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Lea Francis Lynx - shrill and unsuccessful

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Created on August 2, 2020

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Lea Francis Owner's Club / Werk

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Lea Francis Owner's Club / Werk

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - illustration on the sales prospectus

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - unusual design

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - Advertising before the launch at the 1960 London Motor Show

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - at the presentation at the 1960 London Motor Show

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - Launched at the Earls Court Motor Show 1960

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - London Motor Show 1960

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Lea Francis Lynx (1960) - View into the cockpit

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Summary

Lea Francis had built around 10,000 cars by 1954. In 1960, the company ventured a new start and presented the Lea Francis Lynx at the London Motor Show. What had begun as a promising project under enormous time pressure ended in great disappointment. No order, critical feedback. Despite good facilities, only three cars were built. This report looks back to 1960 and tells the story of the Lea Francis Lynx, illustrated with historical images and the sales brochure from the time.

This article contains the following chapters

Development under time pressure
Anticipation
Reference to reality
Comic design?
Not a single order
Improvements without a happy ending

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In 1954, the traditional car manufacturer Lea Francis sold its last passenger car in order to concentrate entirely on contract manufacturing and military orders. However, these turned out to be less profitable than hoped and were phased out towards the end of the 1950s. A rethink was now required, especially as the accounts closed with a large loss in 1958 and 1959. Kenneth Benfield took over the management of Lea Francis in March 1960 when he realized that he was the largest shareholder. The previous Board of Directors had resigned and it was now up to Benfield to shape the future of Lea Francis. It was clear to him that, as a vehicle manufacturer, they had to build cars and be present at the London Motor Show. So he asked for a new model and gave his engineers around six months to develop it so that it would be ready in time for the London Motor Show in October.

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