Connaught Type A History

The Type A was Connaught's first purpose-built racing car, introduced in 1950 for Formula 2. Its space-frame chassis carried independent suspension with wishbones and torsion bars all round (the rear suspension was later replaced with a De Dion axle from 1951). Power came from a Lea-Francis four-cylinder unit that Connaught extensively re-engineered — bored out from 1,767cc to 1,960cc and fitted with dry-sump lubrication and four Amal carburettors, producing up to 145 bhp initially.

Development continued rapidly. When the Formula 1 World Championship adopted Formula 2 regulations for the 1952 and 1953 seasons, Connaught improved the engine to 165 bhp according to factory figures, and late-spec A-Types received fuel injection. Nine cars were built between 1950 and 1953. By the end of 1953 the fleet of A-Types had accumulated 21 race wins, 12 second places, and 10 third-place finishes in major events — a remarkable record for a tiny manufacturer.

The A-Type competed in a handful of early World Championship Grands Prix, including the 1952 and 1953 British Grands Prix. Though outpaced by the works Ferraris and Maseratis at the front, the cars provided valuable experience that fed directly into the Type B's design. A tenth car was built from a bare chassis as late as 1961.