Lea-Francis

Spotted this nice Lea Francis car in a museum in Bedfordshire.

I wondered whether this photogaph was taken in Coventry because there's a car on the right with I am sure, FDU? Lea Francis

Two photos from Broughton Castle yesterday : 1920 500cc Motor Cycle and a Gents Bicycle from c.1910

A selection of photographs from the Lea-Francis Owners' Club Diamond Jubilee Rally last week end at Broughton Castle can be seen here

Remains of the Lea-Francis factory entrance in Lower Ford Street

The original, elaborate wrought iron gates belong to an acquaintance of mine and stand outside his house in Pailton.

Is that the original factory entrance Red? I thought the works was further down on the other side?

Francis Barnett was on that side of the road, as in MR photo. The only trouble is, that there used to be an old builders yard and a newsagent in between that pillar and the factory. The only thing I can think of is that where the gates are could have been a rear acess for Franny Barnett but not totally sure. The alleyway next to the old houses I used a lot, the memory fades a bit. I only lived across the road. I am sure the Dutchman could come up with an old map of the area. Sorry got the gist wrong, the factory moved in 1937 to Much Park St. That is why I do not remember it. Edited by member, 20th Jun 2014 12:44 pm

My photo is slightly misleading, in that the gates to the factory were actually to the right of the pillar I will have to revisit and rephoto as per this info

Hi Midland Red, It is still a nice photo of what we have now as a reminder of a one time great piece of engineering that was Coventry. I like it very much, thank you.

I could not rest on this one! Where the gates are now was part of the alleyway, at the bottom, in the corner, was a pile of army great coats dumped. When I needed money I would cut off some of the ribbons and sell them, very lucrative for a seven year old. There must have been a corresponding pillar for the other gate and it would have been somewhere to the right of this was a builders yard, which is marked on a map I found also the newsagent. Then the Francis Barnett factory. Now, could I ask a question? Was the Lea Francis factory around the back, was the "franny" factory originally part of it? Also did the factory back up to Cox St.? I ask that because a lot of that was bombed out. Also there seems to have been an old telephone works around the back as well? I found a pretty good picture on Britain from above, funnily enough there was no urinal but the police box was there.

Have a look on Old Maps Ignore the "Search" box and enter coordinates "434048" and "279161" Then look at the 1914 map - that shows the Lea Francis factory You can also look at maps from other years

What year did it go to Little Park Street? I worked there in 1958, where we made and asssembled go karts and bomb trolleys.

I assume you mean Much Park Street? Car production began in Much Park Street in 1937 and ended in 1954. In reality it was a totally new company using an old name. Had car production resumed in 1960 it was unlikely to continue in Much Park Street as the street was already earmarked for demolition by the council.