Journey to Le Mans in France for the 24hours

An upright Prefect travels to Le Mans in 1950

Thanks to David Kiss, who sent in these photographs of an upright Ford Prefect en route to France, to spectate at the 24 Hour race at Le Mans in 1950 (June 24th/25th). He found these great old Ford photos in a dusty album - does anyone recognise this perpendicular Ford? the DVLA website shows no sign of a Ford registered KXN 858 in their system, so chances are the car has been scrapped, or left in a garage to moulder, either unregistered or (shudder) re-registered following the sale of its number.
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Well-laden Prefect journeys south
The first photo shows the well laden Prefect still in blighty (driving on the left still!), a hefty selection of luggage strapped onto the nice curvy roof rack. Close inspection reveals a tasty trio of enamel badges fitted to the front bumper. Is that an aftermarket radio aerial fitted to the passenger side scuttle? A large fog lamp provides illumination of the kerbs should the London smog of the 50s be encountered - still 6v or upgraded to 12v I wonder?? The exact location isn't known but its a safe bet that the ports, perhaps in Dover, are not too far away...

Ford Prefect

Up up and away - the Prefect gets airborne..
Perhaps wisely the assorted arrangement of suitcases have been removed from the roof rack and (probably) stored inside the car, as it gets winched up by crane into the ferry. Or did they just blow away!? A brisk wind could make this a worrying procedure for the poor soul charged with lifting passengers' vehicles from the quayside and onto the deck of the ship.

Ford gets lifted onto the ferry

At rest outside the Restaurant des Hunaudieres at Le Mans
A well-known haunt for a swift cup of coffee, the Restaurant des Hunaudieres and Hotel de L'Hippodrome are sited on a section of the Le Mans 24hr course. A pair of competing machines are parked up outside the restaurant in this great picture, with the faithful Prefect cowering behind.

Frazer Nash Mille Miglia and High Speed LMR

Frazer Nash Mille Miglia and High Speed LMR

Car No. 30 is the Frazer-Nash Mille Miglia entered by H.J. Aldington, and driven by fellow Brits T.A.S.O. "Donald" Mathieson and Richard "Dickie" Stoop. This car finished 9th. Car 31, registered TMX 545, was a Frazer-Nash High Speed LMR, entered and driven by Norman .R. Culpan, co-driven by Lt. Cdr. Peter Wilson. This car finished 20th.

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Old Classic Car (C) R. Jones 2023. Content not to be reproduced elsewhere.

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