of the major events for which it qualifies, including the Monaco Grand Prix Historique, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival and, of course, the Mille Miglia.

Please note this Lot entered the UK on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the Lot outside of the UK on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation, or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties if the vehicle is to remain in the UK.

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*Import low rate
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
NNOVA declaration
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

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