642 GEH ~ Tommy Gold
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Bought new by Tommy Gold in 1959 this, originally Iris blue, Frogeye was entered for the RAC Rally in November that year. After requesting assistance from Marcus Chambers at the BMC Competition Department it was agreed they would prepare the car for him. With his good friend Mike Hughes as navigator. They won their class and came in 2nd overall.
[Tommy Gold won his class on the 1959 RAC Rally and also drive the Sprite in the 1960 event.] [Tommy was known as the rally circus clown.]
This Sprite featured in John Baggott's book " Frogeye Sprite" p154. and Richard Yapp sent me these photos of the car during his ownership between 1968 and 1971 when he used it for autotests, autocross, production car trials, sprints, hillclimbs and the odd circuit race.
Richard says: "It had the Sebring bonnet on it then. I'm a life member of Hagley car club and the BTRDA and used the car with my father, pictured with me, to win the Ken Wharton Memorial Trophy for best club performance at Hagley and also the BTRDA driving test, Ian Mantle Trophy, for best non-expert - both in 1970. By this time I had fitted a 998 Formula Junior engine acquired from Gordon Howie , a long time Sprite and Midget man". Sadly the car is no more having succumbed to the dreaded tin worm but the number is retained by a close friend to whom he sold the car.
Tommy Gold chasing a Lotus 6
(Photo: Karsten Stelk)
Richard Yapp & his father
