1939 BMW 328 (Frazer Nash-BMW, Leacroft coachwork)
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-six with redesigned hemispherical cylinder head, single lateral camshaft, centrally mounted spark plugs
Chassis 85427 is a BMW 328 imported to Britain in 1939 by the Aldington Brothers under the Frazer Nash name, impounded during the war, and subsequently fitted with a bespoke aeronautical-themed body by Leacroft of Egham for RAF Spitfire pilot and Frazer Nash works driver Richard 'Dickie' Stoop. The car was campaigned at the 1949 Spa 24 Hours, finishing 6th in class and 12th overall. It later entered the Swiss Rosso Bianco Collection, where it was restored, before passing to the Louwman Museum and then into private hands.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$825,000
- 1939 → 1946Factory deliveryAldington Brothers (Frazer Nash)partial documentation
Six chassis imported to England in late 1939; all were seized and held by customs authorities at the outbreak of war, remaining in storage until 1946.
- 1946 → 1952Private saleDickie Stoopfull documentation
Former RAF Spitfire pilot and Frazer Nash works driver who had Leacroft of Egham build a custom aeronautical-themed body for the car; ownership confirmed by the Frazer Nash Archives.
- 1952 →Private saleAFN Limitedpartial documentation
Stoop sold the car back to AFN in exchange for a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia model; the car's whereabouts after this point are unaccounted for until 1988.
- 1988 → 2006Private saleRosso Bianco Collectionpartial documentation
Swiss collection that acquired the car when it reappeared for sale; a restoration was carried out during this period, with the car kept primarily for display.
- 2006 →Private saleLouwman Museumpartial documentation
The broader Rosso Bianco Collection was sold to the Louwman Museum in 2006, though this car was subsequently sold out of that holding into its present ownership shortly after.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Present custodian who exhibited the car at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
Competition
- 19491949 Spa 24 HoursDriver: Dickie Stoop6th in class, 12th overall
Run at Circuit National de Spa-Francorchamps; Stoop co-drove with Peter Wilson.
- 20152015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Car exhibited under its current ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1946BodyworkLeacroft of Egham
A bespoke streamlined body with aeronautical styling cues — including aircraft-style bonnet fasteners and a flush fuel filler — was fabricated to Stoop's personal specification.
The cockpit dimensions were tailored to Stoop's build.
- —Restoration
A restoration was carried out while the car was held by the Rosso Bianco Collection, during the period 1988–2006.
The car was subsequently kept as a display piece within the collection.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.