Three-quarters front view of a 1953, Ford Consul Mk. 1, Abbot Farnham Bodied Estate, part of the 2023 London Classic Car Auction at Olympia


Abbott of Farnham, E D Abbott Limited was a British coachbuilding business based in Farnham, Surrey, trading under that name since 1929. A major part of their output was under sub-contract to motor vehicle manufacturers. In 1934 Abbott won a major contract from Lagonda to provide all the bodies for the new small Rapier and work from Frazer-Nash for coachwork on imported BMW chassis. During the Second World War the company manufactured experimental radar aerials for the Royal Aircraft Establishment. However, after World War II the company restarted its coachbuilding activities, building production runs of coupés for Sunbeam-Talbot and Healey, as well as some special bodies for Jowett, Bentley and Lanchester. Orders also came from Ford for estate car versions of their Consul and Zephyr models, which kept the firm in business during the late 1950s and early 1960s. This stunning example of the rare Abbott of Farnham bodied Mk. I Consul is presented in Bristol Fawn with contrasting red trim and has been subject to a full restoration. A well know example amongst enthusiasts, this car formed part of the James Hull collection famously purchased by Jaguar Land Rover Heritage and has been on display at the Gaydon Motor Museum prior to our vendor purchasing. A magazine featured example that has received little road use whilst being on display at the Gaydon Motor Museum, however since its removal from its space at the famous museum, it has benefitted from a mechanical re-commissioning and is supplied with both service and previous MoT test certificates. This highly regarded and well-known show car would grace any serious car collection and forms part of British motoring heritage.


Size: 4524px × 3405px
Location: Olympia London Hammersmith Road London W14 8UX
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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