1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 335 Sunroof Saloon
Registration no. KMT 772
Chassis no. 100021
•First owned by the Aldington family (AFN)
•The only right-hand drive example ever made
•Known ownership history
•Present ownership since 2011
•Restored over the last 10 years
Footnotes:
Owned from new in 1939 by the Aldington family (of AFN, the BMW importers), this is the only Frazer Nash-BMW 335 ever built with right-hand drive. ('KMT 772'is believed to be Mrs Ruby Aldington's 'shopping car'.) The timing of the 335's production start-up in 1939 was unfortunate to say the least. Only one car was made in right-hand drive, while existing left-hand drive factory stock was confiscated by the Nazis. A 335 with right-hand drive was shown at the London Motor Show in 1938, but although there is evidence to suggest it was this car, there is no definite proof. In total around 410 cars were built and the model was not revived post-war.

In 1947 the rear axle differential casing cracked and was replaced with a new unit. That same year the original 3.5-litre engine and gearbox was removed and replaced with a 2.5-litre engine and ZF gearbox from a 327/80 that had been 'liberated' from the remains of the BMW factory. This work was carried out by N E Ledger, General Manager of AFN Ltd. The 2.5-litre engine was said to be a prototype (Type 217) that was not put into production (source: John Giles).
Circa 1953 the car was sold to a Mr Cundy, a Saville Row tailor, who kept it until circa 1957 (see letter dated 15th November 1989, written by Angus H Cundy, his son). The vendors had met Angus in October 2011 and in conversation realised who he was. They went to see him and his wife at their home the following day. Angus thought the car had been Elephant Grey, but vaguely remembered that it might have previously been blue before being re-sprayed by his father and uncle.

'KMT 772' was subsequently sold to Paul Foulkes-Halbard, the Veteran car enthusiast and historian/curator of Donald and Malcolm Campbell memorabilia. The car was next sold to a Mr Appleby, a solicitor or accountant in Jersey. He sent it to a company in Wales where it was stripped completely and blasted for body repairs to the door bottoms and right side of the engine compartment.

The car was in pieces and had been stored for some time when sold to the vendor in September 2011 (the deal was handled by Mr Appleby's son-in-law, David Trott). Restoration commenced with the body being acid dipped by SPL in December 2012. This process removes all traces of rust including any inside cavities. The body was then repaired and all panels aligned before being returning to SPL to be phosphoretically primed. It was then rebuilt and fully painted in two-tone black and blue to match the original colour scheme.

At this stage the roof was also prepared for a full-length fabric sunroof and new headlining, not finally fitted until 2020. The seats and door panels were completely re-upholstered using the original remains as templates, matching the blue leather to the original. The seat frame top rails were also re-chromed.

As the car was reassembled, the steering and shock absorbers were rebuilt, hub bearings replaced and the front springs fitted with leather gaiters. All wiring was replaced with original-style cables and the harness was cotton covered. The steering lock and ignition switch was overhauled and new keys and relays were incorporated, including keys for the door handle, petrol cap cover and bonnet locks. The brake master cylinder was overhauled and all new wheel-cylinder rubbers, brake pipes and brake hoses fitted. Headlamp parts, sidelights and rear lights were replaced and correct pattern German trafficators fitted with relays to enable the trafficators to light while the indicators flash. The bumpers were refurbished and re-chromed by Derby Plating, together with the exterior door handles and new hubcaps.

In July 2020 the car was taken to The Trimming Centre in Lewes to have the Tudor Webasto fabric sunroof fitted. The heavy-duty battery was replaced in 2021 with one of period-correct style. Finally, new carpet was fitted throughout. A couple of minor issues still need to be addressed. There should be two alloy finishers on the spare wheel cover; some un-restored finishers are available but they would need work to fit. There are no weather strips around the doors; some parts are available but again they would need work to prepare and fit.