1947 Frazer Manhattan

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported from the Middle East under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond. Car older than 30 years are subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual.

The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £3,000, then £150 is added, making the total amount payable £3,150. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT plus 20% import VAT.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT. If you plan to export the car to your location, then you will only pay tax in that country, and can ignore these fees.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for removing the car from bond and generating a NOVA from HMRC, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and is required to register the vehicle with the DVLA.

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, so it will require recommissioning and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be pleased to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

We know next to nothing about the life story of this 1947 LHD Frazer Manhattan sedan.

We know it was built in 1947.

We know its VIN is: F47C100473.

We know it joined the vendor’s collection in 2015.

We know the odometer currently reads 32,667 miles.

The inscription on the rather heraldic-looking Frazer badge reads ‘Je suis prêt’, meaning, ‘I am ready’.

Well, it might be.

Unfortunately, we can’t put it to the test because we don’t currently have a key for this vehicle.

We’re guessing from a couple of Concours D’Elegance car show entry cards that came with the vehicle that it was living in Quebec, Canada, at some point.

As with most cars from this vendor’s collection, our assessment comes with the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive the car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition.

In general, and from a few yards away, this big, handsome car presents pretty well.

The two-tone brown over cream paintwork is fairly good in the main and the bodywork is largely devoid of any significant dinks, dents and creases.

Get a little closer, though, and one or two fairly minor issues become apparent.

The o/s/r door doesn’t close properly.

Aside from that, there are some scuffs, scratches and paint chips along the car’s n/s flanks.

There are scuffs and paint chips on the o/s/r wing and something (it looks oil or tar based) has been spilled over the boot.

There’s a slight scuff at the front of the bonnet and some paint chips and scuffs on top of both the n/s/f and o/s/r wings.

There are some paint chips behind the rear edge of the bonnet on the o/s.

The lights, badging and chrome work seem very good, save for couple of spots of rust dust on the front bumper.

The o/s/f window is scratched and streaked, and the o/s/r and n/s/f windows have several cracks to the glass.

The interior is good in parts and less so in others, thanks largely to the unwanted attentions of moths, who have really been to town on the fabric on the two front door cards and, just for fun, chewed a few holes in the fabric of the seats, front and back.

The structure of the seats, though, appears to be fine and they feel supportive, comfortable and functional all-round.

The headlining is not ripped or holed but is in need of some vigorous cleaning.

The (presumably polyester or similar) carpets and mats have survived rather better than some of the car’s natural fabrics.

The steering wheel, dashboard, instruments and all interior fixtures and fittings look fine.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

While the undersides appear to have a reasonable amount of structural integrity, there is some rust dust and flaking in evidence, particularly along the sills.

You’ll want to see it for yourself before reaching your own conclusion.

The engine and engine bay seem to be in good condition with everything in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals are in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this fine and rare survivor of a bygone era could well repay the time and effort required to return it to its former glory.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £3,000 - £5,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.