They may famously have written a song called Drive My Car, but in their early days even The Beatles needed a lift sometimes – and this striking open tourer was one of their regular transporters.
The beautiful 1947 Lea-Francis 14hp Drophead Coupé sold yesterday at H&H Classics' Duxford sale, making £14,625 (including the premium).
That saw it comfortably exceed its upper estimate of £11,000, helped no doubt by that connection with The Fab Four.
John Lennon was reportedly rather taken by the Lea-Francis
Back in the ’60s, the wooden-bodied tourer was owned by the father of Mike Maxfield, who was guitarist in the band Billy J Kramer With The Dakotas.
Kramer and The Dakotas were at the time managed by Brian Epstein – who was of course also The Beatles’ manager – and the two Liverpool-based groups would often play together. And, on many of those occasions, the Lea-Francis would provide their transport to the show.
In fact, John Lennon is reported to have taken a particular shine to the car, proclaiming that he “would like to own a car like that”.
Body is a mixture of wood and aluminium; 1767cc engine; Coventry born, but made in Manchester
