Goodwood 50th Anniversary
70 Photos celebrating 50 years of the Austin-Healey Sprite - May 2008
Friday 16th May dawned overcast, dull and cold with the ever-present threat of rain, but this did not daunt the spirits of the great many Healey enthusiasts who made their way to the Goodwood race circuit in Sussex. When Susan and I arrived in JJO at 8.15 the paddock was already busy with Healeys of all shapes and sizes, from Nash-Healeys to Silverstones, Elliotts, 100s, 3000s but predominantly Sprites including Frogs, and Marks 2,3, and 4. For me, of course, the historic Sprites were what I had come to see, and the fact that this was to be the first time 4 of the famous Sprinzel Coupés would be together in one place since 1961 made it very special. Paul Woolmer was on the organising team and had completed the restoration of his PMO200 back in 2006; Chris Clegg had been racing S221 at Silverstone the previous weekend but brought it along; 410EAO was now in absolutely pristine condition after its 18 year rebuild in the hands of Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; and WJB 707 which Stephen Bowen has owned for 42 years, had finally emerged from Brian Wheeler's paint-shop just two weeks ago, enabling Stephen and his friend Michael to fit it up with glass, lights, suspension, steering and wheels, leaving the rest of the work to be completed before its intended trip to the Le Mans Classic in July. Many other special Sprites were present in the display tent including both versions of Jack Wheeler's 7080 AC. The streamlined one was another job recently completed by the amazing Brian Wheeler and it looked great - not to mention the very rare cross-flow head and twin Webers fitted to its motor. 4 HAC, the prototype aluminium bodied Sprite, very like the Targa Florio cars, but which never made production, was there, as were Bill White's Peel-bodied Sebring Coupé 52 LPH which he has owned for 40 years, re-creations of the EcurieEcosse Sprite, and Paddy Gaston's RAM 35, plus Paul Woolmer's newly-repaired 46 BXN which he had the misfortune to roll in the Goodwood Revival in 2006, now ready for its former owner and racer Peter Jackson to drive on Sunday. Douglas Wilson-Spratt (and son, Tony) was there with several of his gorgeous WSMs, Dave Owens' Lumbertubs Sprite, and Ian Grainger's ex-Clive Baker Sprite 2341UE etc, etc.
In addition to the cars there were many long-standing members of the BMC and Sprite fraternity including Peter Browning, Bill Price, Jack Sears and Valerie Morley (Domleo). Barrie (Whizzo) Williams was spotted, but sadly on this occasion the "main man" John Sprinzel was unable to join us having accepted another invitation to a gathering of Sprites in the USA. Never mind, we have seen him make the long flight over from Hawaii twice in recent years, and we mustn't be greedy.
What a brilliant idea it was to combine the celebration with a track day. Owners had the opportunity to spend 15 minutes driving the circuit accompanied by a passenger, or an instructor, and this gave a lot of people a great deal of pleasure and a chance to see what they, and their cars, could do. I was very fortunate in obtaining, in all five sessions over the two days, and took a different passenger each time - good practice for the sprint next month!
In the evening there was a Hog Roast and, whilst I did not see any sign of a hog on a spit over a wood fire, the food was very tasty and was accompanied by a band to whom some were dancing.
Australian badge says it all
Frogeye with boot-lid
Stephen Bowen & Michael Meerlo enjoying a coffee
Nick Waller's ex-Ian Whitt
....Sebring Sprite replica
Another boot-lid mod
Grainger's S/C Sebring
Susan and I enjoy a quick lap
(photo:Focus Events.co.uk)
PMO & others on the grid |
S221 |
PMO 200 |
46 BXN |
PBL 75 |
Ex-Mike Garton MEG 199 |
One of Ronnie Coia's replicas |
Rob Visser's Frog with alloy Speedwell bonnet |
The Friday lunchtime display of cars on the grid |
Keith Hopwood's re-created RAM 35 |
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Paul Woolmer and Michael Meerlo enjoying track sessions |
Our party at the Hog Roast |
Australian friends: Paul and Gillian Orton, with Keith Smith |
On Saturday at the Track the weather was much the same but there were many more cars and drivers present. Track sessions were running constantly and there was another glittering parade of historic cars on the grid during the lunch break. Clive Baker, one-time racer of the Healey SR at Le Mans, took the wheel of Brian Wheeler's meticulously engineered replica of that car. It looked and sounded wonderful gliding around the circuit powered by its Rover V8 motor.
An autotest or gymkhana was going on in one of the car parks on the outside of the circuit, but most were enjoying the convivial atmosphere, making new contacts and reinforcing old ones.
Innocenti alongside WJB 707 |
Historic cars on the grid |
Streamlined 7080 AC with S221, PMO, and EAO behind |
EAO - perfection! |
While Woolmer interviews - Willy Cave passes by |
Andy Actman (son of Sprinzel's navigator Sam) & racing Sebring |
Ronnie Coia and pooch ( he had three cars there) |
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Brian Wheeler (in black, left) with his re-creation of the Healey SR which Clive Baker took for a spin and said it performed better than the original - what an accolade! (Right-hand photo by Michael Meerlo) |
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The SR goes on track |
4 HAC - Richard Budd's alloy bodied Sprite which was originally intended for production
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46 BXN again |
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Brian Archer, Chris Clegg & son Charlie - with Whizzo Williams (ctr) and Charlie's new Sebring (rt)
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Tom Coulthard |
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EAO (photo Michael Meerlo) |
WJB (photo Michael Meerlo) |
Paul Woolmer's Super Sprite |
JJO flies past on one more lap |
For Sunday - the whole event moved to Goodwood House itself, and we awoke to clear blue skies and glorious sunshine. What an idyllic location to show off the array of cars in the Concours d'Elegance and other vehicles in front of the stately home with its sweeping views over Lord March's beautiful country estate. The historic cars gathered in a car park to one side of the house and I was able to cheekily sneak JJO in amongst them. Paul Woolmer was busy again, this time arranging small groups of cars to go for demonstration runs up the hill which is used as a speed hill climb in the annual Festival of Speed weekend. I was able to join one of these runs, and also accompanied Brian Archer as he took S221 for an airing. The weather was perfect and the band was playing as spectators took coffee on the lawn in front of the main house. At one stage Bill McDonough was seen to be playing his saxophone in the band - he fixes all things relating to diffs and gearboxes (Hardy Engineering). Tours around the house were going on, one of which we joined in the afternoon, before partaking of a cream tea in the ballroom. Soon afterwards the party began to break up but what an absolutely amazing three days we had had at an ideal venue. Our thanks go out to all those involved in putting on this prestigious event for the great pleasure of all who attended.
A good line-up of Sprites |
The four Williams & Pritchard bodied Sprinzel Coupés line up together (with others) |
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- and back views |
JJO joins the historic WSMs |
White's 52 LPH and
4 HAC |
WJB and EAO |
Jack Wheeler off to the hill |
Lumbertubs heads off |
Tony Bending's Sprite |
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From the Lumbertubs Sprite (photos Dave Owen) |
Bill McDonnough on Sax |
6 cylinder Frog!!!!! |
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EAO's engine bay |
Brian Archer drives S221 |
Sebrings head up the hill |