1952 Connaught Type A (chassis A6)
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-four, aluminium construction (Lea-Francis derived)
Connaught Type A chassis A6, constructed in 1952 as a factory works entry, is a historically significant early-1950s Grand Prix car built to the 2.0-litre formula. It debuted at the 1952 British Grand Prix with Eric Thompson scoring World Championship points, then was entrusted to a young Stirling Moss at Monza. Subsequently acquired by Ecurie Ecosse, it contested around 30 races across two seasons driven by prominent figures including Jimmy and Ian Stewart, before later private ownership, a rebuild by Bob Burrell in 1989, and continued historic racing after a 2005 restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €308,750 (≈ $340K)
- 1952 →Factory deliveryConnaught Engineering (Works team)partial documentation
Constructed as a factory entry for the 1952 Grand Prix season; campaigned by the works squad in several races before passing to a privateer team.
- 1955 → 1956Acquisition unknownHolt brotherspartial documentation
Raced across UK circuits during 1955 and 1956, after which the car was placed in storage and withdrawn from competition.
- → 1989Acquisition unknownTwo unidentified subsequent ownersnone documentation
The car remained away from competition for roughly 33 years while passing through two anonymous custodians before its 1989 sale.
- 1989 →Private saleBob Burrellpartial documentation
Undertook a full rebuild and raced the car for approximately two seasons before placing it back in storage.
- 2005 →Private saleCurrent owner (consignor)partial documentation
Commissioned another restoration and maintained the car in good condition; used it in historic motorsport events including Goodwood Revival and Monaco Historique.
- Date unknownPrivate saleEcurie Ecossepartial documentation
Operated alongside the team's Jaguar C-Types at a variety of UK venues; believed to have entered roughly 30 events over approximately two seasons.
Competition
- 1952Formula 1 World Championship1952 British Grand PrixDriver: Eric Thompson5th overall
Debut outing for chassis A6; secured 2 championship points for the works squad.
- 1952-09-01Formula 1 World Championship1952 Italian Grand PrixDriver: Stirling MossDNF — retired while running 6th
Moss qualified 9th among 35 starters and drove strongly before being forced out after 60 laps completed.
- 1953Formula 1 World Championship1953 British Grand Prix
Entered as part of Ecurie Ecosse's programme; specific driver and finishing position not recorded in the prose.
- 1954Formula 1 World Championship1954 British Grand Prix
Entered as part of Ecurie Ecosse's programme; specific driver and finishing position not recorded in the prose.
- —Goodwood Revival (historic)
One of several track appearances made during the current owner's tenure, post-2005.
- —Monaco Historique Grand Prix
Competed at this historic event during the current owner's period of ownership, post-2005.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989Restoration
Bob Burrell carried out a rebuild of the car following its acquisition, returning it to racing condition for use over the following two seasons.
- 2005Restoration
A second full rebuild was undertaken after the current owner's purchase, with the car kept in good mechanical condition thereafter.
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