Les Leston x Porsche
Pt.1
Alfred Lazarus Fingleston, Les Leston, was born to Jewish parents of Lithuanian descent in Nottingham on the 16th of December 1920.
He spent his early life as a successful jazz drummer, for bands including the Clay Pigeons, working in the family retail business, and serving in WW2 as a mid-upper gunner. Les Leston was one of the true characters of British motor racing in the pioneering decades of the 1950s and 1960s.
Entering the sport in 1949 at the age of older age of 29 he piloted a Jaguar SS100 for a while before acquiring a 500cc Cooper Norton which led him to win the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1952 (a race containing Stirling Moss and Peter Collins). In 1954 Les became a Cooper works driver winning the British Formula Three championship in that same year and continuing on to win more than 160 races in all formulas. There is no doubt that he was a natural born to pilot behind a steering wheel.
Les Leston in his Cooper passes Charlie Headland at Silverstone in September 1952
Les Leston in a BRM P25 at the 1957 British GP
Les Leston leading Jim Russell through the Bomb Hole at Snetterton in Spring 1954
He participated in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 2 September 1956, but scored no championship points. His best success at Le Mans came as an Aston Martin works driver with Roy Salvadori where he finished 6th overall in 1957.
A spirited driver throughout the era made him a challenging opponent but perhaps his greatest contribution to motorsport racing came after his retirement from the track, through his pioneering of flameproof equipment, state-of-the-art helmets for drivers, and a plethora of aftermarket parts, including the his infamous steering wheels. Not many know today but Les Leston was the first businessman to market flameproof overalls and gloves at a time when burns were one of the primary causes of death and injury among race drivers.
His ground-breaking invention of flame retardant overalls transformed the landscape of racing safety and set the stage for Les Leston products to soar. With his is cheeky tongue in cheek advertising coupled with a vast network of connections in motorsport, it was no surprise that Formula 1 drivers swiftly embraced Les Leston gear, sparking a ripple effect that transformed the company into an automotive enthusiast's paradise. A host of other sportsmen would follow suit using their fame to develop their own personal brands.
His 6 storey London based shop became an emporium of motoring delights, offering a diverse array of items. From stylish clothing to enticing bolt-on 'Go-Faster' goodies, customers could find anything their automotive heart desired. However, the crown jewel of the collection was the steering wheels. Les owned his own factory, Walsall Wheels, the manufacturing company responsible for producing Les Leston wheels. At the peak of its success, Walsall Wheels churned out an astounding 1,000 steering wheels per week for the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar and Alfa-Romeo, cementing Les Leston's reputation as a driving force in the industry.
Les Leston in an Aston Martin at the Nurburgring in 1957
LL steering wheels were made in a few different styles for many cars of that era. Ford, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Alfa-Romeo and BMW were some of the major marques that LL made aftermarket steering wheels to suit. Interestingly enough, the Porsche 356B and 356C was also offered in the LL lineup and became a factory option alongside the stock Black VDM and Carrera 2 steering wheels.
A base model Black VDM Steering Wheel.
Porsche 356 B’s and C’s spanned from 1959 until 1966 and utilised the same steering wheel spline, diameter, and dish. Leston Leston steering wheels were a perfect addition to those wanting a classy and unique addition to their motor car.
When Part 2 is released we will breakdown and take a close look at the intricacies that surround these steering wheels and how to spot the difference between an original and a fake.
A Carrera 2 steering wheel with Deluxe horn ring.