Books and Regalia
"Froge
ye Sprite the complete story" by John Baggott
Released in September 2013 this new book is said to be "the only book written exclusively about the iconic Mark 1 Austin Healey Sprite, the book covers the full story of the design, development and manufacture of the Mark 1 Sprite, including the considerable success of the car in racing and rallying".
With foreword by Bic Healey, the book is published by Crowood Press and priced at £30 per copy.
ISBN: 978-1-84797-550-8.
A signed copy can be obtained via me at £36 including UK postage, £40 Europe, or £57 USA, etc.
Here is my review of the book:
“Scorned when it first appeared in 1958 because of its unorthodox frontal design it was not long before the Sprite gathered a devoted following from enthusiasts, young and old. Fondness for the first edition, i.e the Frogeye, remains pretty strong today which is why John’s new book is likely to be eagerly snapped up.
Having given a little minor assistance with the editing of the many photos which adorn its pages I know the lengths to which the author has gone to obtain the detailed histories of the cars included, and to find period photos, many of which have not been previously published.
It is also great to see the full stories of Speedwell and their GT, the WSMs, the Lenhams, the Alexander GT and other Sprite variants. John’s meticulous research comes through in all the potted histories of the various cars and shows just how many lives this little fun sports-car has touched in the last 50 plus years.
I’m sure many a Frogeye owner, whether past or present, will want to have this book on his/her ‘motoring’ bookshelf".”
Martin Ingall
"LuckyJohn" by John Sprinzel ~ his autobiography
[Tom Cou
lthard apologises that John's book "LUCKY JOHN" hasn't been available for
some time due to illness. But copies from the original print run (with signature plate
individually signed by John) can be obtained again, now at the reduced price of £30
including UK postage. Available in the UK ONLY.
Just go to coulthardpress@btinternet.com and pay using PayPal, provide your full name and address and a copy will wing its way to you.]
I feel privileged to have been asked by John Sprinzel to review his recently-released autobiography, ‘Lucky John’. Anyone who has heard John speak at a motoring function will know how good he is at telling a story, his detailed recollections always delivered with a great sense of fun and humour. His book is no different. Beginning with his boyhood in North London, he then tells of his years in sailing before becoming heavily involved with cars and motorsport. There is a myriad of photos throughout the book, some familiar while many are new to me, and of course a heavy smattering of Sprites among them. Many well-known names and faces appear and I found I was able to place these people and their relationships
to each other more accurately than before. There are fascinating chapters on each of the major international rallies – I particularly enjoyed the one about the Liège. While the book’s title suggests an element of ‘luck’ in John’s many exploits he has clearly been skilled at steering a very successful path through life, knowing instinctively just when it was time to move on to the next stage. I read his book on PDFs over a weekend being unable to put it down and can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy. Whether you’re a fan of ‘the man’, of Sebring Sprites, or of 60’s and 70’s rallying in general you will certainly enjoy reading it. If “Spritely Years” was on your must-have list then this book surely will be. Well done, John, and thank you.
I noticed a tiny picture of Tom Coulthard appearing “Hitchcocklike” somewhere in the book and I believe it is he who has been responsible for the slightly unusual but most successful layout of the pages.
John's book is dedicated to Caryl, John’s wife of forty years, and is published by:
The Coulthard Press, of Oxford, with design-work by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird.
"Spritely Years" by John Sprinzel & Tom Coulthard
Regarded to many of us Sebring Sprite enthusiasts as "The Bible" as 
it brings all the history of our cars alive again. wonderful stories and great photos, some of which I have been kindly given permission to reproduce within this website. The first edition, published in 1994 was soon sold out and a second one, printed in 2008, has now also been just about used up. All enquiries, please, to Tom at: spritelyyears@btinternet.com who may be able to find you a copy. ISBN 1 85260 498 0 ~ published by Patrick Stephens Limited and Haynes Publishing.
[Currently out of print - amazon.com usually have some at around £125 each]
"A Bri
ef History of 46 BXN" by Peter Jackson ~ available again
This charming little book was written by BXN's first owner, Peter Jackson who raced it very successfully, initially in the West Indies, and later at home in England and on the Continent. It is a fascinating read accompanied by lots of photos. I now have a few more copies so let me know if you would like one. It is available at £7.50 plus post and packing. Please register your interest by leaving your name and address via Feedback.
Regalia
Sebring Decal. At the Goodwood Sprite 50th celebrations in 2008, the "Lumbertubs Sprit
e" was sporting this rather attractive decal depicting the layout of the Sebring Circuit in Florida. Produced by Pete Taylor they can be purchased in a variety of colours, to special order, for about £3.50 a piece. Contact me via Feedback if interested.
Sebring Sweatshirts & Tee Shirts. Again these are not items which I hold in stock, and in the past I have waited until say 6 people have requested them before placing an order, so saving on postal costs, etc.
T Shirts: These are available in Navy Blue 80% Cotton/20%Polyester with white logos: Sebring Sprite, Arch
ers Garage, on the front, and with sebringsprite.com on the back. They can be ordered with any or all of these 3 logos, please specify when ordering. Sizes are S (35" to 37" chest), M (38 to 40), L (41 to 43), XL (44 to 46 and XXL (47 to 49). The price is £7.50 plus VAT = £ 8.81 plus post & packaging, (which I will quote once you have ordered).
Sweatshirts: These are also Navy Blue 100% Cotton with white logos: 
Sebring Sprite, and Archers Garage on the front, and with sebringsaprite.com on the back. They can be ordered with any or all of these 3 logos, please specify when ordering. Sizes are S (36" to 38" chest), M (40), L (42 to 44), XL (46 to 48), and XXL (50 to 52). The price of these is £14.50 plus VAT = £17.04 plus post & packaging (which I will quote once you have ordered).
If you wish to place an order, please advise me via Feedback. Please advise as follows:
1. T or Sweat-shirt,
2. Logos required, and
3. Size(s)
N.B. sizes are different for each. I will then let you know the total cost including post, etc and sort out with you method of payment.