1939 BMW 328 Roadster
- Engine
- 1,971cc inline-six with hemispherical combustion chambers, single block-mounted camshaft with twin rocker shafts, approximately 80 bhp
Chassis 85411 is a right-hand-drive 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Roadster imported to the UK by AFN Ltd but impounded by HM Customs until 1946, when it was bodied by the works. Its early custodians included Edwin Redwood, Tony Mitchell, and Ken Whimster before passing to Alastair Pugh — Captain and Patron of the Frazer Nash Car Club — in 1988. Under his stewardship the car was extensively campaigned in VSCC, FNCC, and continental events, including the Le Mans Legends Race in 2005 and 2006, and underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2018.
Ownership
- 2019-12-07Auction saleSold £617,500 (≈ $772K)
- 1946 →Factory deliveryEdwin Redwoodpartial documentation
First registered owner, with known connections to the Aldington Brothers at AFN. The chassis had been held by customs from 1939 and bodied by AFN after release in 1946.
- → 1976Acquisition unknownTony Mitchellpartial documentation
Recovered the car from Ireland and later sold it on in 1976.
- 1976 → 1988Private saleKen Whimsterpartial documentation
Former archivist of the BMW Historic Section; purchased directly from Tony Mitchell.
- 1988 → 2019Private saleAlastair Pughfull documentation
Captain and Patron of the Frazer Nash Car Club; campaigned the car extensively over three decades, initiated a major 2018 restoration of bodywork and engine, and accumulated detailed records including invoices, race logs, and dynamometer results.
- Date unknownIrish owner(s)none documentation
Car spent an unspecified period in Ireland before being retrieved by Tony Mitchell.
Competition
- 1996VSCCVSCC Pomeroy TrophyDriver: Alastair Pugh
Car was involved in a significant accident during this event at Silverstone, necessitating a full rebuild afterwards.
- 2005Le Mans Legends RaceDriver: Alastair Pugh
Annual support race held immediately before the Le Mans 24 Hours on the Sarthe circuit.
- 2006Le Mans Legends RaceDriver: Alastair Pugh
Second consecutive appearance in the pre-24-Hours support race at Le Mans.
- 2017BMW HM Club RallyDriver: Alastair Pugh
- 2018Rallye d'AlsaceDriver: Alastair Pugh
- —Goodwood RevivalDriver: Alastair PughFastest pre-war car in the Lavant Cup
Car achieved the top pre-war time in the Lavant Cup at an unspecified Goodwood Revival.
- —Goodwood Members MeetingDriver: Alastair Pugh4th overall
- —Frazer Nash Car ClubFNCC Alpine TrialsDriver: Alastair Pugh
- —Frazer Nash Car ClubFNCC 1000 Miles in 24 HoursDriver: Alastair Pugh
Maintenance & restoration
- 1996RepairMichael Jarrett
Substantial rebuild following a serious accident at the VSCC Pomeroy Trophy at Silverstone; work carried out primarily by Michael Jarrett.
- 2018BodyworkMitchell Motors
Extensive restoration of the coachwork and full respray carried out to a high standard.
Detailed invoices on file; total spend across 2018 works exceeded £31,000.
- 2018Engine rebuildIN Racing Ltd
Complete overhaul of the six-cylinder engine.
Engine performance subsequently verified on a rolling-road dynamometer.
- 2018InspectionHi Tech Motorsport
Car set up and tested on a rolling-road dynamometer following completion of engine and bodywork work.
Dynamometer printouts included in the car's documentation file.
- —Modification
Twin-leading-shoe front brakes fitted, half-height windscreen installed, spare wheel-well cover added, and a Bristol gearbox substituted for racing use; original Hurth gearbox retained and accompanies the car.
Work described as completed in the early 2000s; exact year not specified.
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