The First Sprite to be entered in an International event as a Sebring Sprite.

John Sprinzel has recently pointed out to me that this car has not yet appeared on the website and in his email, below, describes how it came about that Patten bought the car:

"Donald (Healey), MD-Peter Green and I were lunching in the old Steering Wheel Club in Brick Lane, when John Patten, a sometime Ford works driver, came over to say 'Hi', and to casually ask what I thought would be a good rally car for him to buy. While Donald and Peter sat there, a little in awe, I promptly sold John the idea of a Sebring Sprite! Good class, cheap price, and every chance of picking up prizes. He then asked if I would drive it with him on the (1960) Liege, and you know what happened there*. Mike Reid bought the car off my stand at the '62 BRSCC Racing Car Show - it, by then converted to full coupe style. He liaised with me in preparing it for the '62 season". [It is not known what the car was doing during most of 1961, but it is assumed that John Patten used it on the road].

* They came 3rd overall, and won the class, after an absolutely amazing drive - those of you who have a copy of "Spritely Years" should read pages 63 to 65 for the full story. Pictured right are Sprinzel with John Patten after the rally.

As Sprinzel mentions, the car was re-bodied (by Peel Coachworks), probably late in 1961.  John Sprinzel established the Speed Equipment division of the Donald Healey Motor Co at Grosvenor Street in the West End of London, and Paul Hawkins was workshop foreman. They obtained 2214 UE, an Iris Blue Warwick registered car and prepared it for the rally, in which Patten navigated for Sprinzel, just two weeks later. 

After their success in the Liege, John Patten loaned the car to Sprinzel so that he could do the German Rally with his sister , Norma, as navigator. "......we managed 2nd in class among the 1600 Alfas and such. Not to boast of the achievement, but all we had changed on the Sprite were two shocks, the oils, filters and the brake pads and linings - which after a tough Liege just shows how incredibly strong and reliable these little cars were".

The car is now owned by John Tizard who bought it in 1972 or 3, and campaigned it briefly during 1978 which is when he had the accident resulting in the damage which can be seen below. John still has the car.

 Sprinzel & Patten at the finish

& trying hard on the Liege      

Patten/Hawkins RAC Rally '60

Racing Car Show 1962

In John Tizard's hands -   

and at Prescott April 1971     

FEEDBACK:

3 January 2009 - (addressed to John Sprinzel)  My father, John Patten, died a couple of years ago and I've been trying for a little while to find some pictures/information about the rallies he took part in in the 1950s and early 1960s.  I remember the Sebring Sprite you sold him very well - yes, he did use it on the road - and I remember when you and he came third in the Liege - Rome - Liege.  I know he also drove for Ford in the Monte Carlo rallies too, and came second or third, I think, in the Tulip Rally around that time too. I'm pretty sure I remember meeting you also, and some other drivers during that period. Your website is full of interesting information and photos, and has called up a lot of memories for me. Regards, Liz Patten (Australia)
 

16 January 2008 - Alan Cameron of Healey Drivers International has kindly supplied details of UE's day at Prescott in April 1971 (above right): The drivers were R. Leathart whose times were 56.68 and 55.94 secs, and L.A.G.Harrison who achieved 57.42 and 58.32 secs. The car was fitted with a 1200cc engine and ran in the up to 1275cc class.

November 2007 - John Tizard is now working on 2214 UE with the prospect of attending Goodwood next May for the 50th anniversary. He is currently trying to sort out a replacement windscreen via Brian Archer.    Martin

My reply:    Hi Robin,    Very many thanks for your message. No, John Tizard has not yet restored the car although I gather that he is still intending to. It would be good to see it in the flesh, back in its old condition. I will add your comment to the website.                  Martin

From Robin Leathart, 28 May 2007:   Regarding 2214UE I owned the car after Chris Cooke in about 1967 and did a fair amount of hill climbing with it. the pictures you show are of myself at Prescott when the car was "modified" (apologies didn't know any better then!) and probably Prescott as well when it has the roundels on. Could you tell me if John Tizard actually did restore it? It was one of the worst decisions in my life to sell the car , it was a beautiful machine , simply gorgeous. Regards Robin Leathart .

 14th May, 2007 from Arni Wookey:     "In around 1964, 2214 UE was for sale at Wild Goose Garages in Dursley, Gloucestershire. At this time the car was in Sebring specification with the integral hardtop and Sebring bonnet. It was also unusual in that it had the rear hatch for access to the spare wheel which is clearly visible in the current photos on the website. The car was bought by Chris Cooke, who raced it in sports and GT events under the auspices of Ecurie Wild Goose, who also ran a Marcos 1500 for garage owner Don Balme and an 1800 for Howard Steel. I understand that Howard Steel still runs the garage, renamed as Dursley Garage, so may well have more information on its history and subsequent ownership".

The car awaiting restoration after present owner, John Tizard, rolled it while racing, some years ago.

( The above photos are courtesy of John Sprinzel/Tom Coulthard from "Spritely Years", and Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird - my thanks to them)