1936 Frazer Nash-BMW 319 Type 55 Roadster | Bonhams | Goodwood Revival | 19 Sept 2026

Registration no. ASC 131

Chassis no. 56131

Engine no. 56131

• Delivered new in the UK

• In-period competition history

• Present family ownership since 2023 (and during the 1940s)

• Engine rebuilt by Simon Blakeney-Edwards 2024/2025 (bills available)

• A well cared-for car

Sold new in 1936 via Archibald Scott Brown's dealership in Glasgow to actor and racer Elliot Playfair, this remarkable Frazer Nash-BMW 319 was owned by the vendor's father during the 1940s, subsequently passing through several other ownerships before being reclaimed by his family in 2023.

In late 1934, AFN Ltd had concluded an agreement with BMW for the importation of their cars into the UK where they were sold as Frazer Nash-BMWs, some with coachwork by British firms and others with German-made bodies. BMW models 319 and 319/1 were introduced in 1935 powered by six-cylinder engines, as were the 315 and 315/1. It was this 1,971cc engine, when equipped with Herr Schleicher's innovative cylinder head, that would power the iconic BMW 328 sports car.

'ASC 131' was first registered on 31st October 1936. Copies of the AFN service records on file list various works carried out and parts supplied. There is also a post-it note from the inimitable Denis Jenkinson noting that his friend and editor of The Motor, Charles Bulmer, owned the BMW in 1950. 'Jenks' also initialled the record when researching for his book on Frazer Nash, From Chain Drive to Turbocharger. Also present is a BMW Zertifikat recording a production date of February 1936 at AFN Limited's Falcon Works.

The car's preceding whereabouts are not known for certain, but it seems highly likely that brothers Paul and Jack Gibson - the vendor's father and uncle respectively - had acquired the car circa 1939 when it was advertised for sale in by Halls of Balham with an asking price of £225 (copy advertisement on file). There is a wonderful family photograph of the owner's uncle, Jack Gibson, driving the BMW with wartime 'blackout' shutters on the headlights, which suggests the brothers owned it during WW2. The car was registered to new owners in 1962 and 1966, but there the trail goes cold.

Before then, 'ASC 131' had been driven by Playfair at the Bo'ness hill climb in 1937 (see superb action shot on file). At a different event also at Bo'ness that same year the BMW was pictured in the paddock; apparently Grand Prix driver W R L Thorne drove it to 2nd fastest time of the day. 'ASC 131' featured in The Autocar's report of the two-day Highland Trial, again driven by Thorne, and also in its report of the Scottish Rally in May 1937. In 1938 the BMW participated in the Land's End Trial, possibly driven by one L E C Hall.

Many years later, in 2015, Jeremy Gibson and his cousin Tony succeeded in tracking down the car to Germany, where it was being restored for its owner, Wolfgang Schründer. The original Type 55 Roadster body is believed to have been replaced by another to correct specification by Herr Schründer.

Another eight years would pass before Jeremy next tried to locate 'ASC 131'. By this time Herr Schründer had died but his obituary did give his family's address. They passed on details of the new owner, Wolfgang Klinke, who agreed to sell the BMW.

Back in the Gibson family's custodianship, 'ASC 131' was driven by Jeremy at the VSCC's Prescott meeting in August 2024 where it was displayed on the Historic BMW Motor Club's stand. On the way home the engine seized, necessitating a full rebuild, which was entrusted to Simon Blakeney-Edwards and carried out over the winter of 2024/2025. There are invoices on file totalling over £30,000 for the engine rebuild and numerous other works. The car is standard apart from two easily reversed modifications: a Volvo Amazon synchromesh gearbox and two, instead of three, Solex carburettors. It is supplied with a spare correct type BMW Hurth gearbox and triple carburettor set-up.

Since the engine rebuild the BMW has travelled to Bicester, Boulogne and Goodwood House for the Goodwood Road Racing Club's open day in August 2025 where it won the 'Favourite Vehicle' award.

A fuller account of the BMW's life and times may be found in Classic & Sports Car magazine's June 2026 edition in an excellent article by Andrew Frankel (copy on file and well worth a read).