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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

 

News 2015

News~ December 2015

WISHING ALL FOLLOWERS OF THE WEBSITE A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL 2016 ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ashley Ad

3758 UE
3758 UE - news from Ian Grainger
"3758 UE was displayed on the Ashley stand at the 1960 Sports Car Show and then used in contemporary adverts for Ashley. In the 1990s I tried and succeeded in tracing this car. As can be seen in the photo (left below) taken in 1999 the Sprite had lost the Ashley bonnet and hardtop. The then owner of the car had no knowledge of its history, even though he had owned the car since 1978. The Sprite was equipped with the complete Girling brake set-up, hence the wire wheels. It, therefore, can be classified as a Sebring Sprite. I can only speculate that the car was prepared by the Donald Healey Motor Company at The Cape, hence the Warwick registration, to Sebring spec. for Ashley Laminates for the 1960 Sports Car Show. I had hoped to buy this car but the owner part exchanged it for a Jensen Interceptor through a dealer in Cheshire. The car has since 'disappeared', unless someone out there knows of its whereabouts. Happy New Year. Regards Ian".
Barry McCann
A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR BARRY McCANN
" Thanks to Andrew Forster at Archers Garage, Santa has come early for me and left his sleigh behind! Finally I have my Sebring Sprite at home - 8 more years and it might be ready for an MOT..." [From Facebook]
Barry McCann
CCK
Christmas Card
from CCK Historic
HEALEY MUSEUM NEWSFLASH/CHRISTMAS CARD
During the Museum's 3rd birthday celebration on November 29th a new sponsor agreement with auction house BONHAMS was announced.
...and the personal Austin Healey 100/100S Coupe of DMH recently auctioned by Bonhams is now on display in the museum - as also is the only Duncan Healey. The museum has also acquired the Nash Healey archive from Bill Emerson.
Healey Museum

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & BEST WISHES FOR 2016
TO ALL MY GOOD FRIENDS AND CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS WEBSITE AS WELL AS TO ALL THOSE WHO VIEW ITS PAGES ON A REGULAR OR AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR MESSAGES, PHOTOS AND SNIPPETS OF INFORMATION ALL OF WHICH MAKE ITS GROWTH & UPDATES POSSIBLE.

MORE ON XSP ENGINES

James Thacker has kindly sent me through a copy of the Cooper Formula Junior parts list. The front page shows the various engine capacities, with their bore and stroke of each, which may be of interest:
1960 Engine Prefix XSP/1462 - Bore 2.537" - Stroke 3" - Capacity 995cc
1961 Engine Prefix XSP/1717 - Bore 2.537" - Stroke 3" - Capacity 995cc
1962 Engine Prefix - XSP/1722 - Bore 2.667" - Stroke 3" - Capacity 1100cc
1963 Engine Prefix XSP/2036 - Bore 2.82" - Stroke 2.6875" - Capacity 1100cc
1964 Engine Prefix XSP/2224 - Bore 2.82" - Stroke 2.4375" - Capacity 999cc
[Standard BMC engines were:
948 - Bore 2.478" - Stroke 3" - Capacity 948cc
1100 - Bore 2.543 - Stroke 3.296" - Capacity 1098cc
1275 - Bore 2.78" - Stroke 3.2" - Capacity 1275cc]

Will Corry
CONGRATULATIONS to Will Corry who recently won an A Series Challenge race against seriously quick machinery in a horrendously wet Donington. His first ever race win. As he says "Good to keep the Sebring in front of those Minis!"

Will Corry
Will Corry
Healey Ch Plate
HEALEY CHASSIS PLATE on ebay at £10 each (from Australia). For those with original 'works' cars where the plate went missing!!
SPEEDWELL GT
article from
Classic & Sportscar in 2011
Click on photo to read:
Playing Rt Tunes
SPEEDWELL BLUE paint colour. Ray English says: "I have the original Formula for Speedwell Blue (BU.1): WTT.1 White - 59½%, BUT.3 Light Blue - 12½%, GRT.1 Light Grey - 26 %, RDT.6 Purple Oxide -2 % [ICI Information - Speedwell Blue-01 ICI - 3131]".
1411wd
1411 WD and PMO 200
Colin Barnett sent in these 2 shots. Left, from the Car & Car Conversions tuning BMC sports cars book from 1969, is one of 1411 WD's under-bonnet, and right is JS in the 1958 Alpine Rally version of PMO, here I think at at Silverstone.
Sprinzel

WHOOPS!!! SO MUCH FOR MY GEOGRAPHY!
"Hi Martin, re: Bob Blayden's trip,
You have no "pedant of the month" column, but nevertheless, the trip and the whole region is so wonderful, please do not send our friends to France for the Stelvio! The Stelvio or Stilfser Joch is located in Italy and part of an adventurous route to/from Switzerland! Was it the wider view from OZ or are their Spridgets so fast, they still believe to be in France when travelling from UK to Italy?? Regards, Juergen"

Stelvio
STELVIO PASS
Bob Blayden took this photo of his car after climbing the Stelvio in France back in October. The car is now ship-board heading home to Australia.
FALCON SPRITE STEERING WHEEL Read Mike Lempert's fascinating story of the original wheel in "Your Comments", and see his replicas in "Parts Suppliers"
Falcon wheel
Pruitt Frog
SPEEDWELL BLUE ?
Brett Pruitt in Hawaii is rebuilding his Bugeye "as close as we can get to John Sprinzel's 1958 Alpine Rally car. The car is finally ready for paint after over a year delay working on the body shell. I am hoping you, or your readers, could help me find a modern paint formula (Dupont, PPG) for Speedwell Blue. I have searched high and low here in the States no one has a formula, or modern paint code, that I could find". If anyone can help please send me Feedback
PROGRESS ON PEDAL BOXES AND SIDE-SCREENS
I understand that the first "five pedal boxes are under construction and the other twenty are being bent up ready for welding". Andrew was last week awaiting a delivery of aluminium channel sections due to arrive on Friday 11th, so he shortly be in a position to bend up some new frames (8 pairs currently on order).
9252 WD
9252 WD
9252 WD
9252 WD
9252 WD
New photos have come from former owner of this 1962/3 Sebring car, John Fenwick, kindly scanned and sent in by David Lewington. The car was subsequently written off and we hope to find out more details as to exactly what happened to it.
Sebring 61
Sebring 61
Sebring61
Abarth
The first of the SPEEDWELL GTs at the 1960 Racing Car Show bearing the number PMO 200
[from the Revs Gallery]
PMO 200
SEBRING 3 HOURS - 1961, above, from Sportscar Digest.
Stirling and Pat Moss with Sprinzel's Coupes, and on the right, one of the Abarth 1000 GTs that beat them.
vuj 708
NAO SASAKI'S
ex-Archers Garage 'K' series engined Sebring still looks in great condition - seen here at the Fuji Speedway in Japan.
LENHAM P70 SPIDER
It was only Sprites that Lenham Motor Co built. This sports-racing car is currently on the market at £125,000. Link
Lenham P70

PAUL TSIKURIS
Hi Martin , I was interested to see Paul's name mentioned. I have met Paul on lots of occasions, his workshops and home are nestled in a heavily wooded area of Lakeland, Florida. His work is of a very high standard and he is responsible for many of his customers winning concours events. In the past  Donald  Healey visited him. The Falcon Sprite is in good hands. regards Pete (Taylor).

HNX

HNX 455D FOR SALE WITH CCK HISTORIC

Jim Prentice's ex-works Sebring/Le Mans streamliner has come down from Scotland and is now on the market.
See the CCK Historic Blog

HNX
3 MESSAGES FROM JAMES THACKER ON XSP ENGINES ON THE "YOUR COMMENTS" PAGE.
THE FALCON SPRITE
I was pleased to hear from Roger Sieling that the damaged shell is now with Tsikuris Classics of Lakeland, Florida for repair.
Ashley Ad
A COUPLE OF PHOTOS FROM ROBERT CLUBBE
A rather nice advert for early Ashley bonnets and hardtops shows a Warwick registration plate, and 7080 AC in action presumably driven either by Jack Wheeler or Martin Davidson. I'm not sure when it was painted in this light colour.
7080 AC
2 NEW WEB PAGES START TODAY
The first is about XSP engines, the special race and rally units produced by Morris Engines Branch for Healey and other BMC cars over a considerable period. We are looking for more numbers to build a comprehensive list so please let me have any information you can contribute. The XSP Engines page can also be found via 'Technical' being last on the drop-down list.

THE SECOND NEW WEB PAGE IS "PARTS SUPPLIERS"
a list of which I plan to build up over the coming months. I have made a start with Orson Equipment who recently manufactured a batch of wire wheel hubs specifically for Sebring Sprites. Further suggestions/contributions would be gratefully received.


Margot

MARGOT HEALEY

Geoff Healey's widow, Margot died on Monday 30th November. Her daughters, Cecilia and Kate tell us that she had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease for sometime. There is to be a private funeral ceremony which is what she wanted. No flowers please but any donations to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) would be much appreciated.

Donor
DONER CAR ?
Mark 2 Sprite on ebay
SOLD at £1400
Expired 11 Dec
ANOTHER
RWA Midget on ebay
NO BIDS
Expired 8 Dec
Donor

ROGER FRIEND'S CHRISTMAS SALE


RF
RF
RF
RF

[ALL SOLD IN 24 HRS but engine still sought] A pair of brand new never fitted or painted Alloy doors £300
A Donald Healey Lightweight bucket seat never used but needs the squab re;doing £75. A pair of rear adjustable Spax shocks with mounting brackets 100 miles only (while waiting for my Armstrong adjustables to arrive ) £50.
WANTED: a 948 engine with standard bores and standard crank, not bored or ground. Contact Roger (Watford, UK).

NEW BADGES IN STOCK AT ARCHERS
Prices are
£15.95 for the Sebring one and £23.95 for the Sprinzel one, the latter now having blue enamel rather than paint so looks better quality than before. Archers
THOSE 3 RACING SPRITES

John Hopwood still has his car, 559 LPJ (right) but Alastair Chalmers sold his much-modified and by then non-period GSK 113 to Europe (?Pieter Bakker). Graham Bloor then sold 712PTB to Alastair who raced it, had several minor craHopwoodshes, started to sort it and then took it with him to NeHopwoodw Zealand where he plans to race it. The photo of the 3 cars must have been taken in 1991 or 1992 as John converted his car to full FIA Sebring spec in 1993, with all steel panels, wire wheels and BMC hardtop. Regrettably due to his scrutineering commitments he has been managing only one outing a year of late but the car is sat in his garage ready to go! Photo below right is from an Austin Healey Club race at Oulton 1991 or 2.

PHIL GARDNER
on colours & wire wheel half-shafts. See "Your Comments"
Hopwood
Speedwell Plaque
It would seem you can buy a new copy of the Speedwell garage plaque from "Air-Cooled Accessories". But maybe Ian Watts' example is an original.
[John Ruth]
948 Crank
CRANKSHAFT NUMBERS
John Poulter found this photo of a 948 crank in the USA showing the number 829 like Tony's. Is his just a modified example: "Your Comments"?

XSP ENGINES
It has been suggested that I open a web page about the special competition engines built by Morris Engines and issued with the XSP prefix. At present I know only some very basic information on the subject. If readers would like to submit details of their XSP motors or any build knowledge they have, it might enable me to begin to create an engine page.
[Of course there were XSP engines built for many other than than Sprites such as Minis, Healey 3000s and MGAs so maybe we will want to restrict this to the in-line 995,1098 and 1275cc engines?]

Bowman
CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JOHN BOWMAN to all Sebring Sprite enthusiasts he may just have missed of his list (left). The line-up of Sebring Reps of John Hopwood, Alistair Chalmers and Graham Bloor at Donington Park around 1991 or 2. Group photo is from our Beaujolais run in 1990 - a young Dave Matthews on left, Bob Kemp with Rollie and me in centre in cream jacket!
Bowman
CARB FOULING & TOUGHENED HALFSHAFTS - Comments from Juergen Schaefer in Germany. See "Your Comments"
Speedwell Plaque
IAN WATTS' SPEEDWELL PLAQUE
Ian (who owns Sebring Rep ESL 168) bought this 8" dia cast metal plaque at an antiques centre south of Stratford. Does anyone know of its history or of any others?
Send Feedback if you can help,

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Juergen Schaefer; Ian Watts; John Bowman; John Poulter; John Ruth; Phil Gardner; Roger Sieling; Roger Friend; Andrew Forster; John Hopwood; Jim Proffit; Neil Anderson; James Thacker; Robert Clubbe; Paul Webb; David Lewington; Pete Taylor; Nao Sasaki; Brett Pruitt; Colin Barnett; Mike Lempert; Bob Blayden; Ray English; Will Corry; CCK Historic; Healey Museum NL; Barry Mc Cann; Ian Grainger.

 

News ~ November 2015

CAN ANYONE HELP IDENTIFY THIS CRANKSHAFT OWNED BY TONY GIORDANO?
Tony is curious about the history of this crankshaft which came in a BMC box along with a whole cache of parts including a 948cc engine numbered 9C---355 engine he acquired some years  ago. The crank has the following numbers stamped on it in 3 locations: BB 38 AX; 4829; 1481; and in 2 locations: EEL5309 and V OR M 2CT3CR. Can anyone tell him what they mean?
crank
Crank
crank
crank
BONNET/CARB FOULING
I have added photos from Phil Gardner showing his modified manifold, on "Your Comments".
Crank
crank
crank
2743 SP
A POSSIBLE DONOR CAR
currently being offered on ebay at £1,120 exp 2 Dec - needs new shell
Not all brake light switches are created equal! This nearly new switch failed causing total loss of brakes during the roller brake test on an MOT. Fortunately not Gordon Higgs' Sebring rep!!
Brake Light
FOR THOSE ASSEMBLING THEIR OWN SEBRING PEDAL BOXES:
Powertrack Limited
(01753) 842680 tell me they "can supply Girling 3/4" and 5/8" integral brake master cylinders (with standard push rods) from stock, priced at £59.50 each + VAT. We can also supply about 6 of the clutch master cylinder push rods (3.5") to your specifications, but not the longer brake rod size; at least not with a fixed clevis matching the clutch rod. We can supply a suitable brake push rod, but with the adjustable clevis and lock nut. These longer rods with clevis and lock nut are priced to you at £10.00 + VAT each". Steve Casson also tells me that Raceparts (01491 822000) sell the longer push rods for the master cylinders.  They do a 6" long one which he used and cut to the correct length. " They may also be able to help with master cylinders - they stock a 3/4" and sometimes have 7/8"." 
R Sands Rep
R Sands Rep
RSands Rep
R Sands Rep
R Sands Rep
RICHARD SANDS' FASTBACK REP NEARS COMPLETION

Based on a 62 Sprite converted to the later 1/2 elliptic rear suspension , anti-tramp bars, and Panhard rod. Front damper top arm links to make a wishbone.  1340cc fully lightened and balanced auto sprint motor 40DCOE Weber, full stainless exhaust system, Ford MT75 gearbox with modified Rover 75 hydraulic slave cylinder. Painted in Ferrari geo titanio. With custom red leather interior. It just needs minor detailing to finish.
[It's interesting to see how each car has a slightly different specification even down to using different heater units and brake/clutch master cylinders. MEI]


776 KNX FINDS NEW HOME

Collector Stephen A Bruno plans to recommission the '64 Sebring race car to show it, and to use it, sparingly, in vintage racing. He also owns another Healey, a 1948 Westland, (Bill Emerson's old car) that he intends to use in the Mille Miglia.

776 KNX
MORE ON CARB/BONNET
fouling from Gordon Higgs.
AND NEWS FROM PHIL ZAMLYNSKI - all on the "Your Comments" page
Joe 8
NEIL BLANEY'S CARBS TOUCH THE SEBRING BONNET
He has asked Phil Gardner about the swan neck inlet manifold Maniflow made for him. Phil replies: see "Your Comments". Anyone else any suggestions: Feedback
Joe 12
Phil Gardner
Phil Gardner
PHIL GARDNER'S FASTBACK

has done a number of proving miles and will soon go on a rolling road for fine tuning. See its Full Spec 

Phil Gardner
Colour chart

Bruno Verstraete has kindly sent me this period colour chart for Sprites and other BMC cars.
DHMC Mk2
WARWICK DHMC MK2 HARDTOP Fittings. Paul Webb had a batch of 20 aluminium wingnuts cast after finding that the Cape Internationals items were too big and had a 5/16" thread rather than the 1/4" thread needed. He has some available. Email him.
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES
I am pleased to inform all those wanting these items that a batch of 25 has been commissioned for production over the coming weeks. These will be powder-coated in either red or black depending on the customer's requirements and will be supplied either as a basic kit comprising the box itself, pedals and alloy spacing block only, OR as a complete assembly to include master cylinders, rods, springs, etc ready to fit. I have no prices as yet so please bear with me. There are some difficulties in obtaining the correct master cylinders and particularly the operating rods, one of which is approximately 3½" long and the other is 5" long. I am aware that some people fit the Sebring pedal box for use in conjunction with the later Spridget Lockheed brakes for which a ¾" bore master cylinder may be more suitable than the one used on Sebring Sprites which were only ⅝". For these various reasons some may wish to source their own cylinders and operating rods. More news coming soon.
Side screens
SEBRING SIDESCREENS
I hardly dare mention this (after 13 people came forward wanting pedal boxes) but it might be useful to know how many people are in need of side-screens?
I now have 7 on my list. Feedback
Model
Hiroshi Takemori kindly sent me this tiny model from Japan. Made by Katsuhiro Sugimoto who owns a Sebring Rep, it is just 1 inch long. He made only 20 of them for fellow members of AHCJ and friends.
Skinners Union

Bet you didn't know SU stands for Skinners Union!
A new book just released by Mike Harvey has over 300 pages with copious photographs, drawings & illustrations and tells the story of the S.U. Company and the members of the Skinner family involved. Available from burlen.co.uk (Part Number: ALT 9527)   Price £20

WSM Story

THE WSM STORY

Jeff Eakin, editor of Austin-Healey Club USA's magazine has put together this fascinating 18 page article written by myself, Tony Wilson-Spratt, Bill Emerson and Lorraine Noble-Thompson. Click on the magazine cover to read the full PDFile.
[SORRY! These links were initially incorrect ]

HALLS GARAGE
Morton Nr. Bourne Lincs.
Fitting of Sebring Sprite kits.
We manufacture the Tifosi SS kit and would only be too happy to assist anyone who is building one. Our SS race car is available for anyone to look at.
Steve Hall

SEBRING PEDAL BOXES

I seem to have given myself quite a task in mentioning the availability of these items yesterday. I was aware that at least one person had been waiting a long time for one so decided to relieve Andrew of the problem by taking what parts he had and assembling them. I have parts (excluding master cylinders) for 2 but to date have 11 (yes, eleven) enquiries. So please bear with me folks while I see what can be done to get some made up and assembled - no mean feat. The boxes have to be fabricated and welded together, pedals have to be laser cut and fitted with pivot bushes and the actual pedal rectangle and bronze bushes. Each pedal box has an aluminium spacing block so I need a supply of those. Then numerous parts need to be obtained including the master cylinders, various bolts, return springs and foam pads. One of the 2 master cylinders uses a longer rod than standard so these may also need to be modifed, extended or exchanged.

Tony Giordano 10
AMERICAN RACING MARK 2 FOR SALE
Raced by Ray Cuomo Jnr at Bridgehampton in period.
Asking price is $22,000 (£14,500) (See web page)
Has a VSCCA Log Book, rust-free, ready to go with 1098cc engine, straight cut gears, etc. Contact Tony Giordano.
OWO 979
Pedal box
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES
As Andrew has recently been unable to complete any new pedal boxes I collected parts for 2 more from him at the weekend. A small amount of welding and painting is needed and master cylinders to buy. Then they will be available as and when required. If you want one let me know.
GEOFF HILL'S WSM
OWO 979, created a lot of interest in the company of Pat Moss's rally AH 3000 on the AHC stand at the NEC (above)
9253WD
CLASSIC CAR SHOW - NEC BIRMINGHAM 13 Nov 2015
A fantastic show was held at the NEC over the weekend. There was so much to see I couldn't cover it all but I did find Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird's now-restored ex-works Sebring Mk2 looking great on the Midget & Sprite Club stand.
I presented him with the Ian Ashfield trophy for this year.
Jonathan
xxc
xxc
TREVOR MCILROY & XXC
ended the season 3rd overall in the Historic class of the N. Ireland championship despite Trevor's skiing mishap.
xxc
A PROJECT FOR SOMEONE
or perhaps a Sebring donor car. Was on ebay for £1,000 [Seems to have been withdrawn]
KCW 154
Side Screens
MORE EARLY SIDE-SCREENS
on ebay at £35 exp 16 Nov
Don't look as good as the last pair which fetched £156
Mike Wylie's "wish was to be carried in an Armstrong Siddley Hearse, one is coming from England to fulfill that wish". Fantastic.
I am sure that all my fellow Sprite enthusiasts join me in sending our sincere condolences to all of Mike's family and friends.
Trevor McIlroy has kindly agreed to represent us all at the funeral ceremony.

MICHAEL CHARLES WYLIE
 (Mike, The Autonumerologist)
. Died 7 November, 2015, peacefully at home following a short illness.  Beloved and loving husband of Margot, much loved father of David, Johnny and Susan, and father-in-law of LuArmstrongke.  A service of thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday 17 November, 2015, in the Church of St John Baptist, Helens Bay at 1.30pm, followed by a private family committal at Roselawn Crematorium.  Family flowers only please - donations in lieu, if desired, to Asthma Research Queens University Belfast, Development & Alumni Relations Office, QUB, Belfast, BT7 1NN and Marie Curie, Kensington Road, Belfast, BT5 6NF (cheques made payable and sent directly to the charity please).  In life he lived for those he loved and those he loved remember.
[Following the service all friends are invited to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra, for a few drinks in celebration of Mike’s life.  The family will join everyone else after the private committal.]

Pete Farmer
DHMC TALL SIDE-SCREENS
Pete Farmer has now sold all his newly-made stock.
Add your name to my list for the next batch: Feedback
COLOUR OF ARMSTRONG REAR SHOCKS - Roger Friend says "the original colour is very hard to describe. It's like a purplish metallic colour or a pinky gold. The best people to contact is Stevsons Motors who are still repairing them. They bought all the original stock from Armstrong when they closed down".
COLOUR OF ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCKERS
Ken Grasing tells me: "I have three second-hand sets of these, which I have just inspected, and each are either the natural aluminum finish or painted gloss black.  Hope this helps". 
TIM SCHOFIELD
When Sven Eckhardt recently took delivery of the historic rally/race Sprite, formerly 4444 DA it became apparent from its file that Tim Schofield had campaigned the car for nearly 20 years between 1968 and '88. Does anyone know whether he is still around and how to contact him? Feedback please.
DTA 949C
NEWLY BUILT SEBRING REP
now reduced in price to only £16,500
See "For Sale page"
PARTS FOR SALE IN BELGIUM
Jean-Paul Decorty has for sale: Midget RWA in need of restoration, £1150, plus: Hard top, 2 front GRP wings, a ribcase gearbox (£150), rear axle 4.55 (£55), cylinder head with polished ports but no valves (£55), and a LHD steel dashboard (£150). Contact him if interested.
Bob Spruck
Bob Spruck
Bob Spruck
Bob Spruck

FROM BOB SPRUCK OF SHARPSBURG, GEORGIA, USA:
" Last March, I bought a Bugeye and am completing the rotisserie restoration it has undergone. It has a Healey hardtop and I was fortunate to find a guy on the Spridget List who had a set of tall side curtains he could not use. I haven't been able to find a serial number so assume it is a replica. Can you tell me where the serial number is located?
My car was registered in Louisiana and in Georgia as a 1961 and the serial number is listed as AN5L 3317. The year is wrong and I think the serial number is also. It probably is not 3317 so I assume one digit is missing - maybe it should be something like 3317X. I registered it as a '61 and as 3317 in order to avoid any hassles. It is Speedwell blue with a white hardtop, 1275, aluminum head, Datsun 5-speed, disc brakes, wire wheels, 1 1/2" SUs, gear reduction starter, alternator, brand new tires, and a $500 Lempert steering wheel. No hood or frame. Everything is new - not a speck of rust or corrosion or any used parts. I am installing carpet, tonneau, rollbar, competition lap and shoulder belts, Raydyot mirrors, and plan to convert to front hinged bonnet. The Bugeye is a companion to my restored '72 Midget, my '67 Midget that I have been vintage racing for the past 25 years, and the 6 parts cars out in my woods. Great website, by the way. Bob Spruck."

96 RPE
WHO WAS THE DRIVER?
Terry Cowan bought this photo on ebay - Brands Hatch 1965
Can anyone name the driver?
Feedback please.
9253CLUTCH STOP
It seems DHMC used this mod' on many of their cars including 510 DWD and both of Joe Armour's ex-works Healeys. He says: "Roger Menadue and his team were usually responsible for these hand made items produced in their small workshop".

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

Blayden
Blayden
Blayden
Blayden

Bob Blayden and his mate, Russell Baldwin, both from New South Wales have now completed their month-long European tour in Bob's Sebring Rep. When they flew in to Heathrow at the end of September Bob was dismayed to find the shippers had diverted the container ship to Rotterdam and there would be a delay in off-loading his car in England. In consequence they had to hire a car for the first week of their trip taking in a historic race meeting at Castle Combe and visits to Brooklands, Gaydon and Archers Garage, calling on family in Surrey before finally collecting the little green car in London on October 5th. It started on the button after its 6 week sojourn, and the following day we commenced our trip in convoy to the Netherlands, and the Healey Museum, which I reported last month. By the Wednesday evening they were off to the Nurburgring where they enjoyed a rapid circuit in a Porsche 911. Next was the Porsche Museum at Stuttgart, then the Mille Miglia museum at Brescia as they headed south to Bob's daughter's home at Sienna in Italy. En route they took in the Alfa, Maserati and Ferrari Museums, a race meeting at Mugello, tackled the Stelvio, drove around the Monaco track and called in at the old Rheims pits. Finally the long drive back to Dunkerque, crossing back over to visit Brighton and a race day at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately the latter was curtailed by thick fog - marshals being unable to see their neighbouring posts. Over 3,500 miles the little car never missed a beat and had only one minor glitch when a cable came adrift on the dip switch. As Bob said "A trip of a lifetime". He was quite exhausted by the end and flew off last week to visit his other daughter in Singapore for a well-earned rest. By this time they should both be back in Aus awaiting the arrival of the little car back home sometime in December.

Blayden
Blayden
Blayden
Blayden
 
Mike

MICHAEL WYLIE

It was with great sadness that I learned that Mike Wylie had died. His son, David, writes of him below:

Mike

Mike

"Dad passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side early on Saturday (7th November) morning following a short illness.  No doubt he’s already at the great paddock bar talking opposite lock and other heroic deeds.
The Speedwell allowed him access to such wonderful events and people – and with such a strong connection to our family too.  He spoke often of the Pirelli Marathons, the adventure, the competition and comparing stage times with Stirling Moss at the top of the Stelvio.  He awaited John Sprinzel’s Christmas cards and other missives especially keenly – a friendship struck up as team-mates on ‘the Marathon’.  He was especially happy when Sprinzel (we have always referred to him as Sprinzel) came to congratulate us at Goodwood in 2006 for being first Sprite home ahead of ‘those pesky Wissums’!
His encouragement to use and abuse the Speedwell has always made it easy for me to drive it hard – perhaps it would be hard for him to do anything else having inverted it on a British Hill Climb Championship event 500 yards from our front door in Belfast! 
I hope that the Special Sprite community took as much pleasure from his interest in the cars as he took from yours.
I’ll update with funeral arrangements once they are known.
As Dad would have said… keep it between the ditches!
David Wylie"

[Our sincere condolences to David and his family. Some of Mike's exploits are on the 505 BZ web page]

9253 WD

9253 WD

9253 WD ~ THE PROOF

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird is a meticulous researcher of motoring history and finds it hard to reconcile John Harris's claim that the engine upgrade took place at his home. Jonathan has unearthed "the proof that the 1098 c.c. XSP engine (XSP 1973 - 6) currently sitting in 9253 WD was fitted by the Donald Healey Motor Co. Ltd., (along with its straight-cut, ribbed case gearbox) in preparation for the 1963 Sebring 3 Hour race, and duly registered by them at the Warwickshire County Council, Licence Office on the 15th March 1963. Previously, for Sebring in 1962, it had originally been fitted with a 995 c.c. XSP unit (XSP 1862 - 1)".

9253
Exhibit A
The original Healey chassis plate showing XSP 1973 - 6. By itself, it doesn't provide 100% proof, and Healeys' could have easily knocked out a new one for John Harris later on...
9253
9253
9253
9253
Exhibit B.
The original XSP engine number attached to the block.  Again, by itself...
Exhibit C.
The top, centre, rib of the ribbed-case, straight-cut gearbox stamped with "XSP 1973 - 6" and the date 1st January 1963. The 1962 item would have been a smooth-case unit.
Exhibit D.
The clutch fork 'stop'.  Not something that you'd especially knock together in the garage at home.
Exhibit E.
The engine bay of 9253 WD as it had survived upon acquiring the car in 2012.  N.B. the red coloured, hand-painted, letter and number "R4" on the bulkhead above the battery box.
9253
9253
9253
9253
Exhibit F.
Similar hand-painted lettering found beneath the glued down (John Harris fitted) carpets on the rear 'parcel shelf' behind the seats.  The large hole had been taped over from above. I have no idea what these letters (or hole) relate to, but they were obviously done at the same time, and by the same person, who did the front bulkhead.
Exhibit G.
The oil tank that's sits in the passenger footwell.  XSP 1973 - 6 is a dry-sump unit.  Again, John Harris makes no mention of this.  The level of workmanship here is very high and would be difficult to carry out in the garage at home!

The original buff logbook for 9253 WD with the D.H.M.C. as the first registered owner.
Exhibit I.
Logbook detail registering a change of engine from XSP 1862 - 1 to XSP 1973 - 6 on the 15th March 1963, with an official stamp from the Warwick County Council Licence Office.
9253
9253
9253
9253
Exhibit J.
Further logbook detail showing licence (road fund) duty paid stamps from Warwick C.C. for 1962, 1963 and up until the 28th February 1964.
Exhibit K (above left)
Now, put all that information together and combine it with this document that I discovered while trawling through the original Healey archives at the Healey Museum in Holland, during our recent visit in 2014. This is the original handwritten record (presumably made by Geoff) of the Healey 'works' team entry for Sebring in March 1963, when 9253 WD was used during practice only. Things to note for Sprite registered 9253 WD: "Healey Code No" column ... "R4" ... "Engine No" column ... "XSP 1973 - 6" ... need I go on?
Exhibit L.
Back to the original buff logbook for 9253 WD.  John Harris acquired and registered the car with Coventry Licensing Office on what appears to be the 29th December 1963.  All subsequent stampings for 1964 on the logbook are from Coventry.
BRYN ROSSITER
was briefly an owner of 5435 WD back in 1976 - another piece of the jigsaw. See "Your Comments" (30 Oct)
BOB HINCHLIFFE replies to David Scothorn's query about the photo of Sebring Sprites taking part in the relay at Silverstone. See "Your Comments" (19 Oct)
MORE FABRICATED WISHBONES
Chris Lord tells me ha has a pair of the King (standard camber) fabricated wishbones on his GAN4 Midget. Must be quite a few of these around it seems.
Fab wishbone
MIKE GARTON
wrote last month in the Austin-Healey Club's magazine Rev Counter about special Sprites. Click
96 RPE
This photo of 96 RPE (now owned by Terry Cowan in California) is currently being offered on ebay at £14.99 (exp 8 Nov).
It shows the car at Brands Hatch in 1965 (not one I've seen before).
BlaydenBlayden spotted (NL)
HRDC DONINGTON A-SERIES RACE ON 7TH NOVEMBER

Donington

Graham Robson will be back out with his WSM this coming weekend accompanied by 5 other
Spridgets as listed above. Why not go along and say hello?
entry

DHMC Mark 2 HARDTOP FITTINGS

Yell 08
DHMC Mk2
DHMC Mk2
DHMC Mk2

I was recently contacted by Mick Brown who is restoring his DHMC works Mk 2 hardtop but had mislaid the various fittings which secured it to the car. As I had no information on these I emailed 4 owners of such hardtops and received from them the very useful information described here. James Thacker gave me a detailed description: "At the front there is a hole in the inside of the reinforced section of the  hardtop  just above where it sits on the top of the screen and about four inches in from the outside. There is a bracket bolted to the upright pillar of the windscreen with a curved hook at the top, about two inches below the top of the pillar. Joining the two is an adjustable bracket with hooks either end on threaded bolts; one left hand thread,  going in to a stainless steel tube. At the rear, the hardtop has a bracket sticking below the front of the side quarter light which has a hole in it. Fixed just behind  the door “ B”  post is (the tube for the hood frame through which passes a) threaded rod with a hook on (which) is hooked into the hole in the bracket on the hardtop and the threaded section goes (through) the tube and is fixed with (an aluminium nut) and suitably large washers". [I have amended James' description slightly as I think his car lacks the hood fixing tubes] Colin Barnett and Julian Yell kindly suppled me with the photos shown above. Julian also tells me that the fittings are very similar to those used by DHMC to secure their hardtops on Big Healeys and that the front fitting has been reproduced and is available from Cape International for £48 pair. All very useful information for which many thanks guys. Mick will probably find his fittings now!!

882 SRA
882 SRA
An ASHLEY bonneted wire wheel Frog at Car & Classic £15,000
and a Shorrock supercharger is on ebay . Fetched £621 (Exp 8 Nov)
Shorrock
FROM JOHN HARRIS, former DHMC TEST DRIVER AND RACING DRIVER - re: 9253 WD
"I took over the car from the DHMC at the start of the 1964 and raced it for one year only. I did not paint the car dark blue. Initially the car was fitted with a 998 long stroke engine. After a couple races I felt the engine performance was disappointing and therefore GCH (Geoff Healey) gave me a 1071cc CooperS engine that had just come back from rebuild at Morris Engines. I fitted the engine here at home and the original engine was taken over for use  by Roy Lane (who eventually was British Hill Climb Champion).  The car was then very competitive and won its class many times during the season".
WSM No.1
PETER JACKSON sent me this photo of his "original road- going WSM, ally bodied and probably the most attractive body we made. I believe that it is the one car  that no longer is accounted for".
Falcon
Joe Armour sent in this photo of the Facon Sprite at Le Mans in 1960. He spotted it on ebay - a shot he hadn't seen before.

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Peter Jackson; Joe Armour; John Harris; Mike Wood; Mike Garton; Ad Koenders/Kees van Beijmerwerdt; Mick Brown; Colin Barnett; Julian Yell; Graham Robson; David Wylie; Terry Cowan; Trevor McIlroy; Bryn Rossiter; Bob Hinchliffe; Pete Farmer; Roger Friend; Jean Paul Decorty; Chris Lord; Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; Bob Spruck; Mark Knight; Ken Grasing; Tony Giordano; Steve Hall; Bruno Verstraete; Dave Matthews; Paul Webb; Phil Gardner; Neil Blaney; Gordon Higgs; Phil Zamlynski; Richard Sands.

 

News ~ October 2015

Vintage Racecar
Sebring 1961 from
'Vintage RACECAR' magazine out of US but with Australian and some UK content.
696 BMO
Historic LENHAM LE MANS MG Midget race car for sale. Ian Burford wishes to sell 696 BMO asking price £28,000
See "For Sale" page

RICK DUPUY on buying and sorting his Sebring Rep
See "Your Comments"
770 KNX
1965 Sebring 12 hours
2 super photos on Sports Digest, both by Dave Nicholas, show 770 KNX and DAC 952C, the latter speed-boating
(click, then scroll down)
DAC
ESL
David Morys spotted ESL 168 at Malvern Classic Car Show on 11th October. According to my records the car belongs to Ian Watts - note the external boot lid. David's old MGC GT was also in attendance looking splendid as ever, now with an original style steering wheel.
ESL

FIA HOMOLOGATION PAPERS
Joe Armour points out there were a considerable number of different homologation papers issued for the Sprite.
These are all listed on this website:
http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/gt-cars#toc7
See also right:

1960-1965 FIA Homologated cars in Group GT
Art. 265 of FIA Appendix "J" '61
In order to enjoy recognition in the "Grand Touring" category cars will have to be produced at a minimum rate of one hundred (100) identical units as far as mechanical parts and coachwork are concerned in 12 consecutive months.
Chapter IV of Appendix J of 1961 Fia Regulations for Grand Touring Cars
Mortensen
CONGRATULATIONS TO NIKOLAJ MORTENSEN
on winning the Danish Championship in the pre-66 FIA Class in his 1963 MG Midget 1098, with 226 points against some pretty heavy metal - see results sheet opposite.
Follow his progress on YouTube.
Danish Results
Lenham GT

A LENHAM GT on the rolling road - photo sent in by Robert Clubbe. Thought to be John Moon's car?

John Bowman shot this pic of the epic dual between Richard Woolmer and Gordon Elwell at Castle Combe earlier this month. As Gordon said, Richard 'pipped me to the post' but I had the satisfaction of fastest lap and a new Sprite lap record. A good result for both of us".
EPIC DUAL

COLIN BARNETT
has acquired a DHMC hardtop for his Mk1 Midget and recently came across this advert for the sale of Venner-Pack's Speedwell GT and points out there are 9 other race cars on offer including a D-type at £1495. Those were the days!

Colin Barnett
EX-WORKS SPRITE FOR SALE
Following the recent death of its owner Kurt Ritthaler 776 KNX is being offered for sale, at $275,000 (£180,000)
776 KNX
Venner-Pack
2824MV
2824MV
The Ex-Marguilies Speedwell GT, 2824MV  at “Sprite Spree” 2003 in Pennsylvania, 45th Anniversary of the Bugeye. Photos sent in by Neil Blaney. The car is believed to be for sale.
5435WD
Mark Straker reports on the restoration of 5435 WD and marvels at the images of his father with the car on YouTube. See "Your Comments"
Pema-bonneted Super-charged Sprite bought by Peter Jackson at H & H auction Duxford (£6,160) and now being fettled by Paul Woolmer
650 FTX
Holland
Albert
Museum
Museum
TRIP TO THE HEALEY MUSEUM IN THE NETHERLANDS
On Tues 6th October we set off for Dover and the Dunkerque ferry bound for Holland, in convoy with the Sebring Sprite replica of Bob Blayden with his mate, Russell. They had been forced to wait an extra week to get the car which Bob had shipped from his home in Australia. It rained solidly during our long drive, the 2 little cars plunging through clouds of spray alongside every juggernaut. However we arrived safely at the Van der Valk Hotel in Breukelen and found that we had been followed for some distance by a former owner of RTL 304 who was intrigued to see not just one but 2 Sebring Sprites in his homeland. We dined with Stephen Bowen and Michael Meerlo - they had come in Michael's Sebring Fastback - a most enjoyable evening. Next day we went off to the museum where Albert Voogd greeted us having generously taken a day off work to open up for us. While the Ozzies viewed the cars and looked around I got down to raiding the extensive archive finding all sorts of gems from the Healey company's records. Albert took photos, many of those reproducxed here. In the late afternoon he delivered us to the station leaving JJO in the museum for our 4 days in Amsterdam - we made the long drive home in sunshine on Sunday after seeing the museum's chief, Hans, and his wife briefly for coffee when we picked up the car. Many thanks to Albert and Hans. Bob and Russell went off to the Nurburgring, then to a museum in Stuttgart, before trying out the Stelvio and heading down to Italy to visit Bob's daughter there. They will be touring Europe for a month before returning to the UK and then flying home.
Holland
Holland
Holland
Holland

Holland
A recent acquisition is this black Mark 2 Sprite from the USA which Albert and I are studying, above. A very sad tale is that it was bought for a previous owner's son aged 18 and within days he crashed it, banging his head on the side of the screen, an injury from which he later died. Stored under a tarpaulin for the next 30 years it was eventually restored, having done a total of just over 2,000 miles in its long life. Note the child's seat.

Holland
Holland
Holland
Holland
Holland
Albert
Museum
Albert
Albert
Motor Sport
GROSVENOR SQUARE
in July 1960 where John Sprinzel presided over the Donald Healey Motor Co's premises - as reported in Motor Sport that month.
JEFF BRENNER's SPEEDWELL GT failed to find a buyer at Bonhams auction on Oct 5th (Lot 262) and is still up for sale. If anyone is interested in this historic car please contact Bonhams
2824 MV
Miglia Tour
Midget & Sprite Club recently returned from their Miglia Tour - some of the cars seen here at the old Rheims pit lane.
[Alan Anstead]
Historic Autocross Video on YouTube from the 1970's
Link
[Colin Barnett]
Autocross 70s
Silverstone
David Scothorn tells me he was there at Silverstone in 1961 (left) and wonders where the shot was taken: "I think it was just after Woodcote, at the current run in to the National Pits. Was the tower over the track a BRDC and TV viewing point, where the Silverstone Racing Club is now situated?" Feedback
BS 5525
Juergen Schaeffer's CASTOR ANGLE PROBLEM resolved - see "Your Comments"
Femi
Femi Odutolu's Sebring Rep now has its new K-Series engine installed and the car is being painted.
BS 5525 - spotted by Mike Wood at the Bo'ness Hillclimb Revival on 6 Sept. Anyone know more?
RTL
RTL 304
Chris Keeble has reluctantly decided to offer his historic aluminium-bodied Sprite for sale - no price yet.
510 DWD
Tony Giordano is now quoting $25,000 US for his barn-find Mark 2 Sprite with XSP engine.
510 DWD 13
FASTBACK FITTING INSTRUCTIONS.
Dave Marriott has lost his Archers fitting instructions for the Fastback. Can anyone help?
CASTLE COMBE
Gordon Elwell enjoyed a great dice with Richard Woolmer in their 2nd heat on Saturday. Richard managed to cross the line first but Gordon got fastest lap and a Sprite record.
Pierre Lequeux and 2080 PO took part in the Firle Hill Climb. They feature in a Classic Cars article (right) and Pierre has also sent me this 'funny' clip from YouTube
2080 PO
NICE PICS FROM LE MANS IN 1967 WHEN BAKER & HEDGES CAME 15TH OVERALL
[Sent in by Joe Armour, researched by Mark Bisset, from the Henry Ford - Dave Friedman Collection]
Le Mans 66
Le Mans 66
Le Mans 66
Le Mans 66
Adrian Andrew

FASCINATING LETTERS FROM ADRIAN ANDREW (2ND OWNER) OF
RTL 304 TO A SUBSEQUENT OWNER, PETER WARNE

RARE EARLY
FROGEYE SIDESCREENS FOR SALE ON EBAY CURRENTLY AT £41
achieved £156
Early Sidescreen

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; Mike Wood; Joe Armour; Dave Marriott; Gordon Elwell; Tony Giordano; Chris Keeble; Juergen Schaeffer; Femi Odutolu; David Scothorn; Alan Anstead; Colin Barnett; Mark Straker; Peter Jackson; Neil Blaney; John Bowman; Nikolaj Mortensen; David Morys; Rick Dupuy; and Ian Burford.

 

News ~ September 2015

CASTLE COMBE - OCTOBER 3RD
Healey Drivers International have an invitation race with a great field of Healeys, mainly Big ones but including 3 special Sprites: Richard Woolmer (?BXN or PMO) Gordon Elwell (MEG) and the Lenham GT of circuit PR man, John Moon from Bath, not seen since its fiery accident at Silverstone in 2010. Graham Robson is sharing a drive in a Healey 100/4.
WHAT COLOUR SHOCKS?
Sean Sandow is re-building an original-looking Mk1 Sprite with period Sebring upgrades. These include a pair of adjustable rear shock absorbers. He asks what their original colour would have been. He has seen red, black, and unpainted with black arms. His have traces of blue paint the same as 2080PO (before restoration). Feedback please.
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLES
for sale on ebay
fetched £520.13
on 28 Sept
Armstrongs

Silverstone
PMO (John Sprinzel and WJB (Ian Walker) in this lovely shot from the 6-Hour Relay at Silverstone in 1961
[Joe Armour]
Ashley
ANYONE GOT A REAR WINDOW GLASS FOR AN ASHLEY HARDTOP? Please contact Hugo Huissen (NL)
COLIN BARNETT needs a top half for his 1275 rear main bearing. Anyone got one lying around, please contact him
Main Bearing Top
Firle
Watch it on YouTube

PIERRE LEQUEUX TOOK 2080 PO TO FIRLE HILL CLIMB
He had a "superb Sunday at the Firle Hill Revival, a hillclimb that stopped in 1967 and has been revived by a few local characters. As my car participated in both the 1966 and 1967 events it was invited to take part. They had no MSA license this year so it was not a competing event but rather more a show event....great fun anyhow and also for a good cause... all information on the event can be find on the Bo Peep website Hopefully it will become an ongoing event and they will get an MSA  license for it next year".

WILL CORRY ON YOU TUBE
at the Cultra Hill Climb
Link
STEPHEN BOWEN on those oil leaks, see "Your Comments"
WJB
RTL
More photos of RTL 304 - Zolder 1980, above, in Peter Warne's ownership, right, and at Thruxton 2002, and Meldreth 2010 below
RTL
RTL
RTL
WJB
WJB 707 - a "new" photo
of the car at Prescott in 1963 or 4 driven by GSP (??) [Sent in by Chris Keeble, dated by Stephen Bowen]
RTL
RTL
Rooks
RICHARD ROOKS' SPEEDWELL GT is featured in an interview on YouTube at the British Car Festival in the States.
SPEEDWELL GT TO AUCTION
2824 MV owned by Jeff Brenner is to be offered for sale in October by Bonhams
£45/58,000
2824 MV
RTL

LOVELY PERIOD STEERING WHEEL ON RTL 304
assembled by Chris Keeble a couple of years ago with a minimal centre.

RTL
Higgs
HOW GORDON HIGGS CREATED HIS INLET MANIFOLDS
Gordon has been rebuilding these H4s for his Sebring Rep - the manifold stubs are made from a much modified MGA manifold. A little shorter than the originals but look very similar. He will need a new LCB exhaust manifold before they can be fitted.
Higgs

CALLING ALL SEBRING REP OWNERS!!

While I have many of your email addresses I don't actually know where many of you live. I have a guy called Jim interested in building his own Sebring who would like to meet up with someone who has a completed car and would show him around it. He lives at Ashbourne in Derbyshire and works at Buxton near Manchester so can I please hear from one of you in one of those approximate areas who would be willing to assist, please. Much appreciated. Feedback please.

Zandvoort
IVO CAPPON kindly supplied this photo of RTL 304 at Zandvoort in 1981. (Photo: Ferret Fotographics)
HEALEY INLETS
Anyone know of a source as Lubbert Mussche also wants these for his H4 SUs. Email if you can help.
Healey Manifolds
WANTED - BENTLEY REAR LIGHTS
Lubbert Mussche is assembling the former Meredith Hutchings Fastback Sebring and needs a pair of rear lights like these Email if you can help.
Bentley rear lights
SCCA
BUGEYES FOR SALE
2 former SCCA racers are up for sale in the USA. $3500 for the pair, both needing restoration. One has significant race history. See more.

ROBERT KANSA'S REPLY TO TONY GIORDANO'S SLIGHTLY CHEEKY OFFER EARLIER:
Martin, Thank you for the letter. I can’t deny the truth in Tony’s offer. A real works Sprite could indeed have a much greater value in the future. Maybe. But starting at the 40K asking price and adding $20-30k more for proper restoration I would never be able to afford such a car and be afraid to take it out of the garage. Yet alone the eventual alimony I would need to pay my wife for such a purchase. Seriously though we plan on using our Sprite we are building in race and rally events as well as for street shows etc.  If we bought a real works Sprite we would be seriously afraid of damaging a car we would have so much money in. Besides, the basis of our Sprite was in the family for the last 20 years and it has a certain sentimental value.  It will never have the value as a “real” one but that’s OK with us. Thank you again for the offer - we hope Tony’s Sprite goes to the correct buyer. Robert

CultraTREVOR McIlroy's 'S 2015 EVENTS
"Martin, please find enclosed three images of my limited outings with XXC818 this season. In order : Cultra Hill Climb Co Down Northern Ireland., Bo' ness Hill Climb Scotland, and awarded 'Best Prepared Race Car' Trophy at Bo'ness. Regards T.McI. Belfast."
Bowness
Bowness

2080 PO


2080 PO

PIERRE'S RACING EXPLOITS
"Despite having had  to rebuild the topside of my engine due to a bent valve,  bent pushrod  and dented piston just a couple of days before the event I managed to participate in the Brighton Speed trials. The weather was not great and the track was wet so  I  tried to  establish the quickest  “sideaway” time  on  my first rung for the amusement of the crowd….. on my timed run I finished 8th out of 54 cars in the handicap class.  Just 0.01 of a second slower than last year….some improvements to look  forward to for next year I guess…It would be nice if more Sebrings were to show at the event next year…you just need a registration to the Brighton and Hove Motor Club and a a non-race MSA licence to take part  (+a Nomex suit and an helmet of course…).,,,it is really  a great fun day. Anyhow in respect of the engine, I will now steer clear of bronze manganese valve guides as after reading from various forums they seem to be the cause of much problems if the tolerances are too tight….they expand at 1.5 times the rate of the head…with obvious consequences….so really maybe the cast iron guides or other materials may be safer after all…. Pierre"


PMO 200 UPDATE

I have now included the period in which Malcolm Sears owned the car.
View the PMO web page

Woolmer AbarthNot Sprite-related but GRAHAM ROBSON (who races a WSM) tells me that he will be having a drive in a Fiat Abarth 1500 S prepared to FIA/HTP spec and recently rebuilt by Paul Woolmer. The car is seen here on the rolling road before testing at Goodwood for the Revival. The car will be driven by BTCC star Sam Tordoff and Graham will drive it on the Sunday. He doesn't think it will be a threat to the Lotus Cortinas or Alfa  GTAs. Former owner of his WSM, Brian Arculus, is driving the Lotus 6 Climax which my brother John recently sold him - in the Fordwater Trophy .
Bonnet
Jap Ashley
JapAshley
Hardtop


TONY'S SUGGESTION!!
Hey Martin, Instead of Mr Robert Kansa building a "replica" who might never see his investment money in return , a suggestion might be to buy my "real works spec Sprite",  with a real documented race experimental engine and race/restore  this...the value added is immeasurable and it will retain its value for the future...just a thought.
Always buy a real one if you can!!!
Tony Giordano.

GARY LAZARUS REPORTS (see photos above):
[That bonnet on 1770 PQ mentioned by Roger Friend] Yes, you're right. It's not a Peamarsh. However, in my Peamarsh folder, I have this image (attached), which I mistook for a a Peamarsh. It looks very similar to the one on your website, with the smaller (5 inch?) headlights. The only problem being I have no idea where I got hold of this image or what it is. Also attached some other images of the Japanese ASHLEY with W & P bonnet. Again not my images I'm afraid. Talking of unknown tops and fronts, does anyone know what this top is on what looks to be on a French registered (yellow) Sprite.
JUERGEN'S STEERING WHICH REFUSED TO SELF-CENTRE
Hello Martin, Ssorry for long pause in communication, but I did not want to confuse the world more with my little problem without new facts. But now we have some, the mystery of the missing castor seems to have found a solution and the castor seems to be innocent. Due to problems with  TUEV/MoT about too many mods, I have to take out the very powerful Peter May engine and fit an 1100 cc smallbore as originally documented with 55 hp in the car. In preparation of this action I obviously had to get a lot of peripheral equipment out of the way, which gave me a much clearer picture of the suspension and steering. The little app. 5mm thick spacer behind one of the brackets holding the steering rack was fitted to the wrong side due to a mis-interpretation of the drawing in the manual by myself, now I can turn the wheel with my little finger easily and once the various stiffnesses in the suspension are also cured - the stuff was lying in my garage since mid 2011, I'm convinced all will be fine. I only wonder how accurate and useful the scientific laser-aided castor measurement is.
Thank you and the forum for all the good advice and good will. Regards, Juergen (Schaeffer)
CAN ANYONE HELP SVEN WITH HIS ENGINE OIL LEAKS?
Re: John Poulter`s comment - I have stripped my bored 1098 engine (10cc). I think they, as well as 1275s, have the set-up John describes but the eEarly 1098 and 948 engines have a thinner back plate and the cover is soldered on to it from the outside. I was going to convert back to the scroll. However Wolfgang, my local engineer, has increased the radius on the rear of the main cap which usually sits right against the scroll so I cant go back to it. Has anybody got any experience with the MED conversion which is different to the one Peter May is doing in that the seal runs against the area between the scroll area and the crankshaft boss? Does anybody know whether the scroll on 1275s and 2 inch 1098s is the same diameter (54.4 mm on the 1098)? I have a nice powerful engine which is let down by the fact it has a really heavy rear oil leak. Sven (Eckhardt).
ENX 415C
ENX 415C ex-works streamliner in its Richard Groves livery in the 1966 1000kms at the Nurburgring, where Clive Baker and John Moore finished 20th, and 2nd in class.
SEBRING HUBS
should be arriving on your doorsteps about now.
Kansa Sebring
Robert Kansa of Southwind Racing in Ohio is building

a 1960 Sebring Sprite replica for vintage racing, road rallies  and occasional street use. He says "The car will meet  all vintage racing specifications here in the States when finished. It has it’s own Facebook page with pictures of the rebuild, its rebuild log and activities. Unfortunately due to typical budget constraints it is a slow process". 


Fletcher

Pete Fletcher taking part in the Scarborough Olivers Mount hill-climb 2 weeks ago. Off to a sprint at Aintree this weekend he first has to retrieve an unleaded insert dropped into No.2 cylinder!!
5447 HX
Alistair Ross asks whether anyone might know when and where this photo of his Speedwell GT was taken?
Feedback
Alan Anstead tells me: "Keith Calver now does a rear crankshaft oil seal for the 1275 engine. He is technical advisor for Mini Magazine and trades as Calver ST".

ENGINE OIL LEAKS

Going on from Sven's comments last month, John Poulter writes (right):
Poulter
I wonder why BMC didn't use this design on the 1275.

"I can’t understand why there should be heavy leaks from around the oil pump cover requiring the cover to be soldered. There is a paper gasket between the pump and block and another around all of the pump and backplate so where would the oil come from unless it’s somehow coming through the back of the pump if it’s a two piece design. I have a 1275 Marina engine where the oil pump cover just rests in a machined groove in the backplate – no gaskets, no seal and no oil leaks on the back of the engine either. I wondered if I was having a senior and grey moment ( I can just do grey at present!) I can understand oil leaking past the scroll and down the flywheel side of the backplate. I have attached a photo of the Payen seal and carrier used on the BMC tractor with 948cc diesel engine for your interest. This was designed and running in 1962. Regards John"
[When I rebuilt my 1098 engine the pump cover was loose and I merely used a smear of instant gasket to seal it. I think John may be right and it shouldn't leak there. I have tried two of the conversion kits to fit a seal on the tail of the crankshaft and despite careful assembly both leaked quite severely. Back to the drawing board. MEI]

PMO
'NEW' PHOTOS OF PMO 200
Paul Sears sent me these pictures of his father, Malcolm, racing PMO 200 at Brands Hatch in 1968 - one more owner to add to the list. By this time the car was registered 248 DXN but the reversed 200 PMO seems to have been used by him in racing.
PMO

All British Display Day ~ News South Wales, Australia ~ 30th August 2015 (photos: Joe Armour)

ABDD
ABDD
ABDD
ABDD
Denis Best's racing Lenham Le Mans with another example, and Colin Dodds' Lenham GTO with round arches.
Blaney Rep
Blaney Rep
237
Fright
Neil Blaney's Sebring Rep on the road for the first time
THE most important
ex-works Healey
3.8 Jaguar-engined Fright

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Joe Armour; Paul Sears; John Poulter; Alistair Ross; Alan Anstead; Robert Clubbe; Robert Kansa; Dave Matthews; Pete Taylor;

 

News ~ August 2015

JUST GOES TO SHOW, EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED & CAPABLE ENGINEER CAN HAVE A MISHAP IN THE GARAGE!
Colin Dodds has been organising a meet at which over 100 Sprites were present yesterday, Sunday 30th, and has had little time to complete the preparation of his Fright (3.8 litre Jaguar engined Bugeye):
"Sadly, the Fright will not arrive under it's own power but on a trailer.  I simply ran out of time.  It's finished cosmetically, but there are the usual teething problems. There is a misfire under load, which I have not been able to track down. I've changed distributor, hot-wired the ignition to by-pass the switch, all the usual solutions, but the misfire remains.  Everyone tells me it's not fuel related, but I'm convinced it is.  It's running very rich, blowing huge clouds of black smoke on initial acceleration, and I think it's flooding on full throttle.  I have leaner idle jets on order, but they just didn't arrive in time. I decided today to check if it was misfiring when stationary (ie: not under load) so I started the engine from the engine bay with the bonnet up.  However, I had just backed it into the workshop and the car was still in reverse gear, so when it fired up it accelerated backwards.  Now normally that would be a drama, as it would have reversed into all the other cars in the workshop.   Fortunately, my foot was in the way of the front wheel, so when the car drove over my foot it stalled. Sadly, for me Frightat least, it stalled with the wheel on my foot. I didn't dare hit the starter solenoid in the engine bay, unless the car fired up again and backed into the workshop.  Had I not been in pain, I might have thought to remove the ignition wire from the coil, but that didn't occur to me at the time. In my haste to get up from the ground, with foot under the front wheel, it seems I grabbed the brake booster and twisted the mounting bracket and pipes that I had so carefully arranged to be perfectly neat. So now here I was, trapped with right foot under the front wheel, with ignition on and car in gear. Do you know what a 3.8 ltr Jaguar engine weighs?  I'm not sure of the exact weight, but I can tell you it's enough to completely flatten the big toe of the right foot. It took me about 5 minutes (not exaggerating) to wiggle my foot out of my shoe and sock.  They were still under the tyre, but at least my foot was free.  The toe didn't hurt at all.  It was totally numb! I rolled the car back, released the shoe and sock, recomposed myself (lots of deep breathing) and again tried to start the engine.  The (new) starter solenoid jammed with a closed circuit.  The starter motor spins all the time. OK, cut the ignition with the kill switch, and fit another new starter solenoid. That's enough, I quit. The Fright will be there tomorrow, but arriving on a trailer.  I simply have run out of time, and I'm not making the drive to the show it's maiden drive! avagoodnight Colin www.Spriteparts.com.au
dcoe shield
CARBURETTOR HEATSHIELDS for Webers and SUs are available in stainless steel from Stainless for Classics
[Pierre Lequeux]
Ashley
This ASHLEY with W & P bonnet now resides in Japan.
SEBRING HUBS
will be ready from Orson Equipment next week for all those who placed an order (the batch now pretty well all sold). Dave Wood is producing nuts for the rear hubs at 70 degrees chamfer to match at about £2 each. Let him know if you want some: 01902 906290 
MH
Mike Haigh's LENHAM LE MANS in action at Goodwood and Mallory Park - see the Lenham LM Gallery
WJB
"Need a car for the 2016 Revival? This Sebring Sprite may be for you". So reads the caption on the Goodwood RRC website where WJB 707 is being offered for sale by CCK in Sussex at an asking price of £85,000. Take a look.
WJB
SVEN (ECKHARDT) (Germany) has been troubled with oil leaks:
"My blue Sprite has been inspected again and I have managed to sort the oil loss problem at last. I did drop the 948 of the Sebring in which had had a complete strip down and the rear oil seal conversion- it was leaking at least as bad as the other engine so out it came again. The original rebuilt engine with standard scroll properly centred has gone in now. One possibly interesting piece of information: The 948 Sebring  engine was definitely leaking from the cover of the oil pump which as you know is soldered onto the back plate. I have checked the three backplates I have and all were leaking. The covers of all the back plates have been resoldered. Since the bored 1098 which is in the Sebring at present is p---ing oil I strongly suspect this to be the problem. The engine will come out the next couple of days I shall keep you posted. The registration of the blue car will be RO Y 221 H- neither H, S or X were available to go before the 221 but maybe she is a secret member of Team 221".
Alfin Drums
Roger Friend recently commissioned these replica Alfin Drums for his project. Cost is 763.00 pair +
postage, if anyone is interested. Email him
MORE FROM DVLA (received from a contributor today:)
"Just had an interesting phone call from the DVLA  regarding age-related plates for historic vehicles. In short the problem area is when a car is rebuilt i.e it has had a new body fitted, what has happened to the old body? Is it scrapped or sold, - if sold someone could repair it, rebuild it and claim an age-related plate, so that means there are two cars from one. They do not check all cars - only ones where things don't tie up paperwork wise. He also warned that things will get tighter if we adopt the EEC regulations which the  FBVA are fighting including road-worthy certificates for all historic vehicles".
PETE TAYLOR'S NEW STREAMLINER
is making good progress after many delays; the chassis now fully painted. However a further set-back is that he has been told that to obtain FIA HTpapers he can only have 6 mounting points for the roll cage - he has 8. A bit more head-scratching required!
Pete Streamliner
Bonnet
WHAT BONNET? Can anyone identify this bonnet style - could it be early Alexander? No prizes - Feedback
Michael Meerlo recently took his Sebring Fastback on holiday to the Oldtimer Grandprix at the Nurburgring in Germany. Now with a Weber and producing 96 bhp.
[Photo from earlier date]
Meerlo
SHORROCK BOOST GAUGE
A very rare item which Dave O'Neill is willing to sell at £300. Email him if you're interested.
Gauge
An early Ashley bonnet for sale (without the grille) on ebay and currently at £270 - expires 1st September.
Ashley
TICKET FOR GOODWOOD REVIVAL
Stephen Casson has a spare ticket for the Sunday including a Chicane grandstand ticket if anyone is interested. He is only looking for face value.
Give him a call 07880 736373 or email him if you are interested smcasson868@gmail.com
7 port
If you're feeling flush why not buy a 7-Port Head
currently available from the USA at $1099 Link
Sebring decal
Glenn Castle found this Sebring decal in the USA on ebay for just £4. Available in lots of colours.
Stephen Birch's Sebring Rep is newly painted in grey and blue with black 5.5J wire wheels. Very smart.
WJJ
Joe Armour comments: "Footage of S221 in the wet at Silverstone reminds me of the reports from the 1965 Sebring race when the Sprite DAC952C, the MGB and AH 3000 were some of the fastest lapping cars in the torrential rain storm conditions. It is said that the Sprite had holes punched in the floor to let the water out! The water was so deep in the pit area that spare wheels waiting to fitted were floating away".
JOIN CHARLIE CLEGG IN CAR AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC
in horrendous conditions despite which he achieved a 2nd in class.
YouTube link
Mark Warne is off to a track day at Castle Combe on Friday and is watching the weather forecasts with some trepidation. He'll have a lot of fun I'm sure.
OFH
SW
SW
ANGELO VAN DER RIJT
is offering this original Les Leston wood rimmed steering wheel for sale. It has no boss but that should not be impossible to find. Email him
SW
Grattan

Phil Zamlynski tells me that SPRIDGET RACING IS ALIVE AND WELL in the States following his recent visit to the Grattan circuit near Michigan. A VSCDA event he says there something like 25 Sprites and Midgets out racing that day plus MGBs and E Types.

Grattan
237
A couple more nice pics from Robert Clubbe:
HAN9-R-237 at Le Mans in 1968 among heavy traffic, in the hands of Roger Enever and Alec Poole -
and (courtesy of Carl Bosch Ros), this lovely shot of Rauno or Clive lifting a wheel, I imagine in practice for, the '67 Targa Florio.

ANDREW FORSTER HAS ASKED ME TO ADVISE THAT ARCHERS GARAGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR A HOLIDAY BREAK FROM THIS WEEKEND 15/16 AUGUST FOR 2 WEEKS, RE-OPENING ON TUESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

Sidescreens
Anyone restoring a very early Frogeye might be glad of these original side-screens now on ebay at £10.50 expires 15 Aug
RETRO WARWICK
David Scothorn reports "there were 2-300 pre-75 cars at this event and probably 2-3000 visitors. It was a lovely sunny day in the fine setting of Warwick Market place. The Heritage Centre, Gaydon, had a Healey 3000 and a 100S on show" as well as a rather out-of-place Haldane replica. Warwick Records Office were present to raise funds for their archive project which was also recently reported on a BBC newsreel. Photos: by Nick Maltby.
Retro Warwick
MORE ON SPLINED HUBS
Looks like we are going with a 60 degree angle to the chamfer for the rear hub securing nuts which will obviously mean buying a small supply of self-locking nuts machined up to the same angle which Dave Wood is now pricing.
More shortly.
BUT HANG ON A MINUTE!!
Andrew Forster's drawing shows a 70 degree angle, while both Stephen Bowen and Peter Seaman report 60 degree angles on their early items.
Rear Hub
SPRITES AT SHELSLEY WALSH HILL-CLIMB
A video which I found was rather inclined to keep stopping and re-starting but some nice pictures - thanks to Alan Anstead
CB
CB
CB
CB
These interesting snippets from Motor Sport 1960/61 were sent in by Colin Barnett. In the Goodwood extract Venner-Pack in his Speedwell GT leads Paddy Gaston's RAM 35 through the chicane. That Ashley hard-topped car looks a bit like the one owned by the Visser brothers today? Star Sprite bonnet is a rare item these days.
Card
MAARTEN KRIKKEN's parents in law sent him a birthday card depicting the Sprinzel Sebring (left). I don't recognise it - could it be a replica built in Europe, or even the long-missing D20 ? Near Maarten's home in Belgium is a branch of the garage selling the Portuguese Sprite and the car is currently on display there.
Portuguese
Hubs
SEBRING SPLINED HUBS
As you can see Orson Equipment are well on the way to completing the new hubs recently ordered. They have one query: does anyone know the correct chamfer angle for the stud holes on the rear hubs. A drawing shows 70 degrees but more usual would be 30, 45 or 60. [Obviously the new securing nuts will have to have a matching angle] Anyone know what angle the originals had? Feedback please.
Hubs

THE HEALEY ARCHIVES
A comment from Albert Voogd, Archivist at the Healey Museum NL
in "Your Comments"
IS EVERYONE AWAY ON THEIR HOLIDAYS?
There's very little in the way of new items coming in just now.
MORGAN SPARROW's ASHLEY MIDGET on display at Goodwood House last weekend. I have been helping him to install my old 1330 race engine and CR box in readiness for a race at Brands Hatch in September.
Morgan Sparrow
585 MY
585 MY
Still for sale with Brian Classic - historic Speedwell GT
Currently on ebay is this original Frogeye steering wheel at a staggering £499
Expires 17 Aug
Frog Sterring Wheel
58 FAC
58 FAC 'works' lightweight at Sebring in 1963 driven by John Colegate and Clive Baker..
[Facebook/Robert Clubbe]
Robert Clubbe is offering this original Vic Berris (of Autocar) cut-away drawing of the still-born rear-engined MG Midget - on ebay
Rear engined Midget
Mark Wilson on DVLA
See "Your Comments"
Emil Frey
Emil Frey AG - still involved in manufacturing work for Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus and Toyota - manufactured conversion kits in Switzerland for the Bugeye Sprite that were able to incorporate more traditional frontal styling while retaining trhe original grille and hardware.
[Moss Group/Robert Clubbe]
BDC-Silverstone

RICHARD WOOLMER WINS SILVERSTONE HEALEY RACE IN 46 BXN

Graham Robson reports: "young Richard drove a fabulous race in BXN to win". Several other Sprites also gave good accounts of themselves among the big Healeys. Ian Burford had qualified Tubby 4th fastest but a misfire caused by a faulty alternator led to his lagging way behind in the race itself.

HEALEY ARCHIVE PLANNED FOR WARWICK

The Warwick County Records Office are endeavouring to raise £120,000 for a new project involving the acquisition from the Healey family the remaining archive files - those which were not included in the first batch now held in the Healey Museum in the Netherlands. The plan would be to give Healey enthusiasts and others ready access, in the Healey company's home city, to photos, drawings and other records of the firm's cars in planning, construction and in competition. Various events are planned to raise the necessary funds. See 2 letters under "Your Comments" from David Scothorn and Rob Eyre.

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
David Scothorn; Rob Eyre; Graham Robson; Robert Clubbe; Mark Wilson; Morgan Sparrow; Albert Voogd; Dave Wood; Maarten Krikken; Colin Barnett; Alan Anstead; Andrew Forster; Mike Wood; Colin Dodds; Pierre Lequeux; Mike Haigh; Sven Eckhardt; Roger Friend; Pete Taylor; Michael Meerlo; Dave O'Neill; steve Casson; Glenn Castle; Steve Birch; Joe Armour; Charlie Clegg; Mark Warne; Angelo van der Rijt; Phil Zamlynski; Andrew Forster; Nick Maltby; and Stephen Bowen .

 

News ~ July 2015

BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB MEETING AT SILVERSTONE 1st AUGUST 2015
Graham Robson will be out in his 100M while his WSM receives a new cylinder head from MED. Also there will be Allan Cameron and son, Neil, in their Sprites, Ian Burford (Lumbertubs) and Richard Woolmer (46 BXN) plus John Tewson in his Frogeye doing battle with numerous big Healeys. If anyone is going please send me some photos for the website.
510 DWD

RARE ''WORKS-MODIFIED' BARN-FIND MARK 2
FOR SALE IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
510 DWD comes with a "known history", Lockheed Thin Disc brake set-up, Sebring wire wheels and hubs, works seats, steering wheel, straight cut gears in a rib-case box, Warwick Mk2 Hardtop, original blue soft top, and very rare XSP engine.

[Lots more info and photos to follow shortly but also view it on the web page: 510 DWD]

Asking price is US$40,000 (about £25,000 UK)
Contact: Tony Giordano on (001) 203-904-3244 or email him.
510 DWD
510 DWD
510 DWD
AGThorpe
AGThorpe
AGThorpe
AG Thorpe
AGThorpe
HOW ABOUT THIS FOR A RARE ONE?
Alex Hazlewood recently acquired these AG Thorpe front and rear panels off ebay and fitted them to his Spridget which he runs in the Scottish hill-climbs and sprint circuit. I've seen plenty of bonnets but never a rear like that! Pretty isn't it.
AGThorpe
P Gardner
PHIL GARDNER'S COUPE NEARS COMPLETION
Since these photos were taken "the car is now all but complete and running". Like others Phil is having some difficulty getting hold of side-screens. I know Andrew has difficulty finding time to make them and wonder if we can find some small firm to do so.
P Gardner
UWD 97
UWD 97
UWD 97
UWD 97
Graham Bish spotted the ex Hugh Sutherland/Phillip Stiles car from Sebring 1959 looking as good as ever, at the "Classics on the Common" meet last Wednesday. The dash now sports a brass plaque proclaiming its provenance, and a picture from this website was also displayed.
[If anyone is in touch with the owner I still don't have his name or contact details please.]
Juergen Schaefer's steering problems, see "Your Comments"
Joe Armour recently sent me these 2 BMC adverts showing HNX 455D at Le Mans in 1966 & DAC 952C at Sebring, 1965
Advert
ADvert

Steve Nash on numbers of "Historic Cars" see "Your Comments"
CCW-1
CCW-2

WANTED

Roy McKnight is looking for a pair of Aldon negative camber trunnions which take the standard rubber bushes. Anyone got any they would part with? Email.

Wheeler Dealers
That "Wheeler Dealers" programme about the restoration of a Frogeye can now be viewed on
YouTube
Armstrongs
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLES
are being offered by Colin Dodds in NSW Australia starting at A$1200 (£570) on ebay
The DVLA debate continues under "Your Comments"
Thin Disc
Lockheed Thin Disc
article, (right), courtesy of
Ray English & Marque One
Portuguese
Portuguese Sprite still hasn't found a permanent home:
49,000 Euros (£34,500)
Car and Classic
Portuguese
On 14th July there was a peak of 100 clicks on the website (currently running at just under 2000 a month)
Another question on DVLA
rules, from Alan Anstead
- see Your Comments
and my reply.
Bob Blayden's Sebring Rep is now on its way from Aus to the UK. Anyone else fancy joining us for a visit to the Healey Museum in October? Feedback
Blayden
DVLA CONCLUSIONS
I have set out my conclusions from the various contributions you guys have kindly made to assist anyone planning a new Sebring, Lenham or other project.
W and P Nash
SS1800
STEVE NASH: "The bonnet recently sold on eBay is exactly the same as what was on my Mk2 Midget when I bought it back in 1983 (upper left). When it was damaged in a crash, I found they were manufactured by Fibresports in Basildon. I now believe they make them for Ashley. I see you list it as a W&P one. Did they use the same one as Ashley? It used Triumph Herald/Spitfire latches on the sides. In the end, I chose to fit a standard shaped one instead. Rgds Steve"
[The bonnet on Steve's car and that sold on ebay, lower down this page, were originally designed and marketed by Williams & Pritchard as their GT2. Subsequently Fibresports sold copies but I believe all their moulds were destroyed in a fire. More recently MotoBuild have fitted them on their Ashley GTs, instead of the correct Ashley Mk2 type, seen lower left on the SS1800 Rep]
FROM ROGER FRIEND:
"Just a bit of info for you, the pictures Joe sent to you of the rear brake caliper is a Girling NR; these are still available from your local Lotus specialist as they where fitted on many of the Lotus cars i.e. Elite, Eleven , 23, and repro ones have been made and they are not that expensive".
Oselli Midget

1962 OSELLI-TUNED
MG MIDGET MK 1 FOR SALE.
Oselli Midget
Oselli Midget
1098 Oselli engine, works hardtop, rare Speedwell door handles, Smiths tacho servo assisted brakes, Aeroquip hoses, anti roll bar, wide steel wheels, flared arches, nice interior with re-covered seats Moto Lita steering wheel, correct floorpans, tonneau cover and two piece hood frame, strong running engine and good mechanicals but front wheel cylinders seized so will need hydraulic overhaul to return to road. No welding required.Tartan red paintwork in good order, V5 in my name and on Sorn. Would make a good rally replica or historic racer. Contact Steve by email or 0208 517 4635. Offers on £4500.00
DISC BRAKES FITTED TO THE REAR OF THE 'WORKS' LE MANS CAR OF 1967-8
Caliper
Brakes
spacer
Caliper
Alloy Girling caliper
Disc plus hub plus caliper
and dismantled
Hub with single row bearing fitted
Brakes
Joe Armour sent me these photos showing one of the dismantled rear disc brake assemblies fitted to HAN9-R-237 and other cars by the Donald Healey Motor Co back in the 60's when they were competing at Sebring, Le Mans and in the Targa Florio.
Brakes
Brakes
This spacer fits tightly over the standard axle flange which fits into the
machined recess
Rear axle housing showing the spacer and mounting flange for the caliper
Hub assembly ready to receive the wheel
Lenham LM
Lenham LM
Lenham LM
Lenham LM
Lenham LM
A LENHAM LE MANS COUPE WITH A.J.THORPE BONNET FOR SALE - 21,900 Euros (£15,200 approx) Rebuilt in 2007 as a rally car with fast road 1275engine fitted Marina block with tuned cylinder head, 40 Weber, electronic ignition (1-2-3 ignition), Ford 5-speed-gearbox, and Peter May brakes. Rollcage, 6-point -safety belts, Tripmaster, headset-system, and electronic speedometer.
WylieDAVID WYLIE takes 505 BZ up the Chateau Impney Hill last weekend. Watch it on YouTube "…wasn’t entirely convinced I wasn’t going to go through the finish backwards… or worse. 2nd in class in the end.  The ex-Poole car was there too in a different class – fail on the last run, first run was wet. And a late finish on Saturday may not have helped the performance…" DW
SEBRING BADGE (right)
for sale on ebay, SOLD FOR £32.56 on 20 July
Sebring badge
For more on Caster Angles see "Your Comments"
W and P bonnet
W & P Bonnet (right) has been sold on ebay for £160
BMC Aus
FROM JOE ARMOUR IN NSW AUSTRALIA:
" This (car) was built in Australia using UK parts. Gearbox was a 4 speed MGA unit so this had to be related to the LeMans/Sebring cars like mine that had 4 speed MG gearboxes with overdrive for 1966 and then were modified to include a 5th gear for 1967 & 68. I I had a ride in this Midget at the Albany Around the Houses Race meeting back in 199? I believe it is now in Queensland ".
Read the Article
from Sports Car World, December 1967
BMC Aus

Rep 89CASTOR ANGLES ON JUERGEN SCHAEFER'S SEBRING REPLICA (No.89)
... seen here on trade plates prior to taking its TUEV/MOT test. He says: "The car goes like stink, the T9 gears click sweetly and fit perfectly; I've managed to modify the seats to give reasonably (easy) access despite my stiff bones  and, thanks to Maniflow and MED, the noise is great when I press the loud pedal. But, I have a problem, called CASTOR, which requires expert help. Having replaced the steering rack and refurbished the column, now turning the steering wheel isRep 89 easy and gives the car clear direction, however there is little feedback and noself-return and straightening the line, once I leave the wheel alone.   According to all my wisdom, clever books and wise advisors, this is obviously due to lack of castor. Unfortunately,  in none of the manuals for the Spridget did I find any hint, where and how to adjust this. I had fitted  adjustable and upgraded lever dampers with an additional top link from Peter May and upon my inquiry, Peter called it a "chassis issue" and we agreed then, that very long term sagging or very frequent jumping of heavy persons onto the front chassis legs might help to give the kingpin a more favourable angle".
My response: Well, to my knowledge the castor angle on a Sprite or Midget is created by the slight upward tilt of the front end of the chassis. On occasions the front 'H' frame has been welded into a shell in such a way that the underside of the car is completely flat destroying the castor angle required. Could this be Juergen's proble? Any other advice out there. Feedback

4646 UE
Paul Tarry is making some progress with his alloy-bodied Sebring Rep, the suspensions and transmission now rebuilt and the body prepared for painting. More soon.

HISTORIC ROADSPORTS RACE AT THE HSCC MEETING - BRANDS HATCH 11/12 JULY
Brands
Brands
Brands
Brands
Morgan Sparrow (Ashley Sprite) with father Roger (911)
Ian Langford (Lenham) and Larry Tucker (Midget) in the CCK camp
Sprites of Peter Chappell & Tony Davis
Tony Davis's alloy-topped Sebring Rep

The long 'Grand Prix' circuit was in use and among a large field of cars were several Sprites plus Tony Wilson-Spratt's WSM MGB. Morgan Sparrow (Ashley Sprite) in his first outing practiced out of session so brought up the tail of the field. Unfortunately his engine lost all its water when a core plug blew. Then oil on the track brought the race to a halt after numerous cars went off and a further incident at the restart brought the race to an early close....and Paul Woolmer was having tyre problems with his transporter.

Chateay Impney

Chateay Impney Hill Climb this weekend (11/12 July) - in which David Wylie is taking part in the family's Speedwell GT, 505 BZ
A NEAR-COMPLETE KIT OF SHORROCK C75B SUPERCHARGER FOR SPRITE/MIDGET ON EBAY
Asking £1000
Expired - NO BIDS
Shorrock
J Peck bonnet
SPECIAL BONNET FOR SALE
Jonathan Peck is offering the restored bonnet from PMO 200, during its time registered 248 DXN, together with a mould to enable further copies to be produced.
He is looking for offers around £2,200 for the lot.
Due to their size the buyer will need to collect them.
You can contact Jon via email
J Peck bonnet
Alan Anstead tells me it is his green Frogeye which appears in the opening sequences of Wheeler Dealers.
WHEELER DEALERS & RESTORING A FROGEYE
From Cynthia Longhurst, 10 July: "I am not sure if it is of any interest to anyone but on the Quest TV channel (I am led to believe this channel is available on Freeview as well as Sky) there is a programme called Wheeler Dealers about restoring the Frogeye.  I missed today's showing of this programme but it is being shown again on Monday at 1.00pm on Quest  or 2.00pm on Quest +1".
Chris Pass
Chris Pass's Cars
This presentation (left) was sent in by Rob Clubbe and shows Chris's Midget, his Lenham GT racer and his Le Mans streamliner project which still has a long way to go.
Speedwell inlets
Shock absorber
Speedwell Inlets
SOLD AT £466!!!
Expired 16 July
Single Armstrong Adjustable
on ebay at £180
Expired - NO BIDS

714 ORO
Alistair Ross informs me that 7140 RO, left and below right, was some 10 years ago owned by Brian Kenyon who lived near Sheffield and was involved in running the Harewood Hill Climb. "The car itself had a tough life having been rebuilt a number of times and had been owned by J Mathe, T Pick and I think Gerry Marshall. It was Bill Graham who got me onto the trail of this car as he had also owned it along with 137 VMX and raced it under his Flintstone Racing name. I understood he still has the side screens for the car although these may have by now been reunited with it. Attached is I believe a picture of 7140 RO in one of its racing incarnations later in its life and its livery was then a striking purple and gold, with Bill Graham at the wheel".
Combe
Mike Wylie passed me these pictures featuring Mike Reid's 2214 UE and a Speedwell GT at Castle Combe in 1962. He thinks 7140 RO was driven by either Matthews or Fielden. Looks like another Speedwell leading them on the extreme right.
[By kind permission of Ted Walker © Ferret Fotographics]
Combe
505 BZ
A nice shot of David Wylie in the Speedwell GT at Goodwood for the Members Meeting back in March. Ctsy: Gunter Biener
A REPLY FROM STEVE NASH
re: DVLA and IVA
in "Your Comments"
I am now putting all this correspondence on a new web page.
Handles
REPRO SPEEDWELL HANDLES
Being offered on ebay sold for £510 and may well be superior in quality to the originals. Expired 14 July
EARLY FROGEYE SIDESCREEN
AHA 5414 on ebay at £20
Exp 12 July SOLD at £42
Early sidescreen
EXAMPLES OF DOCUMENTS SENT BY THE DVLA TO OWNERS OF RE-CONSTRUCTED VEHICLES
DVLA
DVLA
DVLA
DVLA
GBJ
FOR SALE AT THE H & H AUCTION ON 29th JULY
is this (?) MG Midget mascarading as a 1971 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite!! With Tifosi Rana rear end, Speedwell bonnet and a very tall Pride & Clark (Dan Dare) style hardtop. Well, we all like our cars to be a little different. £15-18K guide price
David Morys on the DVLA and "radically altered cars". As David's letter is quite long please go to the "Your Comments" page.
& MORE ON THE SUBJECT
Steve Nash says Re: IVA test. " Having spent a lot of time on this with modified Land Rovers, I can be confident that a new replacement shell will not require a vehicle to have an IVA test. It is actually quite clear on the DVLA web site, but the basics are.... You can use a new, unmodified, replacement chassis or monocoque. This is deemed a replacement part like any other. However, if you were to use a second hand chassis or monocoque, it would officially take the identity of that vehicle, not the one you are building. If that identity has been lost (e.g. scrapped), it would force it into requiring an IVA test. It is quite clearly defined by the DVLA. I've always been amazed by the 'debating' that goes on!
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles
As to the Sebring Sprite issue too: The definition for the body is based on it's structural members. A 'chassis' is well defined. A monocoque is also well defined in that it is the entire shell, less any non-stressed outer panels. A Spridget is neither of these as it is of unitary construction. It's stressed members are formed by the front chassis rails, bulkhead assembly, floor, sills and rear arch assemblies. This can be driven around without needing the outer skins attached. Therefore, adding Sebring or similar bodywork doesn't (or shouldn't!) require an IVA test".
MORE ON REBUILDS & RESTORATIONS
A constructor (name withheld) tells me that in conversation 'with VOSA Tech, it came to light that any arch where the outer skin is welded to an inner bowl would be classed as part of a monocoque, and therefore removal would lose the vehicles identity in the eyes of DVLA (on VOSAs tech advice)'. However, he goes on 'Having talked to VOSA and DVLA and the Department of Transport's Transport Technology and Standards division, it is apparent there is no change in legislation. There should be no issues to prevent registration, MOT or road use if the materials used are the same as those used in period though this is not the case with others supplying new bodies in fibreglass when aluminium was used in period.'

RETRO WARWICK EVENT ON 9th AUGUST & HEALEY ARCHIVES
Matt Philips is organising this annual event and is highlighting Warwick Council's attempt to purchase 20 boxes of Healey archives. For more information visit the event website . Matt is hoping to get some Healey cars along and Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird has already offered to display 9253 WD.

A SENSITIVE SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Two of my regular subscribers have recently brought to my attention the fact that the DVLA (or should that be DVLC) are going through a process of verifying that so-called 'historic' cars are what they are claimed to be i.e. genuine pre-74 cars. In one case, when the new owner of a very original 1969 MGB GT sent in the necessary paperwork to make a change of ownership he was bombarded by a stream of paperwork requesting details of chassis no., engine no., and numbers for other major components. They wished to know whether the chassis was original and apparently allocate points for each item, which points need to total a certain level (?) for the car to retain its original status and reg. no. plate. It would appear there is a danger that some cars might need to display a "Q" plate and go through the stringent 'Kit Car' MOT. Those of you who are restoring/rebuilding Sprites or Midgets in a revised form i.e. as a Sebring or Lenham, etc would do well to ensure you begin with a genuine car with all its numbers and endeavour to retain that continuity if the original identity is to be retained. The use of a Heritage or Wheeler body-shell as a replacement might prove problematical. It is quite a thought that Frontline's Limited Edition MGB GTs which use Heritage shells and Mazda engines might end up with a 'Q' plate! I hasten to point out I am not very knowledgable, as yet, on this subject and am setting out this text in the hope it will generate more informed debate on the subject which I will be happy to display on the site (with or without names as you may stipulate). Thank you for your time. Feedback
ORSON EQUIPMENT are about to begin making 10 pairs of splined Sebring hubs for both front and rear. 2 pairs of each are not yet spoken for so if you are interested contact Dave Wood now before this rare opportunity is gone.
Tel: 01902 906290 
MG LIVE again
Dennis Wharf contributed this photo of 9253 WD with Jonathan and Ian Turner in the background.
MG Live
7048 NX
Ian Grainger points out that 7048 NX, the supercharged Sprite featured in the Autocar road test last month, is still around and owned by Paul Mead. I also hadn't noticed that the jacking plugs in the photos have been air-brushed out. Wonder why!!
HOLLAND in October. Anyone else fancy joining us for a 2nd visit to the Healey Museum?
Feedback if you do.
Clutch roller
Those of us who are members of Midget & Sprite Club and lucky enough to live in Kent have an area rep in Alan Anstead who will turn his hand to making all sorts of items like this special clutch roller bearing for a 1275. Alan now plans to develop one for the Ron Edwards' 1098.
Clutch roller
V8
V8
2 more photos of Dave Pratt's V8 powered Sebring. Lovely neat transmission tunnel uses original gearlever surround. He says the noise is epic!
WINDOW WINDERS
I'm looking for a pair of early Spridget (1964/68) window winding mechanisms that use the chrome handle. Anyone got any? FOUND thanks

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Dave Pratt; Alan Anstead; Ian Grainger; Dave Wood; Dennis Wharf; Roger Friend; Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; Tony Wilson-Spratt; Steve Nash; Bob Hinchliffe; David Morys; Mark Matthews; Pete Taylor; Mike Wylie; Alistair Ross; Robert Clubbe; Mark Matthews; Robert Clubbe Joe Armour; Mike/David Wylie; Mike Wood; Roger Friend; and Steve Nash..

 

News ~ June 2015

Kent-based Dave Pratt has built a Sebring with a difference - it's fitted with a V8 motor!
V8
An AUTOCAR ROAD TEST
of one of the first
SUPERCHARGED Frogeyes
Road test
Archers
ARCHERS GARAGE FULLY OPERATIONAL AGAIN
Following the fire which caused severe smoke damage to his main workshop and a number of vehicles back in February, Andrew Forster is now back in operation from the adjacent building and taking on new restoration and repair work. The old landline is now disconnected and he can now be reached on
0772 984 8213
(best between 5pm & 7pm) or by email
Andrew
2080 PO
2080 Po
Pierre's 2080 PO was much admired at the Goodwood Breakfast Club and once he sorts the tricky gearbox and smokey motor is to be entered in the 1st re-run of the old Firle Hill-Climb
BO-PEEP DRIVERS CLUB
Firle Hill-Climb
20th September 2015
website
UWD
UWD
UWD
KEY 181
A WSM article
taken from Classic & Sportscar magazine some years back
[Robert Clubbe]
WSM article
PRESCOTT 27 June
Another appearance for the ex-works '59 Sebring car. John Newton's 1380 Sprite Mk 1 which climbed in 54.13secs, and a batch of early Healeys. [David Morys]
Healeys
NMY 208
NMY 208
in its original guise - now converted into the Halls Garage Tifosi SS
[Steve Hames]
WIDE WHEELS FOR YOUR FROG?
Steve Hames wanted wider wheels on his A35 so drilled the rivets out of standard Frogeye wheels and fitted 5J rims from a Ford Fiesta. Full details available on request.
A35 wheels
Collage
Collage
Having sold 410EAO some time ago Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird is now selling off his large collection of original photos on ebay at £4.99 a go. Look under A-H Sprite photos.
Collage
Egan1
Egan2
Egan 3
Egan 4
Egan 5
MORE PHOTOS FROM MG LIVE COURTESY OF JOHN EGAN
Top left is Tony Wilson-Spratt in the WSM MGB. Then 3 WSMs of Clive Cocks, Ian Hulett and Graham Robson. N.B. the early Robson car and the replica Hulett one have external door hinges while the original later car of Cocks has inboard ones. All these in the Equipe GTS race while left is Will Corry (Sebring Rep) in the Midget & Sprite round.

FROM MIKE WYLIE:
Hi Martin, The illustrations submitted by Robin Clubbe (right) are of a double page spread Advertfrom ‘Castrol Achievements 1963’, the little publicity booklets from Castrol we all eagerly awaited.   These were a free booklet, posted to us after completing a form in 'Motor Sport' magazine and usually accompanied by the lubrication chart of a car of one’s choice.   The poor souls fulfilling the requests had a thankless task as most of us asked for charts for the most unlikely cars.   Anyway, the right-hand picture shows Ian Woodside and Esler Crawford on their way to victory in the 1963 Circuit of Ireland Rally, held over the Easter weekend every year.   There is a well-known story that they had an engine fire when in the lead and were helped out by fellow competitor Ronnie White who lent them a carburettor to get to the finish, sacrificing his own placing in the common good.   Such was the chivalry in Irish rallying at the time.   Ian’s supercharged Sprite was prepared and entered by Alexander Engineering for the event, and by winning in 1963, Ian was given the privilege of starting at Number One in the ex-Works lightweight Midget, YRX.747 the following Easter, 1964. Cheers, Michael.

EUROSPEED SERVICES - BELGIUM/HOLLAND
Stephen Bowen has run this successful Spridget parts business for many years but will be winding it down at the end of this year. He tells me that he has a 3.55:1 CW/P and many other parts if anyone is interested. Email him
CLASSIC CARS - AUGUST ISSUE
Graham Bish tells me: "The August copy of Classic Cars  Magazine has, on page 96, an article entitled "My Life in Cars" by John Sprinzel.  It's over four pages and a very interesting read with good pictures".

MG LIVE, SILVERSTONE 20/21 JUNE 2015 - PHOTOS BY DAVID MORYS

MG Live
MG Live
MG Live
MG Live
9253 WD, the ex-Pedro Rodriguez Sebring car from 1962, now owned by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird
MG LIVE
MG Live
MG Live
MG Live
PMO 200
Harvey Woods' Sebring Rep
Graham Robson's WSM (202)
Ian Hulett's WSM S2
MG Live
MG Live
MG Live
MG Live

The Halls Garage Tifosi SS

MG Live
MG Live
WSM
WSM
RMO 699F, the second of the lightweight MGC's
Lorraine Noble-Thompson's WSM S2
Clive Cocks' WSM
COLIN BARNETT'S QUESTION ANSWERED - RE: SQUARE SECTION WISHBONES. From Pete Taylor:
"Hi Martin, I have a set of these on one of my Frogeyes, and have found out, following a note that came with the car, that these were produced by Gerry King. The note given to me said Gary in error. The wishbones are very strong and give negative camber. When I was looking on the net to find info on these I saw that there was someone Wishbonescalled Barry King retailing standard-looking strong reinforced wishbones in two varieties. I phoned him today and he informed me that Gerry King is his Dad who produced the square section wishbones that were very popular with owners who rallied their cars. Gerry went on to produce the strong but standard-looking wishbones until quite recently when he retired. He still has all the tooling but all the wishbone stock has been sold. The tooling is for sale should anyone wish to produce the stronger standard items. If interested contact: Barry King, Spridget Wishbones, Hertfordshire. Tel 07774 729369 b.king@ntlworld.com ".
3 MORE DIFF RATIOS:
5.125   8-44  Early Austin A35s
5.143   7-36  Very early Austin A35s
5.286   7-37  Some 803cc Morris Minors
[Roy McKnight]
Advert
Robert Clubbe sent me this interesting advert showing the Jacobs Midgets and the Circuit of Ireland Rally car.
Schloss
Schloss
Schloss
Schloss
Congratulations to Bruno Verstraete who entered DAC 952C in the Masterpieces and Style at the beautiful location of Schloss Dyck and won the International Award. He tells me: "It ran well (after its failure on Zandvoort during the Spridget meeting) thanks to Wim Janzen who really made an effort to put it back in order (including fitting the window washer bottle at its original place, cleaning the fuel tank, etc).  Wonderful organisation with a lot of enthusiasts amongst a huge variety of cars". 
"Needless to say that amongst the 65 cars there was tough competition. The weather was bad as well. A bit a remake of the Sebring 65 circumstances. Nice to have represented the brand and show them how well these little cars were running". 
Cultra
Cultra
Cultra
Trevor McIlroy was out at the Cultra Hillclimb, Northern Ireland's premier motorsport garden party at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum Cultra Co Down on the 13th June. It was his 1st motorsport event this year after suffering serious leg injuries in a skiing accident
Will Cory was also out in his very rapid Sebring, winning the Historic Class. Trevor was 4th in the class, not a bad effort with two ruptured knees.  
THAT 3.5 DIFF
Owner, Roy McKnight says "It's a standard but rare part from British Leyland. Moss list in there catalogue as Part number STR520 crown wheel and pinion 3.55-1 £349.66 . Or as an exchange unit £599.95". Roy is asking £400 for his complete unit.

Lubert Mussche has been busy creating these rather attractive boot badges. I'm waiting to here if he is offering them for sale.

Lubert
238
HAN9-R-250
ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF THE JIGSAW (1977)
The 2 pages below were passed on to me by Neil Anderson in the USA but came from Mark Donaldson in New Zealand. Aren't we international ? I find it incredible how the coupe deteriorated from near new in 1970 (left) to a pretty sorry state just 6 or 7 years later.
DIFFS (following Steve Nash's enquiry below)
Stephen Bowen points out that " In the Special Tuning data book the following diffs are listed for early cars.
3.727    11/41
3.900    10/39
4.222      9/38
4.555      9/41
4.875     8/39
5.375     8/43
for Midget 3 and Sprite Mk 4 only the first 3 are listed".
HAN9
HAN9
wishbone
Colin Barnett has these unusual fabricated box section wishbones on his car. Anyone know their origins? Feedback
S221
"S221 in good company
at Le Mans"

photo: Bopb Hinchliffe
DHMC sidescreen
If this is a genuine DHMC sidescreen someone needs to snap it up. On ebay expires 24 Jun, £10 now
ASHLEY MK 2 BONNETS
can be obtained from CCK at £525 + VAT [Turn- around 2 weeks] Make your Ashley GT look right!
Ashley 6
LM Legends


LM Legends
LM Legends
LM Legends

CHARLIE CLEGG REPORTS ON THE LE MANS LEGENDS WITH S221
"Hi Martin, Despite a misfire, we did actually complete the race and came 43rd out of 62. It was a remarkable field of cars on the grid and it was won by a Ford GT40 that actually raced at Le Mans in period. We were not able to identify what was causing the misfire while we were out there but suspect that it is an electrical issue somewhere as the electronic Stack rev counter was jumping all over the place during the race. Aside from the misfire, S221 was actually going the best it has ever run and before the misfire developed we were pulling higher speeds down the Mulsanne straight compared to the two previous years we have competed at Le Mans (in the past we had been clocked at c.135mph). Indeed when my father was driving he kept up with a Jaguar C-Type and a D-Type on the Mulsanne! I have got some good in-car footage of the race (sadly with the misfire), which I am planning to edit and put on YouTube at some point. I will forward you the details once I have got around to doing it. Many thanks, Charles". Watch the race on YouTube (S221 at 24/25/34 and 39 mins in)

LM Legends
LM Legends
S221
S221
These, and top 4 supplied by Charles Clegg
These 2 action shots kindly sent in by John Egan
Zam
Zam
Zam
The only changes to the door are the one hole and a slot at the top edge. The original mounting screws are used to fasten the window frame".
Zam

Zam
Phil Zamlynski (USA) has been busy making side windows for his replica and some tricky little exterior door handles. He says: "What’s remaining is to get some fender piping to place under the window frame so the paint is not damaged. The passenger window at least for now will not have an opening. I’m thinking of making a removable plexi section or slider but want to get on with the driver’s door frame assembly. There is sure a lot to do; lots of details.....
GINillsontop
Gert-Inge Nilsson has a rather unusual hardtop and fin for sale and is open to offers. The fin looks as though it might need re-shaping for a RHD car. Email him
GINillsonfin
I'm sure you're all sick and tired of seeing splined hubs on this page every day but Lew McAllen sent me these photos from the USA of some rather different ones fitted to his Bugeye, 'Greeny' . OBSERVATIONS APPRECIATED: Feedback
LM
LM
LM
Left here is one of his rear hubs which look very like the Sebring bolt-on ones, again 12 TPI.
The 2 pictures above show a FRONT hub (12 TPI) fitted to a drum brake. "The stud holes have been threaded - maybe to clear the drum brakes and the drums bolt to the hub. As you can see, the hub looks like a disc brake hub, except that it has an extra locating screw for the drum, like a standard hub".
LM
LM
Above are a pair of 8 TPI bolt on hubs supplied by Vic British in the US which he plans to use on the rear of another Bugeye. 
I HAVE NOW PUT FORWARD AN ORDER FOR 6 PAIRS OF FRONT & REAR SEBRING HUBS TO ORSON EQUIPMENT
CHARLES RAINFORD SEVENTH IN HIS FIRST RACE, - AT BRANDS HATCH
With many of us Sprite enthusiasts now in our 60s, 70s or even 80s it is always good to see new young blood coming on to the scene like 16 year old Charles, son of Shaun, Rainford of CCK seen here in their Maranello liveried Lenham Le Mans in a recent HRDC event. Photo: Kelvin Fagan
Charles
238
STEVE COLEMAN'S SEBRING & TARGA FLORIO CARS GO ON MARKET
Steve has decided the time has come to pass on his 2 'works' prototype wind-tunnel Sprites to a new caretaker. Both cars are restored to a high standard and are ready to race. View them here
250
TG
SEBRING SPRITE ON DISPLAY AT OYSTER BAY MUSEUM, NEW YORK
Tony Giordano's Mark 2 Sprite which was raced many times at the now disused Bridgehampton circuit by Ray Cuomo Junior back in the day, is currently being displayed alongside other historic cars in this New York museum.
TG
BIX BOOKS
BIC'S BOOKS
Bonhams are to auction a collection of Brian (Bic) Healey's books on behalf of his widow, Mary, at Oxford on 20th June
SEBRING HUBS
We only need 1 more buyer to take front & rear hubs to complete an order.
FROM JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE-BIRD:
JWB
At MG Live will be some 50 'works' cars including: 15 Mini Coopers, 2 Sprites, 5 AH 3000s, 8 MGAs, 3 MGBs, an MGC GT, 5 Triumph saloons, 4 TR7s, a Morris 1800, Austin A105, Morris Marina, Riley 1.5 and a Rover V8.
JWB
JEB
Outside The Cape, Warwick, - 3 of the 4 alloy Mk.II's readied for Sebring '63.
Bill Buckingham and chief racing mechanic Bill Hewitt working on one of the Mark 2 aluminium bodies.
Christabel Carlisle sitting in
9254 WD at the 1963 Nurburgring 1000 Km race.
SVEN ECKHARDT - CALIPER BRACKETS
Sven has 2 sets of brackets to mount ATE calipers (on Frogeye stub axles) with offset for use with Spridget hubs (though they could be machined to work with the Sebring hub). Price 350 Euros a pair. [Using the Spridget hub one has to use a spacer between the base of the hub and the brake disc.] Email him your requirements.
STEVE NASH asks:
Was the 3.55 to 1 diff ratio available as a period ST item or is it a modern development? Anyone know? If so please send me some Feedback Thanks.
MG Live9253 WD will be parked alongside PMO 200, as part of the "BMC Comp's Dept. 60th Anniversary" display.
Hubs

SEBRING HUBS, FRONT - ORDER NOW
Dave Wood of Orson Equipment is now planning to produce a number of sets of both front and rear Sebring splined hubs to original specification. They will be 300 + VAT + postage per pair. Anyone interested please contact me via Feedback

Front disc brake
Emerson
Artwork commissioned by Bill Emerson for his WSM Sanction 2
NEW ADDRESS FOR ORSON EQUIPMENT is Camco House, Dale Street, Bilston, WV14 7JY

Tel : 01902 906290

2824 MV 2824 MV
2824 MV - SPEEDWELL SPRITE
A couple of shots taken by George P. Albaugh of Bowie, Maryland USA at his town's British Car Day in the Summer of 1988. The car is owned today by Jeff Brenner
BUILDING THE SEBRING MARK 2's
Among a pile of Brian Archer's papers given me by his daughter Debbie, I found this page from Autosport, March 1962. One photo shows the panel man Bill Buckingham and chief racing mechanic Bill Hewitt working on one of the aluminium bodies.
Autosport
MORE ON SECURING THOSE REAR SPLINED HUBS
From ROGER FRIEND
MY OWN EXPERIENCES (Martin Ingall)

Ref rear hub nuts coming loose, I have had this problem with my rears, if you have MWS splined hub conversion check the taper on the fixing nuts, as mine where bottoming out on the hub flange so not tightening down the splined hub. After countless attempts to secure, I decided to spot weld them into place, reasonably successful but not 100% so I bought a set of splined halfshafts from Peter May, fitted new studs, nuts and locktabs, used Locktite thread lock, and torqued them to 60 ft lb. Have never had a problem since and I am running Dunlop Racing tyres on the road, (yes I know its illegal) but they do stick well when they are warm.
kind regards, Roger. 

I also had this problem, my Nyloc nuts becoming loose with monotonous regularity. I bought some aircraft-quality stainless steel locknuts and had the correct chamfer machined on to them but they still came loose. I then bought a further set of Nyloc nuts and had a chamfer machined on them to match the counter-sunk holes in the hubs, also taking off a small amount of steel to ensure they did not bolt down on the brake drum behind, before tightening on to the hub. I found it impossible to get a socket on the nuts so use a long ring spanner and, for some time now, when I check them they remain secure. A bit of Loctite would seem good practice as an added safety measure especially when racing. MEI


Joe Armour 6
Further images awaited
When I drove Joe Armour's Sebring/Le Mans Sprite in Australia last year it had a very noisy rear axle which Joe is now trying to sort out: " Finally bit the bullet to see what that noise was. LH rear wheel bearing was quite worn even though it was not apparent from rocking the wheel. The big surprise was that neither the LH or RH bearings had I.D. or manufacturers marks on them. Very strange I thought!  Also even though the hubs are specials with the disc bolted onto the back or inside of the hub they are single row bearings.  There is a 20mm approx spacer on the front of the hub which fits very tightly over the standard axle flange and wheel studs. Alloy brake caliper is a F.2 style with very thick pads to see out the 24 hours. I will remove the diff while this far dismantled and have Bob (Rowntree) inspect the pawl-style diff and bearings".
Geoff Hill, WSM Sanction 2 & Les Proctor, Sebring Sprite at Harewood Hill Climb. Photos: Graham Bish
OWO
OWO
OWO
OWO
XYJ
XYJ
XYJ
XYJ
For those heading for Le Mans why not meet up with all the British classics at Saint Saturnin (see below)
CBWCBW
SPLINED SEBRING REAR HUBS again
I now have orders for 2 pairs - anyone else?
Tony Giordano asks for any ideas to prevent the securing nuts loosening while racing - has anyone tried wiring them in place? Feedback please
HUB NUTS
Jeffrey Daigle has Kindly referred us to a web page belonging to MWS showing a methos for fixing those nuts

Fitting hubs
SPLINED HUBS AGAIN
Unfortunately the Moss hub RCK103L mentioned by Steve is for the 8TPI course thread spinner as it seems are both the MWS and Limora versions so we are still looking for an original spec LH hub for Tony, or more takers for new ones.
JUDSON SUPERCHARGER
for sale on ebay
currently at US$ 1,499
expires Friday 12 June
Judson
Legends
S221 AT LE MANS NEXT WEEKEND
On Saturday 13th June, Chris and Charlie Clegg will be taking part in the "Legends" race which precedes the 24 Hours, alongside some serious machinery including 7 GT40s! If you are there the Clegg team would be delighted to see you, so go and say 'Hello'.
S221-Goodwood
700 DRM
ANOTHER CLIMAX
-engined Frogeye, this one Imp-based offered at auction last year.
RACING MG MIDGET
Nikolaj Mortensen's car is still for sale - see it racing on YouTube
NM
LOG BOOK
I have a green log book from a blue 1963 Sprite Mk2 with 3 number/3 letter reg if anyone can use it. GONE
Dunboyne
Dunboyne
Glenn Castle
ABRIDGE (ESSEX) VILLAGE CLASSIC SHOW
Saturday 6th June
Website
Mike Wylie sent in these 3 photos (above) of Alec Poole racing at Dunboyne in Ireland. In the left-hand pair he is driving TZA 238 but Mike points out that in the Dunboyne Trophy Races of 1966 Alec drove the Sprite, his Wolseley Hornet and an MGB.
Photos courtesy of www.dreolin.ie

SPLINED HUBS
Stephen Bowen has pointed out that Moss do a splined bolt-on hub RCK103L at £40 each though it lacks the locating ring at the back. Tony is going to get one as a temporary measure. Jeffrey Daigle says MWS also do one.

WANTED
Used fibreglass Sebring bonnet for racing purposes.
Please contact Sylvain Proyart in France if you can help.
via email
Sebring bonnet
SEBRING SPLINED BOLT-ON REAR HUBS
Tony Giordano in New York is in need of a Left-Hand side rear Sebring hub for his race car. If anyone has a spare they would consider selling, please let me know via Feedback. In the past Orson Equipment Ltd have supplied them but they need an order for 5 pairs at about £300 per pair. Anyone else in the market for a pair?
A CLIMAX-ENGINED FROGEYE
Reputed to have been converted by Jack Brabham for a customer in period. The fact that the car has been in Italy for some time may possibly explain the reason the Climax engine is still in place! NOW SOLD
Climax Frogeye
DIFF FOR SALE
Roy McKnight has an as-new 3.5-1 diff for Midget/Sprite and is asking £400. He can pack and courier it in the UK by UPS for £20 but enquire if you are overseas, or collect it from Haslemere Surrey . Email
JOHN SPRINZEL becomes patron of the HRDC AcademyHRDC
[via Mike Wylie]
WHEEL BEARINGS
Mike Wood has referred me to a blog discussing the availability of quality bearings. Link
THE STREAMLINERS
My article "A Little Bit of Detective Work" was recently published by Reid Trummel in the Austin-Healey Club of America's magazine 'Healey Marque'. He received an interesting response from a David Honness - see "Your Comments" . The Article is at Part 1 and Part 2
From BERNIE HIGGINSON:
"I have long been a fan of the wind tunnel cars and after seeing a couple of them in the flesh at The Healey Museum last September, I am even more enthused. So I was wondering, do you know if anyone has considered  making replicas of these cars in fibreglass?" I am not aware of a fibreglass replica available.
Bruno Verstraete is planning to enter DAC 952C in a concours in Germany called "Masterpieces and Style", and 'As there is a class for unrestored cars that show signs of use he thought taking DAC 952C to the event would be a good idea'. However he has to do some small tasks first including re-fitting the original washer bottle, sorting a dodgy distributor and getting FIVA papers.

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Bruno Verstraete; David Honness; Bernie Higginson; Roy McKnight; Mike Wylie; Mike Wood; Tony Giordano; Derek Stewart; Stephen Bowen; Jeffrey Daigle; Sylvain Proyart; Glenn Castle; Bob Hinchliffe; Nikolaj Mortensen, John Ruth; Sven Eckhardt; Charlie Clegg, Jeffrey Daigle, Graham Bish, Gert-Inge Nilsson, Lew McAllan, Kelvin Fagan, Steve Coleman, Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, John Egan, Phil Zamlynski, Colin Barnett, Steve Nash, Ken Grasing, Andrew Forster, Alan Anstead and Pete Taylor.

 

News ~ May 2015

WJJ
WJJ 998
Bill Postins has now sold this Sebring Replica and it has been purchased by Stephen Birch.
James
TZA 238
A new web page about the Alec/Arnie Poole & James/Edward Thacker one-eyed Sprite
DAVID MORYS'S PICS FROM PRESCOTT 23/24TH MAY
Prescott
Prescott
Prescott
Prescott
Sebring, I believe, of Les Proctor of Cleckheaton.
The immaculately restored ex=Alec Poole Sprite in the hands of its owner James Thacker
Pat Cooper's Ashley-bonneted Frogeye
Mill Garage
MILL GARAGE & DICK JACOBS
Hi Martin, I've just seen the mention of the Mill Garage in Woodford which brought back a lot of memories, as I only lived about 2 miles away. This was my local BMC dealer and although I didn't own a sports car myself at the time my Morris Minor 1000 had all the 'Sprite bits', so regular visits ensued. Anyway I thought this page from a book titled  'Woodford then and now' might be of interest. The photo at the bottom is as it is now, taken from roughly the same spot. Regards Pat Harris. 
Prescott
Prrscott
Relay
Doug Wilson Spratt, David Seigle Morris, John Sprinzel, Ian Walker, Paul Hawkins,Chris Williams and Peter Jackson.
[6 Hour Relay]
FROM JOHN SPRINZEL IN HAWAII
"Loved the video of Bolster and Salvadori at Silverstone. Back then it really was a scary circuit in that it was very fast, especially Woodcote, Club and Stowe. Those little cement block "walls" were very dangerous indeed and quite a few of my racing pals touched them with their saloon cars and somersaulted as a result. Spectators and photographers stood inches away from the track and especially at Woodcote, where just a shallow beam separated parked racegoers cars from the track. All wonderful fun though.
The Sebring Sprite team did quite well there in the six hour relay"
Sprinzel A35
John a year or two earlier corners his red A35 while leading one of the Jags - probably Tommy Sopwith. Note the cement block 'walls'
Sebring 59
FROM JOE ARMOUR IN AUSTRALIA
come these photos of Sebring in 1959 including an aerial photo of the circuit. Joe has also sebt this link to a video of racing at Sebring in the 1950's - well worth a watch.
Sebring map
WANTED
Frogeye Hardtop
Contact: Tony by email
Shorrock Carb pipe
NEW SHORROCK PARTS from Keith Luck (see his ad on right) include this Carb pipe on ebay at £80
Keith Luck
Mill Garage
An atmospheric shot of one of the 2 Dick Jacobs Midgets taken at Mill Garage in 1962
[from the Revs Library]
Hi Martin, What a lovely picture, I've never seen it before, looks like Dick at the wheel. Having bought my first MG in 1971, a Mineral Blue Midget registration XYK 824G and being an Essex resident, the Mill Garage became my first stop for spares etc.  Seeing this picture was a real memory jerker, for the forecourt and buildings remained unaltered until being demolished in 1975 to make way for the M11. By that time I'd met Dick a couple of times, and had been shown all around the place, and all the racing stuff he'd collected over years and kept in the office.  Great times, thanks Martin. Cheers Den(nis Wharf)

Rev Counter
David Scothorn has acquired this 5" 'works' Smiths rev counter which he would like to renovate. It is missing its' 'tell tale' and drive cable. Where would he find these parts? Is it fitted on another car as a production part? Before touching it he wonders if anyone might know the source of more info, model number, technical drawing, etc.
Feedback please

Rev Counter
There is a drilling (to the left of the right hand buttress) for a cable insert, which would set, or possibly return a red hand to zero.. and a shank over the pivot of the white hand.
Pete Taylor sent in this photo of his 3 'AEA649' FJ cams each with drive gear for the scavenge pump of an XSP engine.
Cams
INFORMATION PLEASE!
Sven Eckhardt wonders if anyone knows anything of his car's history perhaps in rallying. See TRV 202
Feedback
Eckhardt
UWD97
THE EX-WORKS HUGH SUTHERLAND 1959 SEBRING SPRITE
was spotted last weekend, by Mike Pope and friends at the Chiltern Hills Rally in Aylesbury. It now sports the registration number UWD 97.  The owner was listed as H.Morgan of Hertford who has apparently acquired the car (formerly owned by Butch Gilbert in the USA) as an investment.
UWD 97
Shorrock
SHORROCK SUPERCHARGERS
A newly acquired document originally circulated by the Allard Motor Co describing the various installations then available together with technical information.
[Click on image]

More on XSP engines and their camshafts, from Mike Wylie in Northern Ireland.
See: "Your Comments"
Nutland
Nutland
Nutland
Nutland

Nutland

1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY FROGEYE SPRITE FOR SALE - £11,500 ono
Rebuilt from a bare shell, including its mechanicals, with new interior, a 999cc half race engine with 45 Weber (possibly Formula Junior spec), front disc brakes, uprated rebuilt shockers, new tyres, etc... Less than 50 miles since rebuild. All steel body, areas of the paint preparation could be improved and the previous owner grazed the offside rear wing - with a flat, buff and small areas of respray, it could be transformed to best show condition.
Interested parties please contact David Nutland on 01202 474890 or email

4444DA
4444DA
4444DA
4444DA
Above are some photos which were missing from the Sven Eckhardt/Stan Annis correspondence in "Your Comments"

SOME SALE ITEMS BELOW

Brake Levers
Healey Wheel
Mod Motoring

Sprinzel badge
Pete & Paul Taylor have had these brake levers Laser-cut for the 8" Girling rear brakes £25 pair. Contact Pete
This original Healey wheel came up recently on ebay and Pete Taylor narrowly missed it at US$ 122.50
A copy of John Sprinzel's "Modified Motoring" on ebay - expires 1st June, currently at £12.99
A slightly tatty Sprinzel badge on ebay - expires 19 May - currently at £10.50
(not actually rare, as new ones are still available)

CYRIL SIMSON
Chris Clegg, current owner of S221 says: "Thanks for the sad news. I'm so glad that he was able to join us at Goodwood a few years ago where he seemed to be so pleased to meet up again with some of his old racing friends. He said to me at the time that the two years when he raced S221 were the two most enjoyable years of his life".
[Pictured right, Cyril talking to Chris at Goodwood, 2006]

Cyril
Sven talks to Stan Annis, original owner/rally driver of 4444 DA which he recently acquired from Paul Webb and plans to restore. "Your Comments" 20 Mar to 8 Apr
Bournemouth
CYRIL SIMSON
"Very sad to report that Cyril Simson has died. One of the original Sebring Sprite racers, and long time friend, the photo is from Sebring, with Paul Hawkins, John Hill and I after the twelve hour race. RIP"
John Sprinzel
CyrilHawkins, Sprinzel, Simson & Hill
Following on from my Brands Hatch report Pete Taylor says: "Brian Bedford was the driver who spun his Sprite at Paddock; Andrew Actman arrived at the scene after the spin that was due to oil on the track; others also had problems with this. Complaints were made to the clerk of the course. Brian's car was badly damaged on the driver's side rear, the accident sufficient to damage the rear axle. The complete rear end body may need replacement, possibly space framing may be the best answer. An unfortunate racing incident due to someone's oil leak".

MGCC BRANDS HATCH RACE MEETING 2/3 MAY 2015

Brands
Both the Equipe GTS & the Sprite-Midget Challenge had rounds on both Saturday and Sunday in rather mixed weather conditions. Paddock Hill Bend was especially slippery and in Saturday's race another car spun in front of Andy Actman's Sebring causing extensive damage. Fortunately Andy was unhurt, the other driver having a minor leg injury. A variety of bonnets are now in use. which makes the racing more interesting. [Sat photos: John Egan]
Brands
Ian Hulett - WSM Sprite was plagued by a slipping clutch
Tony Wilson-Spratt's WSM MGB looked great
Brands
Brands
Brands
Brands
Richard Homer's Midget with Sebring Mk 1 bonnet
Andy Southcott's
Lenham Le Mans
John Hilbery's Lenham GT with Ashley Mk2 bonnet
Andy Actman's Sebring which had a 'nasty' on Saturday
Sunday's Spridget race was for the STEVE EVERITT MEMORIAL TROPHY won this year by Martin Morris
Martin Morris
Ed Reeve
Paul Campfield
Druids
Victorious Martin Morris
2nd placed Ed Reeve
3rd was Paul Campfield
[Sun photos: Dennis Wharf]
JONATHAN's XSP ENGINE
Read the correspondence with Colin Barnett on "Your Comments"
XSP
Bentley lights
Kirk Green has 3 s/h Bentley rear lights if anyone should want to fit them to a modified Sebring coupe (as on Jack Wheeler's car). Feedback
PMO

PMO
PMO
PMO

FROM JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE-BIRD (with photos above) re: PMO 200
"Great to see the press cutting of Paul, Tom and myself inspecting the very sad looking remains of PMO 200 all those years ago. There really was very little that had survived and Paul didn't get a lot for his £15K.  In contrast, I paid £100 for the wreck of EAO in 1990. The only way we were able to positively identify PMO on that day was because the original Enots quick release fuel filler cap, with it's added bracket for sealing the tank during the race at Sebring, had survived with the car; the surviving front section (mainly the windscreen area) of the W&P coupe top also retained the two small holes, above the windscreen wiper bezels, where the windscreen washer jets (a feature unique to Sprinzel's own W&P coupe) had once been fitted. Beyond that the bodyshell was so badly cut-up, altered or damaged to make any other detective work futile. As can be seen by the attached photos, of which I have plenty more, someone had re-attached the steel rear end from a scrap Frogeye and tried to blend the later 60s fastback alloy top to them.By the time the car reached the auction room the 'remains' of the alloy roof seen here, had somehow been completely flattened level with the scuttle - don't ask! "

Lenham bonnet
Robert Clubbe is offering this Lenham bonnet on ebay. SOLD at £100 - Tues 5 May
Shorrock plateThis aluminium mounting plate for a Shorrock supercharger is on ebay at £25.50 (Buy it Now) but is an alli version strong enough?
PMO
PMO 200
Remember this article back in 1999 when Paul Woolmer, Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird and Tom Coulthard went to inspect the remains of one of Sprinzel's rally cars after Tony Elshof's death? Paul later acquired it at auction for a princely sum.

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Robert Clubb, Pete Taylor, Tony Giordano, Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, John Egan, Dennis Wharf, John Sprinzel, Chris Clegg, Jonathan Peck, Mike Wylie, David Nutland, Sven Eckhardt, Stan Annis, Mike Pope, Keith Luck, David Scothorn, Joe Armour, Pat Harris, David Morys, James Thacker, Bill Postins, and Steven Birch.

 

News ~ April 2015

Kees manifold
Kees manifold
Kees manifold
Kees manifold
I recently sold my PADDY GASTON inlet manifold to Kees van Beijmerwerdt in Holland and he has now installed it on his engine: "After some planing of the joint faces, the making of 2 additional alloy spacers and a linkage support for the accelarator cable I have installed the manifold on my 998 Sprite. Engine started right away and runs very smooth, so it is not only looking as a nice addition!"
Satterfield
Satterfield
Satterfield
Satterfield

A 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite that was found festering in California before being bought for $100 is to be campaigned in the gruelling Rally Historico Transpeninsular from 21-24 May. The car, which was bought by "serial adventurer and blogger" Michael Satterfield was discovered languishing in an abandoned aircraft hangar and was quickly dubbed 'El Guapo'  – Spanish for 'the handsome one'. It was originally built by an enthusiast named J Giddens and features front bodywork that Satterfield believes to be unique. "We gave the car the name 'El Guapo' as a joke, since it is not the prettiest of cars," said Satterfield. "I've been focusing on keeping the car's build budget low to showcase just how accessible historic motorsport can be." The race, which is in its inaugural year and caters for pre-'73 classics, will take Satterfield and the Healey across 1100 miles of punishing terrain in Baja California, including regularity sections from MexicoTijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The project has been backed by a number of specialists, including Moss Motors. Other rally entrants include muscle cars such as Ford Mustangs, a Chevrolet Camaro SS and a Dodge Charger, with European manufacturers represented by a Mercedes-Benz 280SL and BMW 2002.
[Forwarded by David Morys] [The peninsular can be seen on the left side of this map:]

Ashley
AN ASHLEY SPRITE GT badge on ebay.
SOLD at £10.50 - 3 May
HARRY'S SEARCH FOR RALLY PROJECT
I have received an offer of a Lenham Le Mans, a Lenham GTO, a kit of bonnet/rear bodywork for a Lenham GT, and a part-rally-prepared Midget Mark 2 so Harry has a few possibilities so far. Keep 'em coming. Thanks.
Allard
Judson
Judson
Judson
An ALLARD-SHORROCK badge on ebay.
SOLD at £10.50 - 3 May
A JUDSON SUPERCHARGER advert on ebay. SOLD at US$9.99 - 3 May
A WELL-USED JUDSON SUPERCHARGER KIT FOR 'A' SERIES on ebay. SOLD at US$589.73 - 4 May
A JUDSON INSTALLATION KIT with carburettor on ebay.
SOLD at US$899, - 2 May
WANTED - PROJECT CAR FOR RALLYING
Harry Scheper from Holland had his eye on Angelo van der Rijt's Lenham GT but that has now been sold. Does anyone know of anything similar that Harry could build up as a rally car, LHD or RHD? Feedback please.
Innocenti
Another INNOCENTI SPYDER for sale on ebay - a much better one this time.
SOLD at US$2,852 - 30 April
Car SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
More photos of 9253 WD, this time from Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, taken from the CAR S.O.S. programme and subsequent displays at the London Transport Museum and the Heritage Centre, Gaydon. Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend were the presenters with Sir Stirling Moss in attendance.
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
CAR SOS
Gaydon
Gaydon
Gaydon
Gaydon
It didn't take Bob Hinchliffe long to get to Gaydon - these are his photos of the Pedro Rodriguez Sebring car.
HEALEY MUSEUM TRIP
Would anyone like to join our little convoy to the Netherlands in early October. 2 Sebrings so far - mine and Bob Blayden's.
Feedback
RAY ENGLISH tells me he has this copy of the John Bolster/Roy Salvadori film in the Sprite Room. There is not much Sprite memorabilia that escapes him is there!
film
DID SOMEONE BAD-MOUTH WJB 707 ON A 'BLOG'?
One interested party told the auctioneers that he had seen adverse comments about the car on a 'blog'. As the car is, without doubt in my opinion, the most original of the 4 Sprinzel Coupes known to survive this is hard to understand. WJB is the only car with all its original W & P alloy bodywork and its original body-shell (whilst acknowledging that, as with most 50 year old cars, some new metal had to be incorporated during its restoration). If you have seen adverse comments please let me know so they can be disputed: Feedback

Stephen Bowen has kindly passed to me correspondence between himself and John Sprinzel earlier this month, and also between John Sprinzel and Damian Jones of H & H

All adds to the story.

9253 wd moss
Stirling at the wheel of 9253 WD
Jonathan tells me that the car is currently on display at Gaydon after which it goes to AH Spares for a time, and then to MG Live at Silverstone.
My apologies - I omitted to include the photos Jonathan sent me of his unusual clutch - these have now been added: Link
LETTER FROM STEPHEN BOWEN re: WJB707 and the Auction.
It was a pity and a surprise that my car was dealt with fastest and had the least interest of all the 90 cars at Duxford. This after the work that Damian Jones and H&H did to promote the car. I thought that they had given it enormous coverage both at home and abroad and had done a lot of work to find out new details and background information. Also in the last week we both had contact with John Sprinzel  who gave us a lot more details of the sale to 'the level crossing man' and told us how he looked after the car when it was in Corsica with Pat Moss and other nice snippets of inside information and if H&H and naturally John Sprinzel agree I will share this with you later. Some time ago I was looking at the possibility that a friend of my brother would maybe sell the car. He supplies private collectors in Russia and China where the car can fetch the top prices but I decided against this as the car would probably never be seen again. This is why it was in the Dutch Healey Museum until just before the Auction and I brought it over for the NEC last year so that other people could enjoy it as I have over the years. But I have to say looking at the lack of interest this is probably the way to go and I will look at it again once the contract with H&H has finished. Many thanks for the interest in the car to date. Stephen Bowen 
Innocenti
INNOCENTI SPRITE restoration project on ebay.
SOLD AT $2,275
expired Thurdsay 23 April
J & S
Alan Mead has now traced the original aluminium J & S hardtop to Neville Mansfield in Queensland.

LETTER FROM JONATHAN
following the showing of 9253 WD on CAR S.O.S

* * * * * *

These 3 Speedwell adverts kindly sent in by Robert Clubbe, right:

Speedwell Ad
Speedwell
Speedwell

ALAN MEAD's HARDTOP (4 rows down)
Ray English tells me it was made by J & S. Sydney, Australia. Colin Dodds used to own one, and Pete Fellows tells me a John Robertson in Brisbane has one on his car too.

Fancy a Healey SR? This one for sale in Belgium was built up from spare parts. Go to
Car & Classic At one time asking price was 500k Euros!!
Healey SR
H & H
H & H
H & H
H & H
DISAPPOINTING RESULT AT DUXFORD ~ WJB FAILS TO REACH RESERVE
Bidding started in the early £60ks and rose only a little before fizzling out.
Perhaps a buyer will come up for this wonderful specimen in the next few weeks.
[Photos by Derek Stewart and Bob Hinchliffe] [Apparently 650 FTX failed to appear on the day]
Cynthia Longhurst, partner of the late Ian Ashfield (Sebring devotee) has kindly arranged for a friend to upload the CAR S.O.S. programme about the restoration of Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird's Sebring Mark 2 on to YouTube
You will find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dinSX_8B3vE entitled "Car SOS Sebring Sprite for Ian".
Cynthia can also supply the programme on disc if anyone would like one - Feedback
Alan Mead
Alan Mead
Alan Mead
Alan Mead who lives near Melbourne in Australia is building a Sebring Fastback but has become side-tracked by a Bugeye fitted with a Mark 2 rear end and this unusual hardtop which he is hoping to identify. Anyone know its maker or its origins? Feedback please.
CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Curtis on getting his Sebring Rep to the painting stage. It's been a long haul but he's nearly there.
M Curtis
Hardtop
WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD Sebring GT hardtop for sale on ebay (ignore the basketcase beneath) SOLD FOR £157
on 18 April
Eckhardt
Our Surgeon friend in Germany has finally got his Sebring Rep back on the road after its serious accident, and has also been rebuilding a LHD Frogeye. His story is in "Your Comments"
He recently acquired 4444 DA for restoration about which more will follow.
Eckhardt
Riley brake lever
Pete Taylor is building up a set of 8" Girling rear brakes.
The handbrake levers were missing so are having to be cut from solid material, see sketch drawing, left. It pivots on a pin measuring ¼" X ⅝" (0.245" X 0.66") and the end of the pin has a slight chamfer. As the ⅝" wheel cylinders are only available without pistons I got Paul Smith to make up a couple of pairs in stainless steel at £35 per pair.
RW Cylinder
Did anyone see CAR S.O.S on Thursday? If so, what did you think of it?
WJB
H & H AUCTION AT DUXFORD
Less than a week to go before the sale of WJB 707, the ex-Ian Walker Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Coupe (left). The next lot will be the supercharged 650 FTX looking a lot better than when it was last for sale about 3 yrs ago.
650 FTX
Air Blower GaugeBlower Gauge
on ebay, currently at £16 expires 12 April SOLD £67.55
Stephen Bowen has the following N.O.S items for sale in original BMC or Leyland wrappers
4  x  AEG624   1275  con rods
1  x  ATA7093  4.55 diff assy
1  x  8G9112   tonneau cover sprite/midget 61-63 RHD
2  x  BTA744   Front stub axle
2  x  BTA745   Front stub axle
2  x  2A7087   Rear hub steel
Prices on enquiry

WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD
“During my visit to the Classic Restoration Show I had the pleasure of meeting up with Graeme Williams, son of the late Charlie Williams of Williams & Pritchard fame.  Graeme’s Dad passed away following a heart attack around the time Graeme finished his university education in 1969, and he feels very much that he never really had an opportunity to talk to his father about his work. Unfortunately it seems that Charlie and his partner, Len Pritchard had conflicts from time to time and when he died Charlie had been contemplating breaking away and setting up a new operation with an American contact. It may well have been the stress of coming to this decision that contributed to his demise at the fairly young age of just 59. When Tim Saunders’ excellent Williams & Pritchard website was up-and-running, Graeme rather felt it was a little biased towards the Pritchard side of the partnership. This is no reflection on Tim or his website, merely that Len was still very much around until only a few years ago (2008) and therefore available to provide much of the information. I gather that originally it was Len, although a capable sheet metalworker himself, who ran the fibreglassing side of the operation while Charlie worked with one-off sheet aluminium projects. Graeme would very much like to meet or correspond with some of those who may have worked for, or with, or been customers of his father way back in the 50’s and 60’s in order to learn more about the company’s early history and his Dad’s part in it”.

Con Rods
Nikolaj Mortensen is offering a set of N.O.S. 1275 con rods (AEG625 ) new in grease paper and original boxes. £450
and a 5:375 Diff, complete and ready to fit. £275.
Contact Nikolaj by email if interested.
5.3 diff
DTA 949C
Mark Knight of Retro Marques Ltd
is offering this Sebring Replica with Peel Fastback and Speedwell Monza bonnet at £19,950
It is also now on ebay
DTA
Ashley top
ANOTHER ASHLEY HARDTOP on ebay - needing restoration. Currently at £100 expires on 12 April SOLD £155
Jonathan's newly restored Sebring adorns the cover of Mascot magazine - the photo taken at the London Transport Museum where it is on display.
Mascot
GOODWOOD 73RD MEMBERS' MEETING
is to be televised on ITV on Easter Monday at 11.50.p.m.
BOB BLAYDEN, NSW AUSTRALIA
had "a big day for the Green Car - took it to the Sprite Display Day & Concours in Sydney and won 3 trophies & 2 bottles of wine. A very pleasing day". Bob is bringing the car over to the UK for a tour which will include Castle Combe, the Healey Museum and a run down to Italy in October this year.
Blayden

Duxford Auction brochure can now be viewed on line -
see Lots 30 and 31
H and H
7080AC
John Phillips kindly sent me 2 photos of Jack Wheeler's car, 7080 AC back in 1969 at the Nurburgring 500kms where "Jack was on for a class fastest lap and then rolled it coming out of the Karussell!  The car was put on a trailer under a tarpaulin and brought back to London where it stayed for 30 years until it's restoration. Ho hum!"
7080ac
Falcon
Lenham
w & p
yrx
John Poulter kindly sent me these 4 clippings about the Falcon Sprite, the first Lenham coupe, W & P and YRX - all good stuff.
Lossy 1
Paul Loss has done a fantastic job, researching and modelling the 1958 and 1959 British Rally Championship winning cars. John Sprinzel drove the two Sprites and the Alfa.
Lossy 2
Kellison

Via Facebook come these illustrations
of the Kellison front end
which was available in the States back in the 60's.
Kellison
AWD Fastback
Adrian Wilson of ADW Automotive tells me that the white Sebring Rep AHP 205A (right) listed as Graham Maggs Car - was purchased last year by ADW Automotive and following additional works was sold to a new owner in West Sussex.The Grey Sebring DTA 949C is apparently off the market and back with its original owner. [But see higher up the page]
GM 26
WYT
WYT 381 ~ the Barry Shawzin Sprite
Back in 2011 I was introduced to Shelagh and Andrew Garbutt who were negotiating to purchase this historic rally-car. I have just learned that they did go ahead with that deal and the car will be restored by Paul Woolmer's operation next year.
WYT

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
Shelagh and Andrew Garbutt; Adrian Wilson of AWD Automotive; Rob Clubbe; Paul Loss; John Poulter; John Phillips; Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; David Scothorn; Bob Blayden; Mark Knight of Retro Marques Ltd; Nikolaj Mortensen, John Maddocks; Steve Nash; Graeme Williams, Pete Taylor, Stephen Bowen, Neil Anderson, Sven Eckhardt, David Scothorn, Leigh Grove, Mike Curtis, Alan Mead, Cynthia Longhurst, Ray English, Pierre Lequeux, Bob Hinchliffe, Ken Grasing, Harry Scheper, David Morys, and Kees van Beijmerwerdt.

 

News ~ March 2015

73MM
GOODWOOD 73RD MEMBERS' MEETING
What a fabulous weekend we had at Goodwood. Not too many people, freedom to wander wherever you wanted - even including grid walks, nice warm halls with hot food to enable you to get warm, absolutely amazing cars and excellent racing. What more could you want? - well, warmer weather I suppose. My full report will follow shortly.
73MM
Graham Robson leads Rae Davis in practice in their WSMs
and Ian Burford (Lumbertubs) leads David Wylie (Speedwell)
THE RESTORATION OF 9253 WD ON CAR S.O.S
Car SOS
Car SOS
Car SOS
Car SOS
Meerlo
Car SOS
Car SOS
Car SOS
Due to appear on Thurs, 9th April at 8 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel is the CAR S.O.S. programme's rebuild of Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird's ex-Pedro Rodriguez Sebring car. You can view a snippet on http://youtu.be/luoFiGkhRbw
(The standard Mark 2 of Michael Meerlo was, I believe used for comparison purposes.)
CONGRATULATIONS to DAC 952C which first raced at Sebring exactly 50 years ago last weekend.
Brill
Climax
A 750cc Coventry Climax engine & Shorrock supercharger were recently offered on ebay but failed to get a bid. Asking was £900. Follow it up if you like.
Cole
[copyright]
While at Goodwood over the weekend I visited Ted Walker's Ferret Fotographics stall and discovered a photo marked on the back '64NSCC Silv - Cole'. I wonder if this could be the Peter Cole that Bob Hinchliffe was enquiring about. The same car, UMW 685 is also on another of Ted's photos, driven by Jeff Goodliffe at Wiscombe Park in Sept 1962, right. I wonder what became of it.
Goodliffe
[copyright]

765BXN
Trevor McIlroy tells me that the ex-Mike Youles, ex-Paul Tarry Sebring which displayed JT 51 in homage to the late Peter Clark "has made its way, via Julius Thurgood, across to the emerald isle". It is now owned by Will Corry who "intends to compete in the Irish Historic race series".Trevor took these photos on Sunday "at the first Cars & Coffee meeting at the Maze Race Course in the City of Lisburn Co. Antrim". We wish Will every success with the little car.

765 BXN
Ex-Bowen Rep
Sven Eckhardt has pointed out that the ex-Bowen Replica is for sale at 22,500 Euros through Robert Visser's company, Carrosso
Peter Cole's FJ-engined Sprite
Bob Hinchliffe reminisces about a special day he spent at Silverstone in 1963. See his letter in "Your Comments". Can anyone tell us more? Feedback if you can please.
Cynthia Longhurst (partner of the late Ian Ashfield) has kindly offered to get a friend to put CAR S.O.S. on disc for us.

Car SOS
For those with access to the National Geographic Channel
on CAR S.O.S is to be "Stirling Moss Sprite Special ~
Tim & Fuzz fix up a historic racing car, the Austin Healey Sebring Sprite so that Sir Stirling Moss can get back behind the wheel!"
~ to be shown on Thurs, 9th April at 8 p.m.
(repeated Fri, 10th April at 1 a.m. and Sat 11th April at 4 p.m.)
[Moss actually drove 9254 WD at Sebring while this car is 9253 WD driven by Pedro Rodriguez, but it makes a good story]
LHD
SPRITE MARK 1 DASH COWLS - NOW SOLD
Though very hard to find these days, there there have been both LHD and RHD cowls available on ebay. The LHD one (left) is #171711330617 and fetched £40 andthe RHD one (right) is #301556428969 and fetched £128, both expired Sunday 15th.
RHD
PHILIP YOUNG
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Philip Young that maverick historic rally organiser who took us on the Monte Carlo Challenge, the Classic Marathon and many other fascinating events. Apparently Philip fell from a motor cycle while organising his "Road to Mandalay" rally out in Burma. Tom Coulthard tells me: "there is an Italian website where someone comments with evident authority that Philip was shuttling between customs posts trying to iron out problems at the border crossing, which has been closed for years. He had jumped on the back of a local motorbike – without a helmet, of course – and had fallen off at relatively low speed, hitting his head badly".
Read more at: http://www.endurorally.com/pages/philip-young
1961 SEBRING
Charlie Clegg sent me this link to Jack Mahall's 1961 Sebring photos with many shots of the Sprites that year.
Brett Pruitt in Hawaii just told me of this advert for WJB 707:

http://www.sportscarillustrated.com/News_2015/E/news15E_0405.html

Word gets around!
WJB
W & P
W & P
W & P
W & P
Having just realised that his W & P brochure could be worth £107 Graeme Williams (son of Charlie) has kindly shared his copy with us before filing it safely away!
487 CKP
You guys were quick off the mark with your answers to my question below. Many thanks to David Scothorn, Steve Nash, Ian Grainger, John Sprinzel and Maarten Krikken. The facts: 487 CKP was driven by Ray Brookes navigated by R. Wells-West and finished 25th overall and 3rd in class behind Sprinzel in PMO 200 and Wisdom in YAC 940, the 3 Sprite team cleaning up - the only time that happened for quite some years. Mark is preparing an article for the motor racing blog: http://primotipo.com
487
487 CKP
Mark Bisset in Adelaide is trying to identify the driver and navigator of this Sprite No.105 in the 1958 Alpine Rally - Sprinzel won the class.
Feedback please.
487 CKP
Mystery car
Remember this mystery car mentioned in July 2012 ~ looks like it could be the same car (110 JHA) in Ian Turner's photo lower down this page on right
WSM 203
WSM 203
is still for sale in Japan
(at £95k) see Car & Classic
I can provide more info if anyone is interested.
JAX 12
JAX 12 in the hands of Jack Wolchover (left)
and the Brians with their creations, a photo taken from the Plastic Surgery article, below
The Brians
Sprite Fight
"NEW" ARTICLES
Someone kindly sent me a copy of Classic & Sportscar for Sept 1993 containing this article, right, entitled Plastic Surgery about the 2 Brians - Archer and Wheeler at the time the Sebring kit and Wheeler bodyshell were first on the market.
Left is another article, this time from Stephen Bowen's collection of Sebring records and taken from Collector's Car in June 1980 - and written by John Sprinzel.
Plastic Surgery
793 XPP
Graham Robson's WSM now has its new stripe and only awaits its race numbers for Goodwood and, right, Ian Burford leaves the pits while testing Tubby, the Lumbertubs Sprite.
I hear Dan Paul and Colin Barnett will be spectating with me.
Lumbertubs
5506 AR
Graham Robson has been out practicing his Sebring at Goodwood in readiness for the 73rd Members Meeting on March 21-22 where he will drive his WSM. [Photo: John Baggott]
I'll be there - anyone else coming?
wheel arch
URGENTLY WANTED
Pete Fletcher is urgently in need of the outer sections of the Frogeye rear wheel arches for his car. None of the main distributors seem to have any in stock. Can anyone help?
If so please email him
AA
2 INTERESTING PHOTOS FROM IAN TURNER.
On the left in 1965 is the very sad looking 1413 WD of Arthur Appleby which had been the Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans car 4 years earlier alongside Peter Smith's Speedwell GT. Right are B. White and R.Eccles at Mallory Park in Oct 1969. I've not seen that coupe before and which driver is in which car?
BW
ENX
ENX
ENX
ENX
ENX
ENX
ENX
ENX
Bob Kemp has sent me a number of photos of ENX 416C, one of the 1965 Le Mans Sprites as it was when discovered in Scotland by Dennis Welch. Seems incredible someone would let such an important car deteriorate to that extent - but it looks a bit different now. Thanks Bob.
Femi
Femi
Femi
Femi

Femi Odutolu is building this Sebring Fastback and has now decided to install a K Series engine, leaving him with a surplus 1275. It has been stripped down, bored out to 1330cc, and has a set of used +60 omega pistons. The crankshaft is wedged and new camshaft bearings have been installed. All the parts are there with the exception of the front and back plates and carburettors. He is looking for £350 - email him if you are interested. NOW SOLD (31Mar15)

Tifosi
MG & TRIUMPH SPARES DAY - MARCH 1st - STONELEIGH
Hoards of enthusiasts braved the cold, damp weather to gather in 4 large halls to devour the feast of cars and spare parts on Sunday. The Tifosi SS was again present, but the car of most interest to me was the ex-Alec Poole "one-eyed Sprite", newly restored, after many silent years, by James Thacker and friends. A new web page coming I think.
TZA

 

News ~ February 2015

Rev Ctr

Rebuilt Speedwell Rev Counter with analogue movement for sale on ebay at "Buy It Now" price of £235 ENDED
WJB
Alistair McHardy in WJB 707 at Goodwood in July 1966

The photo (left) was taken at the final race meeting before Goodwood closed its gates to motor racing for many years.

GRAHAM ROBSON, who now owns the WSM 793 XPP tells me that in addition to its entry for the 73rd Members Meeting at Goodwood the car is entered for the Healey Drivers International's Invitation race at MG Live 21st June on the Silverstone GP circuit in a class they are running for Sprite Special bodied cars. Also, the pre 63 GT race at the Silverstone Classic and the pre 63 GT support race at the Spa 6 hrs. It is possible there will also be a class for special bodied Sprites at the HDI race at Castle Combe in October. The car's motor has now been rebuilt as 1293cc and the car can now be identified from other red WSMs by its having a Cambridge blue stripe. Graham has sent me another link to the 73rd Members Meeting including in-car footage from the test day.


793XPP
I've not see one of these before - a Williams & Pritchard hardtop/bonnet brochure on ebay - exp 5 Mar, SOLD £107!
W & P brochure
Alex GT
Add another couple of 0s and you probably still couldn't buy it today !!
[Maarten Krikken]
WJB

2 MORE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO WJB 707
have come my way from Tom Coulthard. On left is a request for information published in Classic & Sportscar back in 1993 and right another racing photo of the car.

WJB
Cowling
Conrods

A set of NOS (New Old Stock) BMC 948cc/1098cc Con rods.
New unused in original boxes with grease paper. Very rare these days, perfect for Lightening/Polishing or fit as they are. ARP bolts could follow if needed ? £250 for the set !
Contact: Nikolaj Mortensen

Brett Pruitt,
in addition to needing a Frogeye dashboard, is also trying to find a RHD horn/steering wheel cowling (above) for his ex-Sprinzel car.

GOODWOOD 73rd MEMBERS MEETING 21-22 MARCH
Mike Wylie has sent me a copy of the Entry List which includes a number of Sprites in the Les Leston Cup. David Wylie (Speedwell GT); Rae Davis (WSM); Graham Robson (WSM); and Ian Burford (Lumbertubs). Should be a great race.

A REALLY LOVELY SEBRING COUPE RELUCTANTLY FOR SALE
USU
USU
USU
USU Spec

Mike Prangnell has reluctantly decided to part with his much-loved Sebring as he and his wife now need something a little more comfortable for their weekend transport. Built on a California shell back in 2000 and converted to a Sebring in 2008. It has a whole list of new parts (see spec sheet) and has been valued at £26,500. It has done just 6,000 miles since 2000.
Mike is looking for offers, and can be contacted by phone: 01243 783353 or by email [WITHDRAWN FROM SALE 1st May 2015]

WANTED - FROGEYE DASH
Brett Pruitt is restoring the Sprite he bought recently from John Sprinzel and is in need of a RHD dashboard.
If you can help, please email him.
Targa Sprites
BOB KEMP, AHC Registrar has sent me a whole bundle of interesting documents among which were Jim Dougherty's article on Targa Florio Sprites (left) and another by Ian Polley on the Le Mans cars.
AHSLM
John Poulter suggests that my PG inlet manifold could be from PADDY GASTON. Seems likely which is rather exciting.
NOW SOLD
PG
SHORROCK SUPERCHARGER KIT ON EBAY SOLD AT £1550
1st March
[Mike Wood]
Shorrock
TM Trophy
Kirkistown
TM Frog
TM Frog
TREVOR LAID UP AFTER ACCIDENT:
"Martin, Unfortunately I had a fairly bad accident in Soll, Austria at the beginning of January & will be in a wheelchair for the next six months. I've sent you a picture of XXC818 at the last sprint of the season at Kirkistown race circuit on November 14. Being out of action I will not be tinkering with the car over the winter period. However I do intend to get back in to the Sebring (one way or the other) to compete in the TSCC Cultra Hill Climb on the 13 June 2015. Have a look at the TSCC web site, it may be of interest. I have also sent some images of my latest purchase, a 1958 sprite. The little car was built in September 58, dispatched to the dealer, Jones Bros (Bangor)Ltd, Main St, Bangor, Wales in October 58, and sold to an Ian Haig Keppie at RAF Angelesy in  April 59. Its an original matching numbers car which was restored in 1993 & has only covered 1362 miles since. It's in very sound condition but the paintwork has faded badly. I did strip the interior from the car, but it's now in storage until later in the year. Hope everything is well with you. Keep up the good work with the web site. Trevor McIlroy."
Paul Bos
SPRING IN CALIFORNIA
"Just thought I would send all of you suffering in winter some hopeful pictures, that spring arrives soon. I was able to take the car out for a drive today after the fog burned off. I still have some things I have to finish, but it was fun taking her out on the road. Hoping Spring comes to your part of the world soon. Regards Paul Boss"
Paul Bos
WJB 707
Auction guide price is
£80 - £100,000
[John Poulter kindly sent in the letter (right) from Ian Walker, Sept 1990.]
wjb article
Brochure

Original Sebring Brochure on ebay - expired 1st March
SOLD at £69
Midget hardtop
ITEMS FOR SALE
Angelo van der Rijt is having a clearout and wants to find new homes for this rare Midget Mk1 hardtop (SOLD) and his unfinished Lenham GT, 95% complete with lots of new parts, for which he is looking for 5,500 Euros. More photos on "For Sale" page.
Lenham GT
I bet there aren't many people who can say they have a Sebring Sprite tucked away under their bench!
Bench
PG Manifold
It turns out this is probably one of Paddy Gaston's.
NOW SOLD
PG Manifold
WJB 707
WJB 707 - the Ian Walker Sebring is to be included in the H & H auction at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on April 15th. More details to follow.
Portuguese
For Sale through Car & Classic is this one-off "Sebring" from Portugal. Offered many times now at £48,000 !!
ENX 415C
ENX 415C - photos from Joe Armour. The car in the UK probably soon after its restoration some years ago.
ENX 415C
ENX 415C
ARSON ATTACK ON ARCHERS GARAGE
Andrew Forster tells me that there was a break-in at his workshop earlier this week and a fire was started. Fortunately it was extinguished before too much damage resulted but some vehicles were affected and there is considerable smoke damage. Andrew hopes to have the business running normally again very shortly.
CAR S.O.S on SKY TV
I understand the Sprite Restoration programme is expected to be shown during March. Perhaps someone can record it on to disc so that those of us without SKY can see it - or better still upload it on to YouTube.
GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING & RARE ALLOY SPEEDWELL BONNET
Mike Wylie also tells me: "David is doing his best to get the alloy bonnet fitted to the Speedwell, which should have been done years ago, but as I was previously using the car for rallying this had not been an imperative, especially as we have been occupied with having fun with too many cars. I think you are aware that he has been invited to race in the Les Leston Cup at the Goodwood Members Meeting 21-22 March.   According to the invitation this race is for “British production sports cars that raced between 1960 and 1966” and will include TVRs, Morgans, MGBs, Turners, and Triumphs.    The invitation contains warnings on quality of driving, and has considerable stress on the involvement of eligibility experts. Cheers, Mike."
1961 RAC Rally
Mike Wylie kindly sent in these pages :
" I wonder if these two pages, the entry list for the RAC Rally in November 1961, are of any interest to you.   You will note the considerable number of Sprites competing, driven by many familiar names, plus a smaller number of Midgets.   Adrian (Boyd) and Maurice are included, of course, but there are so many other friends in the list, in a variety of other cars, who were well known to me; all part of the motoring world that I had the privilege to grow up within".
1961 RAC Rally
2080 PO
Dan Paul pointed me to a YouTube clip in which Pierre Lequex ' car 2080 PO is taking part in an autotest at Bognor Regis back in the 60's. Pierre says it was being driven by its then owned, a Miss Taylor.
SEBRING SPRITE TO APPEAR ON SKY TV
I gather that CAR S.O.S is soon to feature the restoration of an original Sebring Sprite. Perhaps someone with SKY will keep the rest of us informed as to when it is likely to come on air. I believe it may later also be on More 4.
W & P
Very rare WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD hardtop for sale on ebay, currently at £449.99
expired 5 March - NO BIDS
and a nice ASHLEY one, also on ebay, Sold at £360, expired 13 Feb [BUT CHECK WHICH MODEL IT IS FOR!]
Ashley
KEITH LUCK made a lovely job of my Shorrock C75b Supercharger and has now restored this Judson, below.
KL
KL

Rod Robinson's Judson supercharger kit, left before restoration, and right after Keith Luck had rebuilt it.

KL
I Cappon

I CapponIVO CAPPON ON RILEY/WOLSELEY BRAKES "Here is an update on my project car. I have found 2 sets of back plates for my car: one Riley/Girling and one Wolseley?Lockheed. Like you state on your blog, to uprate the rear brakes on the Sebring, BMC competition department (actually it was DHMC) used the 8 inch Riley 1.5. backplates. They gave superior performance over the standard item. Nowadays these backplates are getting harder to find, and people are getting confused with the 'AP Lockheed' ones, of the 'Wolseley 1500' . I know how it felt, since I have made the same mistake. I want to build (my car), as close as possible a reproduction (of the original) so all the details count! So here is an overview which you should look at, when in search of Girling backplates".

Alan Mead
A FASTBACK DOWN UNDER
Alan Mead hales from Kyneton, Victoria a little way north of Melbourne where he runs an auto and mower repair business. He has an Archers Fastback kit he is going to put on this Sprite Mk2 (left) and plans to paint it blue as S 221 was (right).
Mark Drelicharz
WILL Mk1 HARDTOP FIT A MARK 2?
Mark Drelicharz in the USA purchased this BMC factory hardtop a couple of years ago. It had been used as a duckpond in Wisconsin!! He plans to fit it to his Mk2 but thinks it will need modification over the rear apron. Is this necessary - I would have thought it should fit.

 

News ~ January 2015

Tom
Tom
Left: 1959 Monte Carlo Rally with interior shot of PMO, and right: one of the 1959 Sebring team cars.
Tom

BEWARE THOSE SUPPOSEDLY DHMC SIDE-SCREENS (4 rows down, left)
TOM COULTHARD tells us: "We should just say for the benefit of the many thousands (!!!) of your loyal followers on the website that the tall sidescreens purportedly for the early Sprite hardtop currently on US eBay are DEFINITELY NOT the ones fitted to the BMC Competitions Dept-prepared works (and works-assisted) Sprites on the 1959 Monte-Carlo Rally and subsequently to the Donald Healey Motor Company-prepared entries for the 12 Hours of Sebring. There are so many times when history does not provide the firm evidence one way or another and we have to issue health warnings and caveats, so I am happy for once to be TOTALLY UNEQUIVOCAL. The attached photos readily confirm that these Sprites had Weathershields-style alloy & rubber sidescreens which had a rounded leading edge at the top, unlike the later production (hood-height) sidescreens and the ones on eBay. Whatever those sidescreens are, the windows are said to be glass which would never have been used for competition in period – Perspex was invariably preferred for both weight and safety reasons. Anyone thinking of sniping a late high bid should beware. They may have been intended for another car (the MGA is often mooted in this context, but I have never had the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison), or they may have been made locally for the numerous US suppliers of improved sidescreens for British sports cars whose adverts adorn the period American magazines".

BMC top
ANOTHER BMC HARDTOP
The white hardtop having found a home in Sweden, here is another starting at 99p. SOLD for £280 [Sven Eckhardt]
Lightweight Radiator Supports from Belfast are currently being offered on ebay at £65 - claimed to save you 338g in weight!!!
Rad Supports
Cowling
Alloy top
PHIL ZAMLYNSKI in the USA
has been forging links with fellow Sebring replica builders on his side of the "pond". It turns out both he and Jerry Etzel are working towards building alloy coupe tops. Naturally they have been studying Darren Welsh's photos of the one he built for Sven Eckhardt in Germany, which adorn his Creative Classics website.
Keith Newitt is urgently seeking a cowling (above) to go between the steering wheel and dashboard on his Frogeye. NOW SORTED, THANK YOU
butch gilbert-14
A NEW HOME FOR THE STILES/SUTHERLAND SEBRING SPRITE
It takes a message from Joe Armour in Australia for me to discover that the Sebring team car formerly owned by Butch Gilbert in the USA has now been acquired by Warren Kennedy of Milton Keynes in the UK for his personal collection.
DHMC side-screens
Randy Zimmerman let me know of these side-screens for a DHMC 'works' hardtop on ebay in Florida, USA NOW SOLD at $659 (30th Jan)
[but see Tom Coulthard's comments above!]
Mike Tearle rightly points out that the Speedwell hardtops shown on this page were designed and produced by Williams & Pritchard. Mike has one of these on his project Frogeye (right)
Mike Tearle Frog
Jensen 6
Jens
Jensen
Jensen
Some more of those Jensen drawings kindly sent to me by Peter Seaman - are the right-hand pair early ideas for the Sprite?
BMC hardtop
BMC hardtop for sale on ebay at £150 SOLD
[Pierre Lequeux]
Restoration Show
The Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC on 28 & 29 March looks like it might be worth going to. Advance tickets £12 (£11 for oldies like me)
ASHLEY LAMINATES
Graham Nicklas tells me: "I worked for Ashley. It was my first job when I left school in 1965. Mr Waddington took me on as a trainee at £3.50 a week. My first job was laminating boot lids and parcel shelves. The foreman was a guy called Eddy Daniels. I left at the age of 20. The last things I worked on with Eddy were the moulds for the Spitfire and E-type hardtops. Their workshop was in Twyford Road, Bishops Stortford. Mr Waddington died in Spain as far as I can recall".
Backplate
Backplate
ALAN CAMERON:
"See images of Riley and Wolseley rear brakes (left).
Pete's have one or two extra holes I don't recognise"
.
LUBBERT MUSSCHE:
"Yes, this backplate (below) is from a Riley 1.5. I also have these for my Sebring Sprite (alloy) that I am building".
Riley 1.5 backplate
Riley (left) & Wolseley plates
MORE SPEEDWELL COMPONENTS
Speedwell
Speedwell
Speedwell
Speedwell
Hardtop for Sprite Mk 2
Hardtop for Sprite Mk 1
Monza bonnet
W & P Sebring (1) bonnet

SPEEDWELL ALUMINIUM CYLINDER HEADS
Kees van Beijmerwerdt has mentioned to me that there is some very useful information on Speedwell alloy heads on http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/which_head.htm
Worth reading before you buy.

Backplate
Pete Taylor is looking for confirmation that what he has is backplates from a Riley 1.5 Can anyone confirm please? Feedback [Thanks to John Poulter who has confirmed it is from a Riley 1.5]
AN 11th STEAMLINER?
Bill Emerson told me of an 11th 'works' prototype in Pennsylvania. I've since discovered he was referring to 776 KNX which is an earlier car, which took part in the '64 Sebring race. Wow - that could have been embarrassing!!
JUDSON SUPERCHARGER kit for Sprite/Midget for sale on ebay expiring 8 Feb currently at Buy-it-now price of £2,100
[Pierre Lequeux]
Judson
Speedwell Head

[Christoph Klamert]
SPEEDWELL ALLOY HEAD
Currently being offered on ebay (SOLD at US $ 630)
expires 17 Jan 2015
It's a GT version, for 948 or 1098cc engines
(Carriage to UK expensive!)

Regarding the Wolseley brakes mentioned below, Thomas Willig points out that: "Sprites need 5/8" wheel cylinders and no Lockheed ones of that size are available so that you have to either fit a proportioning valve or have the original cylinders re-sleeved from 3/4" down to 5/8". The re-sleeving is quite complicated, as a new piston has to be made as well".

Cylinder Head
Speedwell cast iron cylinder heads
See Speedwell Parts page
A SET OF WOLSELEY 8" REAR BRAKES
currently on ebay at £220 - SOLD £310
These are Lockheed items rather than the more usual Girling ones used on the Sebring Sprite which come from a Riley 1.5. However both types are now very hard to find.
NM

Nikolaj Mortensen's racing Midget (see For Sale page)) has now been reduced to £10,500

SEBRING & OTHER DEFINITIONS
See remarks by Mark Holland and Alan Anstead on the "Your Comments" page
Wolseley brakes
ATE bracket
BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS
Sven Eckhardt (again) tells me he can now offer brackets to convert the Frogeye stub axle to take a disc brake caliper, either using the original Girling Type 10 or the more recent Vauxhall/ATE alternative, and with the further option of using either the Sebring hub or the standard BMC splined hub. He has had a CNC program written for this purpose. Price will be

€330 for a pair of brackets in elastic stainless steel alloy. ATE calipers are more readily available in his home country, Germany than in the UK. Contact Sven if you need further help or wish to order.

SHOULD WE BE MORE RELAXED ABOUT DEFINITIONS ?
Sven Eckhardt tells me that he is acquiring the ex-Stan Annis car 4444 DA from Paul Webb which I would call a "standard-bodied Sebring Sprite". Sven queries this because the car has the Lockheed 'Thin Disc' brake set-up rather than the Girling one and steel wheels rather than wires. Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird stated that 142 FBH with its Thin Disc brakes does not fall into the "Sebring Category" while Tom Coulthard's definition of a Sebring Sprite suggests otherwise as merely a "Frogeye with discs" in Spritely Years. I wonder whether we really need to be this precise. 'In period', cars were often described as "Sprinzel Sprites", or "Speedwell Sprites" or "Alexander Sprites", etc while sometimes only have one or two non-standard tuning parts supplied by those firms. In the USA Terry Cowan has two cars 96 RPE and UUV 398, both Peel-bodied Sebrings in my book, but these were always known over there as a Sprinzel and a Speedwell respectively so why shouldn't he refer to them by those names? Jack Wheeler has asked me why we call all these cars Sebring Sprites when they were never given that name in his racing days of the 60's. So what do you think? Should we be a bit more easy in how we name the cars - they are all "Special Sprites" after all !? Your comments would be appreciated, via Feedback.

BA
HARDTOP REQUIRED FOR MK1 MIDGET
Bengt Albertson races his Midget in Sweden and is urgently looking for a hardtop (not fastback style) and side-screens. If anyone can help please contact me via Feedback
Bengt has now acquired a suitable hardtop and side-screens thank you.
DAVID DICKINSON says:
" Although I have sold  my lovely 523CLF I am still an avid follower of the site. Keep up the good work and best Wishes to you and all Sprite drivers for 2015"

9253 WD at the Bahamas Speed Week 1962

Nassau
Nassau
Nassau
Nassau

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird has recently learned from Bill Emerson in the US that his Mark 2 Sebring Sprite 9253 WD had competed at the Bahamas Speed Week, Nassau, during December 1962. Further trawling of the internet and a chat with Nassau expert/author Terry O’Neil has revealed the following: "Austin Healey Sebring Sprite - 9253 WD - race #42 was entered in five races at Nassau by Donald Healey (a good friend of Sir Sydney Oakes, who helped to organise the event) and was driven by John Colgate, from Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York State".
Results for the Sebring Sprite were as follows:

Dec 2nd 1962 - Nassau Tourist Trophy 
(under 2-litre heat)
4th overall, 2nd in class (6/8GT class).
Dec 2nd 1962 - Nassau Tourist Trophy
10th overall, 2nd in class (6/8GT class).
Dec 7th 1962 - Governor's Trophy
(under 2-litre heat) 
9th overall, 2nd in class (6/8GT class).
Dec 7th 1962 - Governor's Trophy
13th overall, 2nd in class (6/8GT).
Dec 9th 1962 Nassau Trophy DNF, completed 20 laps (about the time a heavy rain storm hit the circuit).
Jonathan has attached a few newly discovered images from the event, plus a link to a film made of the 1962 event.  9253 WD makes a very brief appearance at 09:09 min’s.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dpL3SRAWU0&app=desktop
If anyone else can provide further information relating to 9253 WD competing at this event, he'd love to hear from them. Contact me initially via Feedback and your message will be forwarded.

Jonathan also referred me to another film clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrJP9U8xTY in which the two 'works' streamliners HNX 455D & 456D, can be seen, very early in the film (1.25), at Sebring in 1966. Later, at about 11.55. is an excellent shot of 770 KNX (No.61) leading its sister car 776 KNX (No.67) at Sebring in 1964. Brilliant stuff! Thanks, Jonathan.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOLLOWERS OF THE WEBSITE
& WISHING YOU ALL MANY HAPPY SPRITE MILES DURING 2015

 

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