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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

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Sebring Sprite Latest News

Latest News ~ July 2025

Eddie Maher and XSP Engines

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird has drawn my attention to this fascinating article which has been compiled by Keith Dodd (of Mini Spares fame). It includes numerous details relating to the spec' of various XSP engine built at Morris Engines, Courthouse Green, Coventry. https://www.minispares.com/blog/2024/08/12/making-of-the-coopers-with-eddie-maher/

 

Dave O'Neill's Spare Parts For Sale

XSP/FJ EN40 8-bolt crankshaft AEA461 std/std £995
Cooper S AEG521 conrods £125
1098 (10CC) complete engine £425
Armstrong adjustable rear dampers (pair) £550
Frogeye ventilated steel wheels (5) £250
Differentials 4.9 & 5.3
Contact Dave by Email
or Phone: +44 7803 231283
 

Graham Maggs' Amazing Repaint Job

G Maggs
G Maggs
GMaggs
GMaggs

GMaggs

Graham tells me: "I have changed the colour of my Sebring Sprite and wondered if it would be possible to post for me on the Sebring Sprite website. I have hand brush-painted my car from its grey/silver livery to a bright blue livery with a bright yellow bib. This was done under a 3x4m gazebo on my driveway at home between the 1st to the 10th May and completed just in time to enter one of the Shelsley Walsh driving school days on the 13th May. The weather was fantastic as was the whole day on the hill".


GMaggs
 
100UFM

Paul Watson R.I.P

 

I was sorry to learn that Paul Watson, owner of Sebring Sprite 100 UFM, has recently died and send our condolences to his wife and family. I understand that Paul's widow is selling both his Sprites, the Sebring and another both of which are Shorrock supercharged.

 

Girling Brake Pads and Shoes

I noted recently that Ken Grasing was having difficulty locating racing quality brake pads for his Girling Type 10 front calipers. I recalled that they were the same as those fitted at the rear on early Lotus Elans, confirmed by Emma Jacobs on the Facebook group. She referred him to www.questmead.co.uk and the MGB524 pad shape. They seem to have various materials available. Alternatively Aldon Automotive may be able to assist. Next, Ken wants some race linings for the 8" rear brakes of his Sebring (as on Riley 1.5) - Any suggestions out there?

 

 

Latest News ~ June 2025

Rare 1961 Le Mans footage comes to light

Nick Skipworth, who owns the Ecurie Ecosse Sprite replica has sent me this message recently:
" Youtube has thrown up some interesting footage of the Ecosse Sprite at Le Mans in 1961. David Murray's personal movie record of the Ecosse story has been uploaded in 3 one hour movies. Both 1413WD and 1411WD feature in the 61 film around minute 35. There is some wonderful colour footage of the Sprite and the Cooper Monaco before the race.
https://youtu.be/HnFpMyBJbQU
The other film that has turned up is a French movie of 1961 race.
The camera man capturing the crash of 1413WD and Bill McKay being thrown from the car. 1413WD crashes around minute 14.00 in the film. Hope your not squeamish". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWWu_fw0ulM

 

A message from Alex Schmitt in Hamburg, Germany.

Alex
Alex
Alex
Alex

Hi Martin, I hope you are doing well?
We happily give you an update from Hamburg on our Sebring Coupe for the Website. Sven and us (Alex & Jochen) visited the UK back in April for a Trackday at Goodwood with two Sebrings, visiting some people and friends and capping off the week with a visit of the Goodwood Members Meeting. We had a great day at Goodwood, unfortunately Sven had an issue with the clutch after lunch but our car ran without an issue. Running the car for the first time on Dunlop Racing tyres we have been able to do a lot of set-up and development work on the car and are happy in the direction we are moving with the car. In two weeks time we will do again together with Sven a trackday with both cars, this time at Bilster Berg, Besides that we are currently evaluating the European racing calendar to check the options for some racing in 2025.
A highlight for us and especially for Sven was the visit at your place to receive the Brian Archer Trophy for the year 2024. Once again a big thank you to your wife Susan and yourself for your warm welcome and hospitality.
We will happily keep you updated. Best regards from Hamburg and please greet Susan as well, Alex

 

 

Latest News ~ May 2025

Nikolaj E. Mortensen has the following parts for sale

NOS 1098 10CG crankshaft - £750
NOS 1275 12CC crankshaft - £950
Speedwell Door handles used - £300
NOS Speedwell AMP gauge in original box - £285
NOS Speedwell oil temp gauge in original box - £285
10 x 12G940 bare cylinder heads - £ 150 each
12G295 cylinder head bare - £200
12G206 cylinder head - £300
12G1279 1275 Midget engine block with caps on std bore - £500
22G229 1275 gearbox complete - £500
Sprite / Midget armstrong adjustable rear damper "only 1" - £250
Cooper S / Midget 1275 steel con rod set - £300
Midget 1275 sump - £200
Full race 970cc FJ engine in parts with steel crank and Cooper S engine block - £3000

All of these can be sent or brought to Silverstone Festival. Contact Nikolaj on +45 50 90 67 10 or by email

 

SEBRING SPRITE REPLICA WITH SPEEDWELL MOINZA BONNET BASED ON 1960 SPRITE

9957RE
9957 RE
9957RE
9957RE

Currently for sale on Ebay at £11,995 Seller can be contacted on 0791 867 3915

 

Latest News ~ April 2025

Mint Green

WANTED
Jez Hayter is looking for a Fastback bodied Sebring Sprite, preferably with 'A' Series engine and gearbox. He is also after a pair of sliding door handles like the Speedwell ones shown right. If you can help, please contact Jez Hayter by email if you can assist. Many thanks.

Speedwell Handles
 

XSP Engine query

Wayne Fitzgerald is in Australia and has a Moke with a transverse A series 1275cc with a XSP prefix engine serial number XSP 2699/10. The Moke does not have an Australian compliance plate or any other obvious serial numbers to date the vehicle. So far he has not been able to find much information on the Moke build status or anything on XSP engines except Formula Junior and my Technical article on these engines.

If you can assist him please contact him via his email.

 

 

Latest News ~ March 2025

STRAIGHT CUT CLOSE RATIO GEARBOX FOR SALE - £750
(works well but inclined to jump out of 1st gear)

Also some Avon CR6ZZ tyres on powder-coated black steel rims.

For further information please email Morgan Sparrow.

 

Derek Stewart is thinking of offering his Sebring Fastback NOW SOLD

DS
DS
DS
some earlier images below
674 VMX
674 vmx
674 vmx
674 vmx
This car is unique in having a Coventry Climax engine and Toyota 5-speed gearbox. A Sebring Fastback with bodywork by Archers Garage and built to a high standard. If interested please email Derek for more details. 674 VMX

 

 

Latest News ~ February 2025

Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Coupé body kit For Sale

D Lovegrove
D Lovegrove
D Lovegrove
D Lovegrove

Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Coupé fibreglass bodywork for sale. Used as bucks for alloy body project so some minor detail mods made/required. Located at Clanfield, on Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire borders. Buyer collects, sold as seen.

Offers around £1,000 for complete set, to David Lovegrove, via email please.

 

Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite Replica For sale

S Boardman
SBoardman
SBoardman
S Boardman

Based on a 1963 Austin Healey Sprite, now fully restored, with steel body and rear end plus an Archers fibreglass bonnet and hardtop, painted in California sage green. Fitted with a 950cc engine bored out to +60 fitted with flat top pistons on later fully floating lightened and balanced con rods. Brand new nos crankshaft (std/std). Uprated camshaft (CA4), 206 casting cylinder head with tubular exhaust manifold with side exit, running H4 SU carbs on Healey manifold. Standard gearbox with new type oil seal conversion, lightened flywheel with 9 spring type clutch. Full bolt in roll cage with removable door side bars (not currently fitted). Front with lowered and stiffer road springs, rear has 1/4 elliptic with rare Armstrong adjustable shock absorbers. Alloy radiator with electric cooling fan.

Looking for offers around £14,000 (Based in Tarporley ,Cheshire).
If interested please contact Simon Boardman on 07885 583715 or by email

 
wjj 998

Laurence Maudslay is offering his Archer Sebring Replica for sale on racecarsdirect.com at £17,500
For more information go to: link

 

Latest News ~ January 2025

Sebring Sprite Project For Sale

Kurt
Kurt Barker has asked me to offer his project for sale.
Located in Lincoln, UK it includes:
Rolling chassis: 1970 MG Midget, 1275cc engine dyno’d at 59bhp in 2020 , with a single HIF44 carb, tubular exhaust manifold and stainless system. The car is fitted with Minilight alloys, rebuilt diff, Magic Midget front springs and larger anti-roll bar, MGB front damper conversion, rear springs have lowering blocks fitted. Dashboard is an immaculate restored replacement. Alloy gearknob and steering wheel. Midget windscreen. Oil cooler.

Bodywork: Front SS bonnet, Sprite Mk1 GRP doors, Sprite Mk1 GRP rear body including infill panels. Midget doors and bootlid come with the project, and a genuine steel Mk1 Sprite door. Paperwork: The donor car is a 1970 (J reg) MG Midget with a V5 in my name, restored in the 90’s and there is a comprehensive photo history of this. There’s also a thick folder of invoices for parts, past and present.
The car was driven regularly until mid-2021 until I took it off the road to begin the project.

NOW SOLD

 


Kurt
Kurt
Kurt
Kurt
Kurt
Kurt
Kurt

 

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Earlier items can be found at News 2024, News 2023, News 2022, News 2021, News 2020, News 2019, News 2018, News 2017, News 2016, News 2015, News 2014, News 2013, News 2012, News 2011 or News 2010

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