A Unique Rarity of British Automotive History – The 1946 Lea-Francis 14 HP Sports Cowell Special

Few British automobile manufacturers combined technical sophistication, exceptional craftsmanship and sporting heritage as convincingly as Lea-Francis. Founded in Coventry in 1895, the company established itself during the 1920s and 1930s as a respected producer of high-quality motor cars and successful competition machines. Following the Second World War, Lea-Francis was among the first British manufacturers to resume production, continuing the proud traditions it had established before the conflict. The 14 HP model provided the technical foundation for some of Britain's most exclusive sports cars of the immediate post-war era.

Occupying a truly special place within the marque's history is the Lea-Francis 14 HP Sports Cowell Special. This remarkable automobile was built on a shortened 14 HP chassis and developed by Cowell & Watson as the prototype for a planned limited-production series. Its elegant bodywork was designed by the young Denis Jenkinson, who only a few years later would make motorsport history as Stirling Moss's navigator during their legendary victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia. The proposed production programme never materialised, however. As far as we know, only one example and a second chassis were ever built, making the Cowell Special one of the rarest British sports cars of the post-war era.

Beneath its long bonnet lies Lea-Francis' characteristic 1,767 cc inline four-cylinder engine. Even by the standards of the late 1940s, its design was considered highly advanced, earning praise for its smoothness, flexibility and reliability. In Cowell Special specification, the engine produces approximately 90 horsepower, giving the roadster—whose weight is just around 900 kilograms—remarkably spirited performance. Contemporary reports quoted a top speed of up to 170 km/h, an extraordinary figure for a British sports car in the years immediately following the Second World War.

Yet despite its competition-inspired character, this post-war racing machine is also a remarkably refined grand touring car. The fact that neither first nor second gear is synchronised is of little consequence, as the twin-overhead-camshaft engine is so flexible that the car is driven in fourth gear most of the time. Behind the wheel, the experience is as pure, direct and engaging as one could possibly imagine.

What we are presenting here is a true one-off. The Lea-Francis has had only eight owners since new, with the current custodian acquiring the car in Switzerland in 2013. A previous restoration carried out in Italy had revealed significant shortcomings, prompting the owner to commission a complete restoration of this unique automobile. After more than 4,000 hours of painstaking work, the car now presents in truly outstanding condition. Three comprehensive binders document not only the fascinating history of this unique motor car, but also the extraordinary passion and dedication invested in its restoration. The owner, himself a former racing driver, spared neither expense nor effort. The meticulous tuning of the carburettors alone took an entire year to perfect. As a result, this road-legal racing car performs superbly today, while a discreetly installed lambda sensor allows the driver to monitor the engine's air-fuel mixture at all times, ensuring optimum running conditions.

The sale includes an extensive history file comprising period documentation, invoices and the original Lea-Francis owner's handbook. Particularly noteworthy are the accompanying FIVA Identity Card and Swiss Veteran Vehicle registration, both of which further confirm the car's authenticity and exceptional historical significance. Thanks to its comprehensively documented provenance and outstanding state of preservation, this Cowell Special represents a collector's motor car of the very highest calibre.

Its fascinating history, technical individuality and extraordinary rarity make it a truly unique automobile of international collector significance. Combined with its exceptional condition, comprehensive documentation and accompanying FIVA Identity Card, this remarkable motor car presents a rare opportunity to acquire an almost irreplaceable piece of British automotive history.

Needless to say, the Lea-Francis holds Swiss Veteran Vehicle certification. There should be no obstacle to its next inspection in two years' time, as our thorough workshop inspection identified no defects whatsoever apart from a slight oil seepage from the engine.