Lea-Francis 2.5 Sports Tourer – 1952

French historic registration title

Lea Francis was an English manufacturer (founded by Richard Lea and Graham Francis) that launched its own models as early as 1909.

Following a receivership in 1931, Lea-Francis re-emerged under new management in 1938, offering two models with overhead-valve, twin-camshaft engines. In 1949, the 2.5 Liter Sports was introduced, a powerful roadster capable of rivalling all its competitors of the day thanks to an excellent engine and a well-designed chassis.

Of the 85 examples produced, only 40 are still known and listed by specialists. The model presented here is a 2.5 Sports Tourer, chassis number 5288, which was exhibited at the 1951 Earls Court London Motor Show on the brand’s stand.

A wealth of documentation accompanies the car, and its history is traceable. The current collector acquired it in 2019 from an Alsatian enthusiast who kept it for a long time.

Before that, it was owned by a great Swedish connoiss...