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Len's List

Published on Wed, Jul 5, 1989

By: Len Frank

The cars (and a few bikes) owned by Len Frank, at one time or another—by an obvious car guy.
Previously unpublished.

THE LIST

  • 1934 Plymouth Sedan with independent front suspension and 1938 Dodge Engine
  • 1950 Austin A-40 Devon
  • 1951 Plymouth Club Coupe
  • 1941 Lincoln Continental V12 Coupe
  • 1938 Ford Roadster
  • 1951 MG-TD
  • 1938(?) Fiat Topolino
  • 1949 Renault 4cv
  • 1953 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe
  • 1958 Borgward Isabella
  • 1957 Chrysler 300c
  • 1958 Alfa Romeo Veloce Sprint
  • 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
  • 1951 Chrysler Windsor W/Spitfire 6
  • 1956 Porsche 356 1600 Normal Cpe
  • 1959 Berkeley 500
  • 1954 Studebaker Conestoga S/Wgn V8
  • 1950 Dodge Sedan
  • 1957 Porsche Speedster 1600 Normal
  • 1960(?) Nsu Sport Prinz Mit 30ps
  • 1958 Simca Aronde
  • 1955 Studebaker Conestoga S/Wgn V8
  • 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Berlina
  • 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2dr 265 V8
  • 1964 Fiat 1100d Sedan
  • 1961 Ford Anglia (Racer)
  • 1960 Facel Vega Hk500 W/383 Mopar
  • 1961 Porsche 1600n Cabriolet
  • 1963 Porsche 1600s Hardtop Cab
  • 1959 Saab 93b W/850 Engine
  • 1967 Saab Sonett V4
  • 1963 Imperial Sedan
  • 1960 Chevrolet Panel Truck
  • 1964 Alfa Romeo Guilia Spider 1600 (Racer)
  • 1949 GMC 225 Panel Truck
  • 1963 Studebaker Cruiser 289 Sedan
  • 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Sedan W/Modified 140hp Engine
  • 1965/67 Doner Cars For Above
  • 1964 Sunbeam Tiger W/289 V8 & Hardtop
  • 1975 Yamaha 500 Twin Dohc 8v
  • 1965 Honda 160
  • 1964(?) “Dick” Suzuki 150

THE ANALYSIS

  • Notice the paucity of British roadsters (only 3)
  • Notice the large number of elderly Mopar stuff (my father’s influence)
  • Notice that I have owned two two-strokes
  • Notice that I have owned two cars with Dynastart units
  • Fifteen of the cars above were significantly modified, some successfully
  • Five Mopars, not counting Facel Vega with Mopar V8
  • Three Fords, not counting the Tiger
  • Five GMs, not counting Doner Corvairs
  • Twenty-four imports (some still then foreign) including motorcycles
  • Four Studebakers

Also, lots of time driving a 1950 Nash (Gnash) Ambassador—The Curtis Turner/Bill France Carrera Panamericana Replica Model, A 1.8 Liter Porsche 914, A 1959 Lancia Appia Farina Coupe, 1964 Triumph Herald Drophead, A 1958 VW, various Alfas 1978 and later, Lotus Elans, etc. – Len Frank


Top image: A 1957 Chrysler 300c advertisement, similar to the car that Len Frank once owned (FCA)

Len Frank

The late Len Frank was the legendary co-host of “The Car Show”—the first and longest-running automotive broadcast program on the airwaves. Len was also a highly regarded journalist, having served in editorial roles with Motor TrendSports Car GraphicPopular Mechanics, and a number of other publications. LA Car is proud to once again host “Look Down the Road – The Writings of Len Frank” within its pages. Special thanks to another long-time automotive journalist, Matt Stone, who has been serving as the curator of Len Frank’s archives since his passing in 1996. Now, you’ll be able to view them all in one location under the simple search term “Len Frank”, or just click this link: Look Down The Road. – Roy Nakano

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