RIP Frank Collins

[kartman24]

I am sorry to have to report the death of my father Frank Collins who was known to several members of this forum. He passed away peacefully in hospital on Wednesday after a battle with cancer and more latterly lung fibrosis bought on by the chemotherapy. Dad started competing with the Harrow Car Club in the mid 50s with a Frazer Nash BMW, taking part in rallies, autotests and races including the annual 8 clubs meeting at Silverstone. He moved on through various cars including a BMW 700, Jowett Jupiter, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Ford Anglia fitted with a Lotus Twin Cam, and an early Mallock U2. He won a few trophies over the years particularly in the Fairthorpe and the Anglia, he was one of the three original Fairthorpe `works` team drivers along with Peter Butt and John Green. In the 70s he bought the ex-Westune Racing Ford Anglia and fitted a twin cam engine that he bought from his old friend John Green, who by then was building the Daren Sportscars. The Anglia was used to good effect in sprints and race meetings, again he became a regular at the 8 clubs event which he loved. Frank has been the Vice President of the Fairthorpe Sports Car Club for many years, a post he was most honoured to hold. I was lucky to be able to find and purchase the Fairthorpe he built and raced - registered 789 ERO - some years ago and restore it so he was able to enjoy doing a few Classic car runs in his later years, taking his last drive in it on a beautiful sunny afternoon only four weeks ago.
..................Martin Collins

[myles1972]

Sorry to hear of your loss, good to hear he had a good drive so near to the end.

[LordBretSinclair]

Sounds like your dad lived a good life doing what he enjoyed, my condolences and carry on using the car to the full,
regards LBS

[BLUETHUNDER]

My sincere condolances fella. He looks like he enjoyed himself during his time. R.I.P

[kartman24]

Many thanks for your kind words, i have just scanned this picture and thought some of you might find it interesting. It was taken in the mid 50`s and dad is pictured with his Frazer Nash BMW, he px`d this for a BMW 700 which he raced several times. Unfortunatly the guy that bought the Frazer was killed in it when he collided with a bus on a rainy night............Martin

[markroger]

Good morning Martin,
I hope you find this response to your posting about your late fathers FN-BMW 319/55 sport CXD 820. This car is presently in active use in Essex. The present owner rebuilt the car some years ago having bought it from the late Edwin Lucas who lived near Royston. It is believed to have been found in a coalyard in a poor state.The BMW Car Club 1954 Membership list shows the car at that time being owned by F.C. Ellis,34 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, London W1.
I am the Technical Advisor to the BMW Historic Motor Club UK and owner of a similar car and would very much like to know what history /photographs you might have of the car and of course so would the present owner!

[Fire99]

markroger said:

Good morning Martin,
I hope you find this response to your posting about your late fathers FN-BMW 319/55 sport CXD 820. This car is presently in active use in Essex. The present owner rebuilt the car some years ago having bought it from the late Edwin Lucas who lived near Royston. It is believed to have been found in a coalyard in a poor state.The BMW Car Club 1954 Membership list shows the car at that time being owned by F.C. Ellis,34 Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, London W1.
I am the Technical Advisor to the BMW Historic Motor Club UK and owner of a similar car and would very much like to know what history /photographs you might have of the car and of course so would the present owner!

What a nice turn-up after very sad news. I hope Martin gets to read this..

[kartman24]

Many thanks for your posting re my Fathers FN, it is a bit difficult to make out the letters on the reg number, they could be CXD. I have spoken to my mother about the car and my father didn`t have it when they met which was late 1957, he had a Jowett Jupiter then. I am now sure the FN was px`d for the Jupiter not the BMW 700, i now know he had the 700 from 1962 as i have found pictures of him racing that which are dated on the back. My mother is going to ask his 2 sisters if they can put a year to his ownership of the car, but my best guess would be 56/57. My father was one of lifes great horders and i am sure more pictures/paperwork may yet turn up as i go through the large amout of stuff he had accumulated over the years. Here is the only other picture i currently have of the car, it was possibly taken at a hillclimb. I know he mentioned doing the Ditcham hillclimb many years ago but i don`t know which of his cars that was in, also Westbrook Hay hillclimb was quite close to where he lived so that is also possible. If this is indeed his car it is amazing that his Jupiter still is in use in Holland and i have his Fairthorpe EM which i managed to purchase needing a rebuild back in the late 80`s. If you send me a pm i will give you my contact details if you wish to email or call me, i would love to have a chat with the current owner. Do you have a picture of the car you can post on here?..........Martin

Edited by kartman24 on Wednesday 3rd April 15:59

[markroger]

Good afternoon Martin,

There were only 25 FN-BMW 319/55 sports imported by AFN ( Frazer Nash) before the war and we know the registration numbers. Your first photo shows 820 and the letters look right too. There was not another with the figures 820!
Edwin Lucas bought the car in 1963 from a Mr Evington of Luton. It had been completely dismantled. Much of the timber frame had disappeared from the body which was in the garden.I understood the car was in a coal bunker. The carbs ( 3) were missing as was one headlight!

I am interested to hear of the whereabouts of any Frazer Nash -BMWs in order to
help with Archives and history. 707 BMWs were imported as Frazer Nash- BMWs before the war and perhaps we have knowledge of 150/200. Old photographs would be most welcome from any source.

Looking forward to a chat, I am not sure how to get a pm to you Martin.
I am happy to put my email on here if that is allowed. Maybe not a good idea.

[markroger]

I forgot to say if you go to Google,click Images at the top,type and click on Frazer Nash BMW there is a photo of CXD 820 although the reg is not visible,2 rows above your photo. It is two tone green. My car is there too, Brown /beige, FMC 119.