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Dedicated to the memory of the late Brian Archer who fulfilled his dream to re-create John Sprinzel's Sebring Sprite Coupé

 

2284 WD ~ a 'works' look-alike

This Austin-Healey Sprite Mk.II started life as a standard example and was one of many supplied to, and registered by, the Donald Healey Motor Co. Ltd. - this one on 7th June 1961 - with the Warwick registration 2284 WD. Painted Iris Blue, it had the usual ventilated disc wheels and drums brakes all-round, and it's first owner was a Mr. Harry Moss, as indicated in the logbook. Much later it was purchased by Jonathan Peck as a restoration project (still in its standard form) having 2284 WDbeen offered for sale in the late '80s by Colin Cooper's 'Frogeye Spares Company'. As part of the car's rebuild its new owner commissioned a set of alloy body panels to replicate those used on the 4 'works' Sebring cars of 1962/3 (though the bonnet has an alloy skin over the original steel frame, and the steel rear bodywork is retained). Numerous special components were then fitted: modified engine with 45 Weber; close ratio gear box; Warwick Mk 2 hard top; original style blue seats were retained; single loop rollover bar; Sebring pedal box; Girling front discs with type 10 calipers; Riley 8" rear brakes; adjustable Armstrong rear lever arms; replica Sebring wood rim steering wheel; wire wheels; and a re-spray in metallic silver (rather than the Healey Ice Blue used on the works cars). I understand that Jonathan also has an XSP engine which is not currently fitted.

During the early 2000's, the car was taken in to Brian Archer's garage for accident repair work following an 'off' during a rally when it required a replacement front end (again in alloy).  Brian had new wings and bonnet made at great expense, but sadly the company that made them inadvertently copied the later-style Sprite wings (post 1969) with the lower sidelight position. Later additions include: an alloy fuel tank built into the boot; rear bulkhead with carrier for spare wheel accessible from inside the cockpit; and rear floor inspection panels for diff, gearbox filler and clutch cylinder.

To my knowledge the car was never race-prepared, or used in competition by, the Donald Healey Motor Co.

Return to Top2284 WD

Nov 2016: John Moon sent in this photo (right) of 2284 WD which has been owned and campaigned more recently by Jonathan Peck. Apparently John restored the car in the 1980's.