1950 Lea Francis Four Light

Delivered on the 8th June 1950 to a Mr. K. Suttil, ‘532 UXJ’ is one of the last Lea-Francis Four Light cars to have been built. He was clearly smitten by his new car because it stayed in his hands well into the 1980s, receiving a replacement engine in 1956.

Little is known about the second owner but the third was a German car collector called Rudi Scherzinger.

The famous TV doctor Dr Hilary Jones bought it from Mr Scherzinger in 1997, and kept for the next nine years.

It then moved to an Estonian motor museum where it was on display for many years before moving into the seller's hands eighteen months ago via a Dutch auction house.

Wonderfully, he’d come close to buying a Four Light when he was 20 years old but ultimately couldn’t afford it, so buying this one enabled him to achieve his lifelong dream almost 60 years later.

Finished in black with a brown leather interior, he wasted no time in commissioning Brewster Mudie Ltd, the Coventry-based Lea-Francis specialist and parts supplier, to carry out “extensive mechanical work” in September 2023, the nigh-on £4,500 bill leaving it in the fine condition you see here.

Now faced with nowhere to keep it, he’s been forced to offer it for sale. However, at least he can look back now with the satisfaction that he finally made his dream come true – and does this reluctant sale mean you could now do the same? 

Black’s a notoriously tough colour to pull off but, while grey and maroon were also offered by the factory, something like the Four Light just wouldn’t look right in anything else, would it?

Built by A.P.M. Ltd of Stoke Row in Coventry, who also built bodies for Alvis, the gold pinstripes serve to underline just how straight the flanks of the car are; with no dents, dinks, or other damage including any visible rust, you can see why this one was chosen to be a museum piece.

The chromework is good and straight too, and if it is a little pitted in places – although we think a good polish would probably minimise this - what’s left could be chalked up to a developing patina and ignored.

The 17-inch steel wheels feature chrome hubcaps, a combination that’s befittingly understated and yet suitably regal. The wheels are fitted with 5.25/5.50-17 crossply tyres, all of which might have good tread left on them but all of which are perished and need replacing.

The huge headlamps and central driving light are in good shape, as are the rest of the lamp lenses.

As for the work you might to consider to take it to the next level, the rubber windscreen seal is perished, as are the ones for the fuel filler, rear screen, and rear reflectors. 

The paintwork is in a very good condition overall but there are some marks to the nearside edge of the rear screen. It’s not a huge issue but you might like to consider taking care of that when the glass is out for the replacement rubber seal.

The leather interior is lightly creased but what little wear it shows adds, rather than detracts, from the car’s appeal; soft and supple, the leather seats reek of a gentler time when people dressed for dinner, wore black tie to the theatre, and cars needed enough headroom for hats to be worn.

And the leather is extensive, extending to the door cards and armrests. As you can see, it’s not the original but is now old enough to have started to develop some character. In a lovely condition, it shouldn’t need anything more than regular cleaning and feeding for a good while yet. 

The carpet is in great shape too, and, like the seats and headlining, looks to have been restored. Both are in great shape.

Those sitting on the rear seat can be protected from the sun by deploying the rear roller-screen that’s fitted to the parcel shelf. Operated by a cord, it can be unfurled remotely, which is a neat trick.

Other period fittings include a long, cranked gearlever topped with a Bakelite knob, a suitably vintage-sized steering wheel, ivory-faced Jaeger instruments, separate ashtrays for those in the front, and individual reading lights for those behind.

Not forgetting the vast expanse of wood that covers the entire dashboard and continues as door cappings and pillar trim. Showing some age, it’s nonetheless easily still good enough to be maintained rather than restored. 

It’s the same story with the steering wheel and controls; full of charm, the modest wear they show has been left intact: taken in conjunction with the work that’s been carried out on the seats, carpet, and headlining, we think a successful balance has been struck between curation and restoration. 

The details of the recommissioning work Brewster Mundie carried out in September 2023 are shown on the attached invoices but, in short, it went through the car from stem to stern addressing the sort of issues you’d expect to have to deal with after twenty years of static display: freeing off and honing the brake system and reassembling with new seals; replacing fuel hoses; making an exhaust system; removing the cylinder head and refurbishing it; servicing the engine, including the ignition system; and cleaning the carburettor.

The work including measuring the engine compression, which was 150psi across all four cylinders. As the video demonstrates, it starts, idles, and revs well – and does it all with good oil pressure and all the right noises.

The centrally hinged bonnet gives unparalleled access to the engine and ancillaries, and while some of you out there might like to clean and detail the engine, most will be content to wipe an oily rag over it from time to time and focus their efforts on keeping on top of the servicing. 

As for the underside, it looks strong and well cared for but then the mechanical components did receive an awful lot of attention from Brewster Mundie only last year, which bodes well.

As for work to do, we aren’t sure about the modern fuse that’s been fitted to one circuit but apart from that we can’t see anything for your To Do list.

The history file contains old invoices, instruction and repair manuals, and proof that all the relevant duties were paid when it was reimported in 2023. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear but the Lea Francis doesn’t have a current MoT certificate.

While it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

With a guide price of between £7,000 and £12,000, we think this Lea-Francis Four Light offers an awful lot of car for the money.

Known as the ‘bank managers’ car’ when it was new thanks to its up-market features and high-end engineering, its simplicity and quality make it the ideal candidate for the classic car enthusiast who fancies something they can enjoy and maintain themselves – but , if that’s not you then there are plenty of folk out there like Brewster Mudie who will look after it for you.

Freshly fettled and seemingly very solid, the seller has sufficient faith in his car to offer it with no reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.