1953 Connaught L3/SR

Key facts

Year

1953
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,767cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Overhead valve
Output

102bhp at 6,000rpm
Maximum speed

108mph
Price new

£1,290
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Connaught Engineering Ltd. Surrey

One of just three built, the L3/SR was a sports racing development of the L3 sports car. Like other Connaught road cars, it incorporated Lea Francis engines and chassis including the torsion bar independent front suspension introduced by them in 1949. Bodywork was by Abbotts of Farnham, using a timber frame rather than the tubular steel usually specified by Connaught.

Connaught, originally Continental Cars Ltd, was established in 1945 as a specialist high performance car dealer. Led by Rodney Clarke and Mike Oliver, the Surrey based company began building cars of its own design under the Connaught name. They are perhaps best remembered as builders of single seat racing cars. With financial backing from Kenneth McAlpine, Connaught built a succession of F2 and F1 cars from 1951. Despite great promise and some success, the company went out of business in 1957.