1954 Kieft 1500 ex Le Mans' - FENDER BROAD

SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT

FROM

 Main Office/Showroom: 

Glenfrome House, Eastgate Road, Bristol, BS5 6XX 

Neil Fender: +44 (0)7794 477 785 Contact our sales office: neil@fenderbroad.com

• Reg Number: CV186WE (French registered)
• Type of Vehicle: Open top sports
• Year of Manufacture: 1954
• Engine Size: 1500
• Engine Type: MG 1500 XPAG
• Transmission Type: 4 Speed manual
• Number of Doors: 2

 

1954 Kieft 1500 ex Le Mans'

Outstanding race history from period including Le Mans in 1954. Mille Miglia eligible. Fully restored and on the button.
Cyril Kieft’s first racing car, a mid engine formula 3 design appeared in 1950 making a significant impact thanks to drivers like Stirling Moss, Don Parker, Ken Wharton and Bernie Ecclestone
The company was known for its innovation and when it later ventured into sports cars it was with the stylish ‘central steering’ model which concealed a passenger seat under the left hand tonneau. Designed by Gordon Bedson and featuring aluminium bodywork which had been inspired by similar designs by Veritas and Gordini, it was available in 2 litre Bristol or 1.5litre MG engine. The cars were raced by privateers and as a works team with some success.
Our car registered 1093WO was one of two Works entries in the 1954 Le Mans 24hours. An MG engine model driven by Kieft’s French concessionaires Georges Trouis and Alfred Hitchings the car number 48. The car retired on lap 26 with overheating issues. However a class win at Sebring 12 hours and the Tourist Trophy were 1954 highlights. The 1954 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring didn’t go so well as the car retired. Further outings at Montlhery twice including the 24hr Grand Prix de Paris and then back to the Nurburgring for the 500km race in August of 1954.
In late 1954/ early 1955 the rear body work was redesigned in the style of the contemporary OSCA or Ferrari. This likely followed a collision and made the car look more sleek and elegant. Our car competed at Hockenheim in May 1955 with this new sleek rear end and throughout the season. 
The car stands as one of only 4 surviving Kieft central steering sports racers. 1093WO is now fully race prepared with an all steel XPAG 1500 engine and a substantial history file. The car returned to the track at Le Mans Classic in 2014 and is offered for sale with its original engine as well as the fully race prepared engine in situ now.