Racing and all that jazz
Les Unveiled
Alfred Lazarus Fingleston aka Les Leston's early life began in Bulwell, Nottingham, where he was born to Jewish parents of Lithuanian descent. Leaving school at 13, he briefly ventured into office work, but by his own admission was “useless” at it.
Son of Harry “Monty” Leston, a coal merchant, who moved the family down to North London after his business went bust. A glorious life in the hot spots of London would await. It was shortly after that his talent for playing the drums started to present itself.
As a non-practising young Jewish man he found himself standing up for the pride of his people, by actively participating in the the Battle of Cable Street (the defiant resistance of Londoners against Oswald Mosley’s fascist Blackshirts preventing their march through East London 1936).
His early experiences shaped the tenacity and resilience that defined his remarkable journey.
Less Noise, More Rhythm
Les Leston’s drumming career thrived in big bands and in jazz. He performed with the likes of Joe Loss, Bert Ambrose & His Orchestra and the Clay Pigeons led by Johnny Claes. Claes and Les would end up racing for Connaught Engineering and further down the line with a host of other jazz musicians who ventured in to motorsport.
His exploits earned him reviews stating he was the "best jive jazz drummer in the country" and "one of the funniest men on the circuit" – at heart Les Leston was a comedian.
World War 2 curtailed his career, however, ever the entertainer, the war wasn’t enough put him off playing and he frequented the Bomber command bar with his drum kit and fellow musicians.
Lest We Forget
Upon signing up to join the RAF in WW2, Les volunteered for Bomber Command – he served as a mid-upper gunner in a Lancaster Bomber and took part in 30 raids.
During his basic training Les was cleaning his rifle when it went off. It just so happened that at this time his Sergeant major was sitting on the throne at the time. As the projectile that erupted from the end of the weapon hit the water tank above the poor bloke’s head it exploded drenching the poor chap. In social circles Les could often be described as a loose cannon - no irony is lost here.
This particular act didn’t hinder Les later being promoted to Sergeant after he completed his full tour. A disciplinary sergeant at that – for anyone who knew him this is simply laughable and still brings a smile to our faces today!
Lessons In Fortune
Ever the man that would rebuttal falling into a snake pit by coming out wearing snakeskin shoes – Les and his father "Monty" made the best of the poor situation that post-war Britain found itself in.
They got an ‘in’ with a huge quantity of surplus military aeronautical gear straight from the governemt – at a cut rate at that! The fortune attained from the High Holborn based "Aero Spares" paved the way for Les’ career into motorsport and more...
Les Leston Unlimited
Les Leston's racing days were a whirlwind of triumphs and mischievous escapades. As a two-time Formula 3 champion competing for Cooper, he showcased his exceptional skills on the track.
Notably, he became the British Saloon Car Champion in his trusty Riley 1.5 while also using it as a daily run about and secured the British GT championship with his formidable Lotus Elite - DADIO.
Les's racing prowess extended beyond the borders, as he frequented Le Mans the Monte Carlo Rally and emerged as a works driver for esteemed teams like Aston Martin, Cooper, BMC, Ford, Willment and Connaught among others.
With an impressive tally of 154 worldwide victories, Les Leston left his tire tracks on race circuits across the globe. His illustrious career featured unforgettable battles and victories against racing legends, including the renowned Sir Stirling Moss. Not bad for a chap who started racing aged 29.
Les claimed the distinction of being the sixth-ever British winner of a Grand Prix, as well as one of the earliest British winners on the European continent.
Beyond his raw talent, Les's magnetic personality, reflected in his ever-present smile and mischievous glint in the eye, led him to be the guiding light for some of the more straight-laced drivers, having a knack for leading them astray—a fitting trait for an ex-musician.
When Les is More...
...Innovation takes the wheel. Les Leston, an inventive pioneer, revolutionized not only motorsport but also the trajectory of sports branding - particularly in motorsport. 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 always 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, BMC and of course Les Leston, cementing Les Leston's reputation as a driving force in the industry.
Lights, Camera, Leston!
Les had many retirements and 'come-backs' from racing – one of which happened in the early ‘60’s where he shifted gears to embrace his business duties, while indulging in the
vibrant allure of London. Amidst it all, Les found himself immersed in the world of media, seamlessly balancing his entrepreneurial pursuits with a dazzling side lane that added another layer of excitement to his already remarkable journey.
From revving up the BBC F1 show with his commentary and presenting to spinning records on Radio Luxembourg (fittingly the place he won his first ever Grand Prix) and jazzing up the Hong Kong airwaves on RTHK Radio (the public broadcasting service in Hong Kong) with his show 'All That Jazz'. Les’ charisma knew no bounds. Off the air, his uproarious after-dinner speeches ignited laughter, while his ability as a compare at Ronnie Scott’s set the stage ablaze. A true entertainer on all frequencies, Les was a driving force of laughter and rhythm, delivering entertainment in ‘reel’ time.
