Lea-Francis Owners' Club
 
       

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      "I can't tell you what zest that car added to my life."      
                                 
      In "Stamp Album," the first of a trilogy of autobiographical books by British actor Terence Stamp, he describes his colorful childhood growing up in the East End of a post-WWII torn London.

Much of this book describes young Mr. Stamp's memorable and, perhaps, enviable experiences in his transition from childhood to manhood and stardom.

While many such experiences concern his relationships with women and, perhaps, do not bear repetition here, one experience was clearly so memorable that it he included it amongst his many exploits.

Although no specific date is mentioned in the text, it would seem to be circa 1956. The then seventeen year-old Terence Stamp speaks of his older friend Stan Jones.

The following appears at page 217 of 'Stamp Album,' published by Grafton Books, 1988 © Terence Stamp.

      
                                 
        Stan's regular girlfriend suddenly gave him the air. She'd met a fella who wanted to marry her. Stan was philosophical. 'You can't beat that!' he said. 'You can't compete with a bloke who offers marriage. It's like cheating at cards!' It meant he was suddenly on the loose at weekends. As if in celebration, he sold his Matchless, feather bed frame and all. A black Lea-Francis Sports 14 replaced it. I saw it in on my way to the club, parked outside his house, looking really saucy, with the hood already down. 'In racing trim,' he called it. I can't tell you what zest that car added to my life.

Practically the only cars I had ever been in were either wedding or funeral transport. This was a real hairy sports car; just to hear its roar as we barreled through the Blackwall Tunnel, with the slipstream whipping my hair over my eyes, was a thrill I wanted never to end. Stan was just as chuffed as me, screaming past bikers and shouting abuse as he race-changed into top gear. Our destinations were almost inconsequential and became farther and farther afield as we sought to prolong the journey.

Stan confessed he'd always wanted a different name but it had obviously not occurred to him to do anything about it. To me it presented no problem. I said, 'Just change it. Call yourself whatever you like and tell everyone you meet from now on your new name.'

He didn't have an idea about what name he wanted, and I could see he felt self-conscious. I made it easy. 'Look, your name is Stan.'

'Stanley,' he said.

I had a sudden flash and said, 'OK, how about Lee? You've had twenty-eight years as Stan, now you've progressed to Lee – Lee with the Lea-Francis.' I could see he loved it. I said 'OK, Lee, let's go for a drive and tell some new folks your name.'

        
                                 
      It seems that a trip through the Blackwall Tunnel in a Lea-Francis is not only as ingrained on his memory as his experiences with Nurse Grace (recounted elsewhere), but it also inspired a change of name for his friend.

The photograph of Lee in the Lea-Francis appears between pages 144 and 145 of his book.

Although Terence Stamp describes it as a "Lea-Francis Sports 14," by the look of the windscreen frame, I wonder if it actually is a 2½ Litre?

I also wonder if any Club records exist that might identify Lee's Lea-Francis?

      
                                 
           
             
                                 
    1988 © Terence Stamp. Permission of the publisher has been sought. No portion of this page may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the prior approval of the copyright holder.   "Stamp Album," by Terence Stamp is out of print, however, a simple search on Google using the search phrase "Terence Stamp Album" revealed that used copies are currently available.

Click here to visit the website dedicated to Terence Stamp.