Ensign LNF3

RSQ · 16 Feb 2004, 11:43 (Ref:875647)

Has anyone got any information on the Ensign LNF3? Mine is chassis 007 and 1972.

RTH · 17 Feb 2004, 09:14 (Ref:876672)

I owned one 1983 - 1986 it was sold to France it was a factory development car which Brian Henton drove.

RSQ · 17 Feb 2004, 09:17 (Ref:876676)

How did you find it? I have only just bought mine and I am testing next week. I have had modern stuff, but this is my first move to Historic. Do you have any pictures of yours?

davemorganfan · 17 Feb 2004, 09:57 (Ref:876692)

Quote:

Originally posted by RTH
I owned one 1983 - 1986 it was sold to France it was a factory development car which Brian Henton drove.

Did Henton drive your car in any races, or was it purely for testing? I can't recall him appearing in an Ensign, but my memeory isn't what it was!

Dan Rear · 17 Feb 2004, 10:14 (Ref:876709)

IIRC Henton went very well in an Ensign right at the end of the 73 season, right in among the leading Marches of Brise/Wood/Taylor/Harness etc, plus the Jones GRD. Did he win at Mallory late on that year ?? I wonder what that was about, as by then Nunn was well into F1. Perhaps Henton persuaded him to make a final F3 effort ?

simon drabble · 17 Feb 2004, 11:59 (Ref:876862)

I will be interested to hear how you get on - I have often been tempted to buy an Ensign as there have been several for sale over the last few years. It seemed a very reasonably priced way to try out single seaters

RSQ · 17 Feb 2004, 17:00 (Ref:877194)

I hope so. With the ever increasing costs of moder motorsport, I think it will make a pleasant change to revert to te "bobby basic" grass roots. I think this era represents the ultimate mixture of good looks, pace and safety. Very much looking forward to th season.

listernoble · 17 Feb 2004, 17:14 (Ref:877214)

A friend of mine who runs a Mallock Mk2 bought an Ensign last year.
I have not seen it but he is having the twin cam engine re-built and it will be used for hillclimbs.
He would probably be interested to talk to you,he lives in Bristol but will be at the Historic Race car show on all 3 days.
Lister

RSQ · 18 Feb 2004, 09:50 (Ref:878079)

Excellent, thank-you for that. All information is greatly appreciated.

rogboy · 20 Nov 2005, 08:14 (Ref:1465404)

I am trying to get as much information as possible on chassis drawings of the Ensign LNF3, I would like to build one for classic racing here in NZ, and would like to use Alfa 1600TC, I know they are a bit tall, but have all the good bits, and go better and longer than Lotus (In my view anyway) have Hewland and all other bits and can build anything, just can't afford a real one, invlved in classic racing here, in single seaters, run a ex FF, now in monoposto spec, but love the look and lines of the Ensign. I can be E-mailed at roganddor@xtra.co.nz

**John Turner** · 20 Nov 2005, 09:31 (Ref:1465450)

Welcome to 10-Tenths, rogboy; hope it provides the help you are after.

Steve Wilkinson · 21 Nov 2005, 10:36 (Ref:1466326)

Quote:

Originally Posted by listernoble

A friend of mine who runs a Mallock Mk2 bought an Ensign last year.
I have not seen it but he is having the twin cam engine re-built and it will be used for hillclimbs.
He would probably be interested to talk to you,he lives in Bristol but will be at the Historic Race car show on all 3 days.
Lister

The car in question is the ex-Mike Wilds Dempster International car. It went from Dempster to David Franklin who hillclimbed and sprinted it. It then went through various hillclimb and sprinters until rescued by the current owner.

allenbrown · 21 Nov 2005, 13:24 (Ref:1466487)

Hi Steve

Any idea of the chasss number of that one?

Allen

Steve Wilkinson · 21 Nov 2005, 20:24 (Ref:1466796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbrown

Hi Steve

Any idea of the chasss number of that one?

Allen

I only have it as LNF3-73

Gerry Taylor · 24 Nov 2005, 20:31 (Ref:1469595)

Hi Guys, reading all this about the Ensign takes me back to Holly Lane, in a place called Great Wyrley, in Staffordshire. Mo was building his cars in the garage by the side of his house. It was the first time I had ever seen a garage with a spotlessly clean red painted floor. The car he was building was having tubular pieces welded in place and Mo had a sort of arc lamp, shining very bright on the weld he was working on, very meticulous. I had gone over to see him on the recommendation of Alan Rollinson, who said he would be able to build me an engine for one of my Anglia's. I spent the whole evening with him and his wife, and left without even asking about my build, so intrigued was I with this man and this amazing talent he had. This was way before he moved the lot to Lichfield. I never saw him again. I know he went to the USA, and became quite famous over there. Anyone have a contact for him or an e-mail address, as an old friend I would love to say hello to him again. Many thanks for your time, Gerry Taylor SWISH Anglia.

P.S. Strange really, as now my close neighbour is JIM YARDLEY the BEAGLE man!

Dan Rear · 25 Nov 2005, 10:28 (Ref:1469925)

Gerry, I well remember the Beagle Clubmans car, a real beaut, and much nicer than the U2s of the era. Jim later built a one-off Beagle F3 car, and went up against the contemporary mega-buck Reynards and Ralts. Whate happened to that car I wonder ?

Steve Wilkinson · 25 Nov 2005, 10:32 (Ref:1469926)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

Gerry, I well remember the Beagle Clubmans car, a real beaut, and much nicer than the U2s of the era. Jim later built a one-off Beagle F3 car, and went up against the contemporary mega-buck Reynards and Ralts. Whate happened to that car I wonder ?

The car has a 1.6 Honda Vtec engine fitted nowadays and Jim is contesting various speed events including the British Sprint Championship. He finished second in the 1600cc Racing Car Category this year and will be back out next season when incidentally he will be 65 years young.

Ted Walker · 28 Nov 2005, 09:15 (Ref:1471934)

Many moons ago I owned the F2 Car that was used on the hills by Peter Varley. It came with 2 spare chassis and a load of bits.I sold it to Eagle Racing in Kent.

h4887 · 29 Nov 2005, 20:52 (Ref:1473326)

Quote:

Originally Posted by listernoble

A friend of mine who runs a Mallock Mk2 bought an Ensign last year.
I have not seen it but he is having the twin cam engine re-built and it will be used for hillclimbs.

Lister

Are you going to talk him into a 'drive-swap' next year Lister?

Steve Wilkinson · 29 Nov 2005, 22:02 (Ref:1473422)

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4887

Are you going to talk him into a 'drive-swap' next year Lister?

Not another driver-swap - I get so confused!

h4887 · 30 Nov 2005, 20:24 (Ref:1474147)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

Not another driver-swap - I get so confused!

You get confused! After Loton last year Lister still thinks he's Peter Voigt -apart from the weight difference of course!

Steve Wilkinson · 30 Nov 2005, 22:14 (Ref:1474220)

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4887

You get confused! After Loton last year Lister still thinks he's Peter Voigt -apart from the weight difference of course!

I think the commentator called it his handicap!

rogboy · 1 Dec 2005, 08:59 (Ref:1474444)

While that man has his engine rebuilt, how about hopping around with a tape measure and digi camera, and do a bit of sweet talking, then send it all over to me, and I will buy you a beer next time you are down my way!
Roger

listernoble · 4 Dec 2005, 18:27 (Ref:1476877)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

I think the commentator called it his handicap!

I've lost over 2.5 stone this year,mainly to allow me to fit into the cockpit of small planes,but I hope to do another car-drive swap next season with Peter Voigt.
Of course,he may not agree in case I beat him
Lister

Alan Raine · 4 Dec 2005, 19:45 (Ref:1476907)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

Strange really, as now my close neighbour is JIM YARDLEY the BEAGLE man!

The Beagles always looked different to any other car around but more important they were always quick! The Ensign was a lovely looking car. I remember it well as a teenager watching Mike Wilds & co at Crystal Palace. It always made a whistling noise coming into North Tower, possibly due to the aero shape. Does it still do it?