Rare Car Archive

Makes › Frazer Nash United Kingdom › Le Mans › Le Mans Coupé · Rare production · 1953–1955 Ultra Rare

Frazer Nash
Le Mans Coupé

Closed coupé; class win (13th overall) at Le Mans 1953; three of the nine were raced at Le Mans

Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé (Wikimedia Commons: Frazer Nash Le Mans coupé)
Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé (Wikimedia Commons: Frazer Nash Le Mans coupé)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
9BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
9 Built
Years
1953–1955
Engine
Straight six, front, longitudinal (Bristol, BMW-derived) · 1,971 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,971 cc
Power
104 kW / 142 PSFactory: 140 hp · converted
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Le Mans Coupe was the first closed Frazer Nash to enter production and the firm's first fixed-head model. It appeared when a regulation change made full-width bodies mandatory for most major races from 1953, and it took its name from the success of the prototype at Le Mans that year.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityUltra Rare 9 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionLe Mans Coupés produced 1953–1955 91 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The Coupe followed the open Targa Florio and used the tubular-frame chassis introduced on the Mk2 Le Mans Replica a year earlier, with the independent front suspension and torsion-bar rear suspension carried over. The engine was a 140 bhp version of the BMW-derived six. According to the Frazer Nash archives, one prototype and eight production cars were built between April 1953 and October 1956.

Three of the nine raced at Le Mans, the most successful being chassis 186, which finished 13th overall and first in class in 1953 and 11th overall in 1954. Denis Jenkinson noted that most production Coupes were used as everyday touring cars. In 1954 an open car on the same basic design, the Sebring, was added, with only three built.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Le Mans Coupé.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine manufacturerBristol2 Independently researched
Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutStraight six, front, longitudinal (Bristol, BMW-derived)3,2 Independently researched
Cylinders63 Independently researched
Displacement 1,971 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,971 cc3 Independently researched
Bore 66 mmFactory: 66 mm3 Independently researched
Stroke 96 mmFactory: 96 mm3 Independently researched
Compression ratio9.5:13 Independently researched
Valvetrain2 valves per cylinder, OHV3 Independently researched
Fuel systemThree Solex carburettors3 Independently researched
InductionNaturally aspirated3 Independently researched
Power 104 kW / 142 PSFactory: 140 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power at 5,500 rpm3 Independently researched
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox4-speed manual3 Independently researched
Gears43 Independently researched
Driven wheelsRear3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisSteel tubular (parallel-tube) frame3,2 Independently researched
Front suspensionIndependent: lower wishbones, transverse leaf spring, tubular shock absorbers3 Independently researched
Rear suspensionLive axle, torsion bar springs, tubular shock absorbers3 Independently researched
BrakesHydraulic drums all round (twin-leading-shoe)3,2 Independently researched
SteeringRack and pinion2 Independently researched
Body constructionFull-width aluminium alloy body, fixed head4 Independently researched
MaterialsAluminium3 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,438 mmFactory: 2,438 mm3 Independently researched
Length 4,039 mmFactory: 4,039 mm3 Independently researched
Width 1,575 mmFactory: 1,575 mm3 Independently researched
HeightNot yet verified
Front track 1,359 mmFactory: 1,359 mm3 Independently researched
Rear track 1,359 mmFactory: 1,359 mm3 Independently researched
Kerb weight 760 kgFactory: 760 kg3 Independently researchedSource does not state dry or kerb basis.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Ultimatecarpage – Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupe Level C
    • 9 Le Mans Coupés produced 1953–1955
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    1955 Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupe (Lot 8, Bond Street Motor Car Sale) Level C Bonhams · 2015-12-06
    • the 1,971cc six-cylinder Bristol
    • 1,971cc six-cylinder Bristol
    • new parallel-tube chassis frame
    • twin-leading-shoe brakes
    • rack-and-pinion steering
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupe - Specifications Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2015-03-20
    • BMW Straight 6; front, longitudinally mounted (Specifications)
    • BMW Straight 6 (Specifications)
    • 1,971 cc / 120.3 cu in (Specifications)
    • 66.0 mm / 96.0 mm (Specifications)
    • Compression 9.5:1 (Specifications)
    • 2 valves / cylinder, OHV (Specifications)
    • 3 Solex Carburettors (Specifications)
    • Naturally Aspirated (Specifications)
    • 140 bhp / 104 kW @ 5,500 rpm (Specifications)
    • @ 5,500 rpm (Specifications)
    • 4 speed Manual (Specifications)
    • Rear wheel drive (Specifications)
    • steel tubular frame (Specifications)
    • lower wishbones, transverse leaf spring, tubular shock absorbers (Specifications)
    • live axle, torsion bar springs, tubular shock absorbers (Specifications)
    • hydraulic drums, all-round (Specifications)
    • Body aluminium (Specifications)
    • 2,438 mm (96 in) (Specifications)
    • 4,039 mm (159 in) (Specifications)
    • 1,575 mm (62 in) (Specifications)
    • 1,359 mm (53.5 in) (Specifications)
    • Weight 760 kilo / 1,676 lbs (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  4. 4
    Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com · 2015-03-20
    • lightweight aluminium alloy
    Accessed 2026-11-13

Keep exploring

More from Frazer Nash

See all 11 cars by Frazer Nash →

United Kingdom More from United Kingdom

134 other makes from United KingdomACAiredaleAlan Mann RacingAllardAlvisArabArashArielArmstrong SiddeleyArrowsAscariAston MartinAtalantaAtlantisAustinAustin-HealeyBedfordBentleyBerkeleyBluebirdBMCBondBrabhamBristolBritish LeylandBroadspeedBrookeBrough SuperiorCampbell-RailtonCaparoCaterhamChevronConnaughtCooperCrayfordDaimlerDavid BrownDawsonDeLoreanDuttonAll makes →