1952 Frazer Nash Targa Florio Mk 1
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-six, Bristol BS1 unit
- Colour
- 'Valentine San Remo Blue'
Chassis 412/200/175 is one of only 15 Frazer Nash Targa Florio models built, and among the lightest examples produced. Ordered by legendary American racing patron Briggs Cunningham in 1952 and displayed at that year's Earls Court Motor Show, it made the model's competition debut at the 1953 Sebring 12 Hours as part of Cunningham's multi-class assault. Subsequently raced in SCCA events by Charles Moran Jr., including the 1954 Watkins Glen GP, the car later passed through noted restorer Bill Roberts before entering the ownership of celebrated racer John Coombs. Restored to original specification after 2015, it retains matching-numbers chassis, engine, and body.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £400,000 – £500,000
- 1952 →Factory deliveryBriggs Cunninghamfull documentation
Ordered the car in summer 1952; allowed Frazer Nash to display it at the Earls Court Motor Show before shipment to his US preparer Alfred Momo. Car delivered in Valentine San Remo Blue with GT specification.
- 1953 → 1970Private saleCharles Moran Jr.partial documentation
Purchased the car from Cunningham after the 1953 Sebring race. Raced it in SCCA events through 1956, including at Westover, Cumberland, and Montgomery. Owned it until his death in 1970.
- 1970 →Acquisition unknownFirst post-Moran American ownernone documentation
One of two unidentified owners in the United States between Moran's death in 1970 and the car's return to England in 1986.
- → 1986Acquisition unknownSecond post-Moran American ownernone documentation
Second of two unidentified owners prior to the car being imported back to England.
- 1986 → 1995Private saleBill Robertspartial documentation
Respected Frazer Nash restorer who brought the car back to England and undertook a full restoration before selling it on.
- 1995 →Private saleDavid Hargreavespartial documentation
Purchased from Bill Roberts; eventual onward sale to John Coombs, though precise date of that transaction is not stated.
- → 2013Private saleJohn Coombspartial documentation
Noted racing figure who commissioned a second restoration including a complete rebuild of the original engine. Used the car regularly as a road vehicle, especially for trips to Goodwood, until his death in 2013.
- 2015 →Private saleGuy Harmanpartial documentation
Commissioned Nick Finburgh of Classic Autos to restore the car to period specification, including correct colour and single-windscreen configuration. Entered it in several historic events post-restoration.
Competition
- 19521952 Earls Court Motor Show
Car displayed as a favour to Cunningham before being shipped to the US; photographed for press coverage at the factory beforehand.
- 19531953 12 Hours of SebringDriver: John BennettDNF — loose wheel nuts
Co-driven by Charles Moran Jr.; was on track for a potential class win before mechanical issues caused by the rough airfield surface ended the challenge.
- 1954SCCA1954 SCCA race at WestoverDriver: Charles Moran Jr.7th in large-engine class
Finished behind several higher-powered cars including a Ferrari 375 MM, a 225 S, and various Jaguars.
- 19541954 Watkins Glen GPDriver: Charles Moran Jr.
Described as the most significant race of Moran's ownership period; the car shared the grid with leading American sports cars of the era.
- 2019La Leggenda Di Bassano 2019
- 20192019 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court
- —SCCASCCA races at CumberlandDriver: Charles Moran Jr.
Part of a series of SCCA appearances by Moran running through to 1956.
- —SCCASCCA races at MontgomeryDriver: Charles Moran Jr.
Additional SCCA racing by Moran, continuing through 1956.
- —Goodwood RevivalFreddie March Memorial Trophy, Goodwood Revival
Contested after the post-2015 restoration; specific year or years not given in the text.
- —Goodwood Members' MeetingGoodwood 77th Members' Meeting
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953Modification
Following the Sebring race, hubs were replaced to allow fitment of wire wheels in place of steel ones; wheel arches were subtly widened to accommodate the larger diameter.
Work carried out under Cunningham's preparation setup, likely via Alfred Momo.
- 1986RestorationBill Roberts
Restoration undertaken by Bill Roberts after the car was repatriated to England.
Roberts was a recognised specialist in Frazer Nash vehicles.
- 2015RestorationClassic Autos
Full restoration to period specification commissioned by Guy Harman, reinstating the correct Valentine San Remo Blue finish and original single-windscreen bodywork configuration.
Work directed by Nick Finburgh of Classic Autos.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration by John Coombs, incorporating a complete rebuild of the original BS1 engine.
Engine rebuild was part of a broader restoration programme commissioned by Coombs.
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