News 2016
News ~ December 2016 |
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WISHING ALL SEBRING ENTHUSIASTS AND REGULAR VISITORS TO MY WEBSITE A VERY HAPPY 2017 |
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EX-FORMULA JUNIOR ENGINE FOR SALE
Spotted in the current issue of "Rev Counter" -correct 1071 block, crankshaft and Cooper 'S' rods. Good condition. Loosely assembled for rebuild. Rare opportunity. Tel: Les on 078 6035 7413 for more details. Around £2,000. |
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Front discs and splined hubs 1000 miles only £100 |
Pair Midget brake callipers 1000 miles only £50 |
Sprite rear bumpers and fixing irons excellent condition £40 |
Pair spotlights rear fixing as new £75 |
FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT ROGER FRIEND VIA EMAIL ALL SOLD IN 12 HOURS! |
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FROM BRETT PRUITT IN HAWAII: |
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A NEW ARTICLE ON TREVOR McILROY'S SEBRING was published in the Jan-Mar issue of Retro Classics. Now included in our archive of interesting articles these are 5 pages to savour over the Christmas period. Read it here. |
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TZA AT CHATEAU IMPNEY ~ A MESSAGE FROM ALEC POOLE'S FORMER NAVIGATOR JOHN BILTON TO JAMES THACKER: |
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ANOTHER SHOT OF 7140 RO sent in by Alistair Ross and showing the Speedwell with Jack Mathe of Waypass Garage at the wheel. |
NEW OWNER REVEALED! I'm delighted to report that Bill McDonnough of Hardy Engineering has become the new owner of 7140 RO. |
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THE FLOW OF INCOMING 'STUFF' FOR THE WEBSITE SEEMS TO HAVE SLOWED TO A TRICKLE
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7140 RO CHANGES HANDS The Speedwell GT owned by the late Brian Kenyon has now been sold by his widow Pat and went to its new owner just last week. The car is believed to have one of the 6 alloy bonnets made as well as the usual alloy hardtop. It was featured on the news page in July last year (2015) and in this photo when it was purple and gold, the driver is Bill Graham. Who bought it I wonder? |
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ALAN ANSTEAD EXPLAINS: |
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WHAT BONNET IS THIS ?
Alan Anstead was asking what this bonnet was (above left)? I couldn't remember but Gary Lazarus had the answer, sending in the photo of the light blue car above. It's from Emil Frey AG of Switzerland. Ray English suggested it was an Aussie "Jewitt" which is quite similar. See lower left and right. He Says: "It looks like an Aussie "Jewitt" to me --- do you know where the photo was taken? You might remember I did a few articles on one of these bonnets, that I refitted to GWS-211. It turned out that it was the same one that was fitted to it when I bought it from Frank Cook in 1977. I have a feeling that Jim Jewitt was the first person to make a fibreglass front to suit a Sprite, ~ I am working on this theory at the moment. Jim's first Sprite bonnet (he was making complete shells for racing cars at the time) was made for Peter Manton, who fitted it to the Sprite GWS-692, in late October / Early November 1958 - this was one of the three first shipment cars to arrive [in Australia] on the 9th of September, 1958. This car, now Coventry Climax powered, was driven by Peter Manton; he was able to keep up with the Healey 100S's during the 1958 Victorian Tourist Trophy at Albert Park. I am working on an article "How to Identify Sprite Bonnets" for the next issue of Marque One ". |
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AN AMAZING MODEL OF AN ASHLEY GT
to a scale of 1/43 by Yashuji Morizumi (See Facebook) |
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MASCOT EDITOR, GARY LAZARUS, HAS FINALLY RETIRED HIS FROGEYE KNOWN AS 'GAPS'
and bought another to be called ELVIS. He also has this rare, if not unique, hardtop from Watford Sports Cars - anyone know of another? Gary's new Frog has a fibreglass bonnet which he is suspending on one of Tifosi's hinge arrangements. |
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MEG TO RACE AT GOODWOOD |
Karsten Stelk shared Fred Kalkhuis' photo of the start line-up at Le mans in '66. The Baker/Rhodes and Hopkirk/Hedges Sprites with a long line of Alpine Renaults and a lone Mini-Marcos. |
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"Great website Martin. I have enjoyed cruising around inside and looking at all the Sprites prepared for Sebring-style racing and the historical articles. I recall reading about the drive from Sebring, FL to Los Angeles CA in a Sprite and an MGA fixed-head coupe as detailed by Ocee Ritch and published in my Floyd Clymer service manual. Always loved that story and must have read it a dozen times or more. Years ago (1968 to 1979) I had Sprite AN5L/7106 that I restored starting from a bare-metal-body and finishing up looking close to this one below. It ended up with a 1098 cc engine, front disk brakes, wire wheels and a factory hardtop. It was in the days prior to digital photos, so I don’t have anything other than this close match that was on sale not too long back with a classic car dealer in the US. That one had a red interior, but mine was done over in the green that was originally matched to the dark green exterior. I was curious about this car that is partly shown in your site. I was wondering what the complete car looks like if you have that photo available to share. Interesting paintwork as, perhaps, one might find on a big Healey (below right) Alas, I barely can contort an entry to a Sprite at this juncture and have this 2000 Z3 2.3 Roadster at my summer place in Boothbay Harbor, and a Green coupe which is on route to my place in Florida shortly. Not Sprites for sure, but they have some of the fun aspects that I recall so well with the Sprite. I plan to take the coupe across a similar route to the Sebring run to CA (Rte 10 all the way from Jacksonville to LA) and then up the West Coast in a year or so when I hope to retire. Best regards, Daniel Boucher, Amman, Jordan." |
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WANTED
Femi Odutolu is looking for an Ashley hardtop for a Frogeye. If you can assist him please contact him via email. NOW FOUND ONE THANK YOU (28.12.16) |
GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING ~ 18/19 MARCH 2017
Bob Hinchliffe pointed out that the Weslake Cup will be a race for “A Series engined sports and GT cars that raced between 1958 and 1966”. Ian Burford has already entered the Lumbertubs. More to come I expect. Get your tickets now. |
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LATEST UPDATE FROM PHIL ZAMLYNSKI |
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AND NEWS OF ANOTHER SPEEDWELL GT, 2824 MV, FROM COLIN CRAMPHORN
Hi Martin, I am at an age where you tend to think about the past and 2 or 3 weeks ago I thought I would research a car I once owned. It has always had a place in my memories as it was a fantastic car to drive and I sold it to buy an engagement ring. So I typed the registration number 2824 MV and to my surprise pages of information appeared. I always knew the car as a Speedwell Sebring Sprite but I never realised what a rare car it was. At the time I was studying engineering at High Wycombe College and was part of a group with high performance cars such as a Turner Climax and several Morgans. I bought the car in the summer of 1969 and sold it late in 1971 or early 1972. It was dark blue with two silver stripes when I bought it but I sprayed it red in 1970. The engine was a highly tuned 948cc red lined at 9500 and as a road car had a startling performance. Difficult in traffic and would backfire if kept stationary for too long. I had very few problems with the car other than the very tight ground clearance and some rust in the chassis. I cannot remember who I purchased the car from or sold it to but I have found two photographs which include the car. They were taken by my wife to be so the car was not the center of her attention! I will send them to you but they are not really suitable for your site. I would be interested to know how this fits in with your current history and I will be checking to see if I have any further information. Kind regards, Colin. |
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ORIGINAL SPEEDWELL ALLOY BODY PARTS |
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BARWELL ALLOY HEAD FOR SALE Richard Hart is offering this rare item on ebay (expires next Sunday 11th Dec) Auction starts at £350 or 'Buy-it-now' for £1200. Suits 848 to 1098cc and weighs a 3rd of the original. There are also some details about the head on the Mk1 Performance (Mini) website. SOLD at £560.50 |
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NICK BARNES' SEBRING KIT (originally Paul Webb's) has been sold on to Sean Sandoe. (See No.69 on the list) |
FROM ANDREW NODWELL IN NZ " Hi Martin, Just a quick note to offer my thanks for helping those shock absorbers find a new home, which they have, in Wales...a fair way from New Zealand! All the best and compliments of the season". [Nice to hear] |
458 STJ Ben Tyer's Sebring Sprite restoration projectr has been acquired by Bugatti specialist, Ivan Dutton. |
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2284 WD IN THE 80'S John Moon sent in this photo (left) of 2284 WD which has been owned and campaigned more recently by Jonathan Peck. Apparently John restored the car in the 1980's. |
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STOLEN FROGEYE PARTS Our old friend Bob Beaumont recently had the misfortune to have his lock-up broken into and a great many parts meticulously stripped from his Frogeye. These included the seats, all the weather equipment and side-screens, all the dashboard items except the speedo(!) and the exterior brightwork i.e. lamps, etc. So, if you are offered any rare parts like an original fuel gauge FG2530/31 or a Southern Counties Sprite Club badge please contact Bob by email. |
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"AIDS FOR SPRITELY TRAVELS" |
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Attached find some pics about the tailgate as requested. The idea was initiated by seeing the New Zealand car of .... on your website.
I only had thought, the frame he used for the stiffening of the thin 4mm polyacryl was a bit cumbersome and and not really required if we got a bit thicker material , believing the shape of itself and giving it four proper anchoring points on its circumference should make it very stiff, which indeed it does. I had discussed this with Andrew, who agreed with me and ordered two samples of 8 mm thickness. He mentioned somebody else being interested in the second one, I do not know who. Obviously the new material was not in the perfect shape to fit into the aperture of Archers fastback body, but Dominic Mooney, who at that time took over on my request after I realized Andrews overload, put a lot of skill and sweat into shaping and fitting it, very much to my satisfaction. Two chromeplated bootlid hinges , provided for £11.50 each by Minispares provide the fixing on the roof, a Healey boot handle the lower fixing , with or without locks. The leverage from there to the two locking plates on the lower end of the window is mostly hidden inside the body and was designed and provided by Dominic, again based on materials available (period correct ! ) from other Brit cars. Sealing is by a simple rubber foam stripe, app. 3 x 20 mms, selfadhesive.
For better ventilation we have just now fitted two bulging outlets on the upper end, outside of my viewing field and quite effective, as used by racers and obtainable from Demon Tweaks or the likes.
It wonderfully eases access to the depths of the vast loading bay of the car. You have to either hold open or sort of lay it down overturned onto the roof carefully, as I do, but I can imagine self supporting gas filled levers as commonly used for boots of other cars can be fitted as well. Whoever is interested, feel free to inquire from Andrew and Dominic how they can advise. Juergen Schafer. |
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KAI ERIKSEN has now sold his Sebring panels ~ to Michael in Denmark |
YASUJI MORIZUMI shows these pictures of an Ashley topped Sprite hill-climbing in Japan - on Facebook |
News ~ November 2016 |
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ANOTHER AUSSIE LENHAM GTO
'I purchased the Lenham GTO that Colin Dodds co-owned in the article "AN AUSSIE GTO with round wheel arches". So says David Laing who has since written an article for 'Sprite Torque', magazine of of the Sprite Car Club of Australia of which he is Promotions Officer. Since buying the car earlier this year he has fitted a set of 14" x 41/2" crome wire wheels. He has also ' been doing some "maintenance" work to bring it up to my standards viz. fitted new rear wheel brake cylinders, shoes, handbrake boots and rear axle seals etc. new front rotors, disc pads and tie rod ends. The steering has quite a bit of free-play so adjustments will be made and hopefully I don't have to strip it down and rebuild it. I'm intending to fit a roll bar too, that will incorporate seat belt anchor plates. I have also had the extractors "cerakoted" and a new exhaust fitted that ends with a twin pipe outlet in stainless steel. I have also fitted chrome ring surrounds around the "Ferrari" type Hella tail/stop/indicator lights, as well as a GTO badge fitted lower right rear panel'. |
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JUERGEN'S ADVENTURE - INCLUDING RUNNING HIS SEBRING ON DIESEL FUEL & BEING TOWED AT SPEED BY AN ALFA!!
Hi Martin,
We have returned safely this afternoon from our little adventure and would like to thank you and your team of local advisors wholeheartedly for rescuing us. As you want to mention the heroics of that little episode on your website news, I'd rather give you the full facts, in order not to apportion blame and praise to the wrong people !
It all started about a month ago when I had decided, a cure for our Spridgets maladies was now necessary in the motherland, as my own fumblings were not successful. My German local friends' limited knowledge of the cars specifics and his expertise on Porsches and Mercs were not leading us to results in reasonable times and economics. Having spoken to Dominic (- Mooney of Midlands Classic Restorations) at the Spa 6 hrs, the plan was, for me to trailer the car over and him rectifying the open issues in about four weeks time. So we could collect it after the Birmingham show and then drive it back home to our home in Erlangen, northern Bavaria, a journey of about 1200 kms one way.
Main issues had been: |
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THE SEBRING SPRITE MEMORIAL SHIELD goes this year to Emryn and Pauline Jones with their beautiful Aston green Sebring Coupe which was displayed on the Austin-Healey Club stand at the NEC for the Classic Motor Show and was very much admired by many. I know that the late Ian Ashfield, who donated the shield would be delighted that the shield continues to be awarded, and to such worthy Sebring owners. |
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DNX REPAINTED Alan Anstead reports "A picture of my respray fresh Sebring with its black joint trim. It now needs those new sidescreens. |
FOR SALE - EARLY 1098CC CRANK & RODS - std size does not need grinding just a polish £50. And set of 1098 con rods excellent £50. Roger Friend email |
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AND ANOTHER LENHAM GTO HERE IN THE UK - FOR SALE Following on from the news of Damon Don's Lenham GTO below, I heard (via Alan Anstead) of another GTO owned by James Pitt. Another coincidence is that this one has also been converted to wind-up windows. James bought the car in the spring of this year, intending to restore it with the help of his 16 year old son. However, he now realises that this is not now going to happen and due to lack of time and his limited facilities at home he now wishes to sell it on. According to the DVLA the car is a 948cc Austin Healey first registered on the 17th July 1961. He has the V5 and all the numbers match up. "What makes this car unusual is that it is fitted with a Lenham GTO Kamm Tail, which was produced in very small numbers back in the 1960's (only 12 ever made I believe?)". James has had the engine running and this together with the smooth case gearbox appear to be original to the car. A previous owner has also welded in new floors, which he says look good. He goes on to say: "The not so good news is that I am fairly sure that the car has been re-tubbed into a later Austin Healey body. If you look at the attached pictures (copies awaited) you will notice that the car has wind-up windows, which were not offered on the Mk1. It also has later suspension. Further investigation shows that the rear spring hangers are in a poor state of repair and need replacing". If restoring this project car appeals to you please contact James via email. |
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LENHAM GTO DOWN UNDER |
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REMEMBER THAT LENHAM GTO ADVERTISED FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO? |
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ARCHERS SEBRING COUPE KIT FOR SALE |
FROM PETER JACKSON |
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FROM BRYAN ALLART - NEW INFORMATION ABOUT 2824 MV |
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MOTORSPORT ASSOC NEWS |
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PROGRESS ON SEBRING SIDE-SCREENS I am pleased to report that our engineer is making good progress on the 13 sets of side-screens he has in the pipeline. He is waiting for some more of the laser-cut polycarbonate and more of the window handles which Andrew has ordered. Hopefully it should not be long now before a few sets of side-screens are delivered. Andrew also told me that he is currently laying-up a Sebring bonnet for Marcus Fellowes' alloy fastback so maybe we have the beginnings of an Archers resurgence ? |
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PIERRE ON 2080 PO: " |
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... some photos of it which I attach. One is at a trial in Ovingdean , another an autotest on the Brighton sea-side and the last one some kind of autotest in a farmyard at Staplefield… Not very good quality but the car is recognisable and I thought they were fun…the story of 2080 PO is till resurfacing… Pierre" |
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FEMI'S BRAKES:
"I seem to have completed my front brake modification. I have been at it for some time. If anyone is interested I have attached the pictures. I used the standard Midget brake disc with a Wilwood Powerlite caliper and made some brackets out of 8mm laser-cut mild steel. I had to take the 'Ears' off the dust cover but I will fold new ones to replace it. Hope it is of use to the members of page". |
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STEPHEN BOWEN ON 6666 NK: "6666NK was my first Sprite which I got in April 1964 and ran untill October 1966 when someone drove into it with an A35. I sold the body and the number plate keeping the engine and gearbox and with the insurance money bought WJB707 in November 1966 - exactly 50 years ago". [After Ian Hall the car was raced by Bob Beaumont, and then Nigel Bance] |
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NEW/OLD PHOTOS FOUND AT THE SHOW BY GRAHAM BISH |
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I note that on the door it reads 'Ian Hall'. Ian raced that car for several seasons both in the UK and in Europe. Who raced GOO1? |
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381 SYB ~ SEBRING SUPERCHARGED AT THE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW |
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Emryn & Pauline Jones' supercharged Sebring looked fabulous on the AHC stand at the NEC [photos Graham Bish & John Egan] |
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ALUMINIUM MIDGET PROJECT |
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FROGEYE WITH DHMC HARDTOP ON EBAY
Currently being offered on ebay at Buy-Now price of £2700 this Frogeye appears to have a DHMC/Jensen hardtop. Probably not worth paying that just for the hardtop but might be a worthwhile project. Expires 20th Nov [Seems to have ended early, - on 11th] |
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ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS Andrew Nodwell in New Zealand has "a pair of Armstrong "22" lever arm adjustable shocks, with a big rotating knob on each one and in good used condition...I only removed them from my Morris Minor convertible a couple of days ago as I am putting it back to 'as factory'." If anyone is interested in these please contact Andrew via email. |
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LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW OPENS TODAY (FRIDAY 11th NOV) I will not be going this year and would therefore be grateful if someone who does would note any Sebring Sprites on display and recommend to whom the Ian Ashfield/Brian Archer shield might be presented this year. Photos would be helpful. Thank you. |
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UNIQUE ALUMINIUM BODIED MIDGET ON ROLLING CHASSIS. |
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Offers over £10,000. |
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NOW SOLD |
Bryn Rossiter has a smooth-case gearbox which "might be of interest to early Sprite/Midget fans for a resto or to go on the spares shelf.
It came from a 948 Midget so would provide closer ratios for a Frogeye. I had it totally re-manufactured by a transmission specialist at the end of the summer and it has been stored, unused, since. I am looking for £565 ono outright sale which represents a saving of more than £300 over the going rate. The remote is a Goldseal BMC and could be thrown in, if the offer is a good one! Collection/arrange courier from Wilts or, possibly, Lincs. It is on Ebay but, if you think it merits a mention as a service to your followers, please, do so. A pic is attached -- with more on request... Bryn's email
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MIKE CURTIS couldn't resist dashing round to the paint shop to see his newly painted Sebring 1367 VU in Aston Martin Silver Birch, after 8 years hard graft. Now the fun begins. |
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TIFOSI PRICE LIST Jason Elliott of Halls Garage has supplied me with a list of prices for their Sebring Replica. I will be asking him exactly what is included in each item for clarification. |
TIFOSI SS at |
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ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRADING A FASTBACK REPLICA KIT FOR AN ORIGINAL W & P HARDTOP? Bill Prout in the States is interested in selling his W & P Sebring hardtop which stands him in at over US$ 5000. He has been in hospital recently and is experiencing difficulty getting in and out of the car with the hardtop on. He thinks an option might be to fit an Archers Fastback body which would increase the door/window opening. The W & P top is in excellent condition. Bill's car ran recently at the Lime Rock Park Fall Festival, "to much success driven by my friend and great driver (OK so he is a Brit) to four race finishes and second in FIA 1300cc cars to 1964, to a lovely Alfa Romeo Zagato". Contact Bill by email |
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MORE PHOTOS OF THE WG-BRITISH RACING FASTBACK This time from Flavien, who has sent in some taken by his friend, JM Cattenot, at the show. Anyone know who owns this car? Is it an Archers Replica - I presume so. Feedback please. |
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CAR COVERS FROM MIKE CURTIS
"As my car will soon be back from paint, I am looking at a car cover for it. Ages ago I made a mock up, which is heavily tailored to suit the standard curves of a Sebring front with a Frogeye rear end and coupe top. I have arranged to meet a pal who is in the design team of a manufacturer, local to me. I was wondering if there might be an appetite amongst fellow Sebring owners for a larger order? I could no doubt adapt this to fit fastbacks, but I’ll have to ‘borrow’ / visit someone with one of these cars, so I can tailor it to fit! Not sure of final cost but possibly c £350? These could be coloured/embroidered to suit an individual car. I believe lead in times are likely to be 4 – 6 weeks from order. I wondered if you might like to circulate a note enquiring if anyone else is interested? I could send you a photo of the one I get done in due course, in which case it might be better to wait – realistically it’ll be in the new year, allowing for manufacture". |
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577 DNX TO HAVE A WINTER REFRESH Owner ALAN ANSTEAD tells me: "The Sebring is at the bodyshop for several weeks. The bonnet slammed down when a gust of wind caught it and a large star crack appeared. Also I have never been happy with the hardtop/body joint. Archers filled over the joint and it continually cracks due to body flex. Possibly would not occur if I had a roll cage. The top is coming off and the joint will have an exposed black seal. Then a full respray to freshen it. All I then need is the correct sidescreens!!! A Canadian journalist wants to do an article on my car for M.G.Enthusiast when next he comes to U.K. He saw the car at Angouleme this year and contacted me to ask who owned it. Hopefully it will look good for next year's Alpine Miglia - a joint effort between me and Spridget.CH. You can read of this years run at www.masckent.org ". |
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LAURENT DERANCOURT spotted the WG-BRITISH RACING Sebring Fastback Replica at the exhebition EpoqAuto in Lyon (France), yesterday. |
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FROM WILL GARRETT:
"I purchased DTA 949C on the 20th of June 2016 as my first car! Being heavily involved with classic cars from a young age I started up a YouTube and Instagram page called ‘Theclassiccarlife' and the little Sprite fits right in! A collection video and first drive is already live online! I have huge plans for the car and my end goal is to turn it into a full race/hillclimb car that’s FIA approved but still road legal. For the meantime however the Speedwell will be my daily driver and all my adventures and the crazy experience of running a classic car not only every day but as my first car will be documented on my YouTube channel! Since purchasing the car I’ve had no major problems and have been enjoying it thoroughly. However shortly after purchasing the car a rather large fuel leak meant I had to remove the fuel tank and reseal the opening where the float penetrates the tank. This however was all in a days work and since then the car has run sweet and appeared at various shows including the Warren Concours d’Elegance! I hope you find the time to follow my adventures in the car on YouTube, I’m still considering the idea of mounting two spotlight on the Speedwell!" |
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GOODWOOD 26th September 1959 - 5 Lap Scratch Race 10 little Frogeyes with drivers including Paddy Gaston, John Venner-Pack (VP 7) and Lord Strathcarron sat on the grid. Only 1 of the 5 Lotus Sevens managed to get up in the top 5 finishers. Result: 1. John Venner-Pack; 2. Ken Mackenzie; 3. Paddy Gaston; 4. John Derisley (Lotus 7) and 5. D.Watts. Photo: Peter Higgins. |
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FROM DAVID MORYS: |
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DAVE WOOD OF ORSON EQUIPMENT ON SEBRING REAR HUBS |
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KAI ERIKSEN HAS SEBRING PANELS FOR SALE
"As you may remember I had my car rear end and roof rebuilt in aluminum.
These fibreglass panels may be of interest to our Sebring Sprite friends.
I will sell them for a reasonable price as the freight cost from Norway could be expensive". |
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REAR SPLINED HUBS
Stephen bowen points out: Similar rear hubs to those of a Sebring are available ex stock from Moss Europe, part no RCK103R or L but at a cost of £42.50 retail ex, a small price difference from the £360 of those on ebay! Steve's trade price is 31.88 ex." The Moss hubs lack the lip on the inside for location on the Girling brake drum often not used and the inside is flat". [I'm not sure whether this hub has the correct fine thread for the spinner? MEI] |
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FEMI ODUTOLU's FASTBACK REP IS PAINTED and rather a nice shade of red too. |
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ON A TARMAC RALLY IN JAPAN this Ashley/WandP bodied Sprite still bears its UK registration 68 FAK [Yasuji Morizumi - Facebook] |
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STIRLING MOSS at speed in the 3 Hour race at Sebring 1962 driving 9254 WD [JWB - Facebook] |
Sebring 1962 and Steve McQueen hot on the heels of a Porsche 356 during the 12 Hour race, in the Healey 'works' alloy coupe 1411 WD. |
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MIKE CURTIS'S LONG AWAITED SEBRING REP is in the spray booth and he should have her back at home for assembly during November!!
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Colin McCabe's 1380cc Frogeye receives an Ashley Fastback hardtop. Nice J A Pearce wheels [Facebook] |
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JASON ELLIOTT of HALLS GARAGE will be displaying their TIFOSI SS at the forthcoming Classic Car Show at the NEC |
David Harris in his Sebring Sprite H 221 during 1960. One third of "Team 221" along with the Sebring Sprites of Cyril Simson - S 221 and John Sprinzel's X 221. |
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NIK AVEYARD'S W & P SEBRING GT2 A couple of new photos shown recently on Facebook. |
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KARSTEN STELK recently published these documents from Downton Engineering back in the 60s from which he says: "if you are thinking what to do with your Sprite. Here is the way to go!!!" |
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STEVE NASH & KERMIT, HIS SEBRING REBUILD: "Having lost enthusiasm for my 'Sebring' build in recent months, I have regained momentum! Been chopping up the CCK bonnet in an attempt to get it to fit roughly right". See his photos on https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1382565592057948&type=3 |
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Nice picture of the CCK Lenham Le Mans at a recent race meeting in the hands of Rainford Jnr. |
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Wm Severin Thompson recently purchased this "replica/tribute of the McQueen’s ’62 Sebring Sprite". He has a number of Sprites including this project with Ashley top and Kellison bonnet (right).
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DAVID SCOTHORN HAS SEVERAL BOOKS HE IS INTERESTED IN SELLING
The first is a copy of the 2nd edition of John Sprinzel's "Modified Motoring" in good condition with good dust jacket, signed by the author in 2013. £45. |
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A PAIR OF ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCKERS are being offered on ebay for the 2nd time. Asking £450 EXPIRES TODAY (2 Nov) UNSOLD |
PHIL GARDNER finally gave up waiting for his side-screens and made his own. That will help distribute the 13 being made at present. |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS: Mike Wood; Phil Gardner; David Scothorn; Wm Severin Thompson; CCK Historic; Healeysport; Steve Nash; Karsten Stelk; Nik Aveyard; Jason Elliott; Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; Mike Curtis; Colin McCabe; Yasuji Morizumi; Stephen Bowen; Femi Odutolu; Kai Eriksen; Dave Wood; David Morys; Peter Higgins; Will Garrett; David Scothorn; Dave Marriott; Sean Sandoe; Laurent Derancourt; Alan Anstead; Flavien ...; Bill Prout; Jason Elliott; Bryn Rossiter; Mike Curtis; Douglas Anderson; Andrew Nodwell. |
News ~ October 2016 |
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"I have had a pair of Bob Ridgard's seats in my Sebring since 1993 and my wife says they are the most comfortable seats she has sat in, in a car. Very expensive in leather now, but not too dear in vinyl. Always best to contact Bob by phone - he's not great on email. His website is at Ridgard Seats Martin Ingall" |
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SEATS - FROM BOB HINCHLIFFE |
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FROM DAVE WOOD OF ORDSON EQUIPMENT: |
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THE FROGEYE ROLL-HOOP DIALOGUE CONTINUES BELOW: |
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"Daniel, You are right in that if you cut through the front lip of the shroud it will immediately lose its profile / rigidity. When you fit a Sebring coupe top that actually helps get a snug fit. For you I'd say cut 2 oversized holes in the shroud behind the lip in about the right spot. Once you have your cage in situ, minus rear legs, mock up a straight bar with elongated u shaped section in the middle and that will enable you to locate the holes (above). Hope this is clear! Mike". |
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"Thanks Mike, I agree. I looked at Frogeye Spares design and felt the leverage on the back stays was too much. How did you go about supporting the rear shroud when you chopped it? Or do you have a bonded coupe top? Current plan is to have Caged make a custom rear hoop with perforating rear struts and diagonal that complies to msa regs (they thought they could sleeve the rear struts but were double checking the regs). I'll either later cut the shroud back and bond support ribs into it and fabricate a new lip for the flashing or keep it and put some rubber grommets around the roll bar sections that perforate the shroud. Any thoughts gladly appreciated. Biggest concerns are vibrations trashing the rear shroud if cut it back and don't have a bonded couple top (have a lightweight hardtop I'd like to keep) Best wishes Dan" |
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MIKE CURTIS ON DANIEL'S ROLL CAGE QUERY |
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SEBRING SPRITES ON DISPLAY AT THE SHOWS?
Is anyone displaying their car at the NEC Classic Car Show or the show at Alexander Palace, London? The Brian Archer Shield provided by the late Ian Ashfield will be presented to the owner whose car is considered to be the best turned out on the day. |
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"Re: roll-hoop in Daniel Paul's car. I got the attached from Gordon Elwell (I haven't fitted mine yet but it looks good) - the picture is of one of Gordon's. Doesn't perforate the rear deck at all. May do the trick. Cheers Mike Heath". |
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HELP/ADVICE REQUIRED IN FITTING ROLL CAGE TO A FROGEYE WITH FIBREGLASS REAR END Daniel Paul: "Am in the process of trying to get a roll-hoop put into my 'Sebring' which is much like 132 XUU in terms of Sebring bonnet and hardtop design. Do you have any further photos of Jim's car or contact details for him? [Unfortunately I don't] Trying to work out how best to perforate the rear shroud to avoid cutting it back if can, or if cut it back how best to reinforce it as I have a fibreglass rear for weight saving". Please contact Daniel if you can help - email. |
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SEBRING SPRITE SPLINED FRONT HUBS
Dave Wood of Orson Equipment is gearing up to produce a further batch of front hubs. There are no plans for more rears at the moment. They can also supply (the fine thread) spinners for these if anyone wants them - at £20 each (£80 per set) + VAT. |
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At BO'NESS SPEED HILL CLIMB (Scotland) 9th Revival Meeting on 3rd/4th September [Facebook] |
CONSULTATIONS ON ROADWORTHINESS TESTING OF CLASSIC CARS. Have your say. |
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AUSTIN A70 HEREFORD AIR INTAKES |
SELECTARIDE ADJUSTABLE SHOCK ABSORBER SYSTEM
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THIS (OUR) WEBSITE is currently receiving on average 90 hits per day (in excess of 30,000 a year). THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND FOR ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS |
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SNIPPETS FROM FACEBOOK: David Nutland refers to the photo (left): "Number 72, on the slow road to completion". Dave Marriott responds: "I'm kit 97 and still not as far on as you! It's looking nice so far though". and Peter Fletcher: "Looking good, I own number 85 Speedwell Sprite.
I also have number 103 one of the last (Archers) Sebring Sprites - looks similar to yours but no paint yet.
Good luck".
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FROM CCK Historic: "We’ve made another custom 6-point bolt-in roll cage for a Sebring Sprite. We’ve slotted the front dash/scuttle to allow the front legs to pass through giving better clearance for the steering wheel".
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"An extract from the August 1965 edition of 'Safety Fast' featured information on Armstrong shock absorbers - [click the image, right] There has been information written about the manually adjustable Adjustaride variety, over the last few years, and I wonder if anyone has any experience of the electrically operated Armstrong Selectaride shock absorbers fitted to Sprites? Obviously, fewer numbers of adjustments are possible but they can be done from inside the car. The (above) images show a pair, complete with wiring and switch, I have ‘unearthed’." Tim Spencer Feedback? |
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BRETT PRUITT (Hawaii): "I wanted to add to John Sprinzel's answers to Ken Grasing"s questions. I had to make the rubber mats myself, as I could not find anyone with a set that would part with them. Attached are a couple of photos that were shot for an upcoming article in Healey Marque magazine. |
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Someone was looking for a Mk1 Midget hardtop and Angelo, in Holland, has this one for sale. It has no sidewindows (a bit hard to find) or front brackets, but the rest is complete and in good condition, just needs to be painted. 250 Euros |
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HALLS GARAGE & SEBRING SIDE-SCREENS Jason Elliott of Halls Garage (Tifosi) comments: "[To make side-screens] we would need a template off an Archer's car or better still one of the Archers cars at our Open Day so then we could try on of our side screens. We can also supply side-screens in kit form as well". |
"However, for those currently on my list for side-screens, we do have an engineer working on these. He has had some difficulties with the machine which swages the aluminium to give it the correct external shape but work is going ahead and we hope to have the outstanding orders completed soon" MEI - webmaster.. |
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"IN SUPPORT OF ANDREW (Forster)"
"Just a short reaction to some of the comments about Andrew. Maybe people could remember that Andrew has had to close Archers Garage due to various problems including the non-payment of his invoices. He now has a fulltime job with a lot of responsibility and shall still have to sort out a lot of left over problems from Archers.
I, as many people, have always asked him for all type of advice at all times and always got helpful reactions. But he does not work full time for Archers anymore and I would expect now and again gets sick of the constant comments and still expected fast reactions. I should add that this is my opinion and I hope not out of place. |
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PRESCOTT HILL CLIMB - PHOTOS BY DAVID MORYS
Above left with miniscule windscreen is Joseph and Claire Giles' Frogeye. I think the others are all fairly familiar to us all. On right - Stephen Casson has commissioned some ‘Keeping Healeys Racing’ patches suitable for race overalls. They work out at £8.50 for a small patch or £22 for a large one (incl p & p) and will come in red or black. If you want one let me know as they need to order in batches of 12. Feedback |
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STEPHEN BOWEN comments: "I have noticed several people have been looking for rear springs for the early Sprites I have somewhere here at least two sets if not three. [Let me know if you are interested and I will put you in touch with Steve - Feedback] Also, you had about bulges on the bonnet and as John (Sprinzel) said this was to clear the top of the carbs. Also in the 1960s there was a wide range of inlet manifolds for the Minis available and these were higher than the Sprite to clear the front bulkhead. For me in '66 for the Sebring I needed an inlet manifold but the correct one from BMC Competitions of which we at Nerus were dealers still cost one and a half week's wages. Our Mini manifold cost 3 beers, one for the foundry Cowshed Castings we called them, but I think they were really called Rother Ironworks, one beer for the machine dept and one for the flow man so I made a big bulge in my bonnet". |
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FROM SIMON HUTCHINSON |
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888 HPA I have started assembling information about this Lenham GT now owned by Tom Coulthard. Can you add anything - see the new page. Feedback? |
Paul Slangen: "Reading all about Halls Garage. ( I contacted them before by email regarding whether their side-screens fit on our cars, but never got a message back). I wonder if they fit on our Archers Sebrings due to the Tifosi having no roof gutters. They look alike but I assume they won't fit. I asked Andrew before, but also no reply. Perhaps you can contact Halls/Tifosi and ask them, before some owners are spending a lot of money on the wrong side screens ?! |
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"Fabulous day with 9253 WD at Castle Combe's 'Autumn Classic'. On track with Nick Mason's Ferrari 250 GTO and Stirling Moss' 1960 Monaco Grand Prix winning (Rob Walker) Lotus 18, to name but a couple. John Willetts who raced 9253 WD between 1965 - 1968 was my passenger. He was last at Castle Combe 50 years ago in 1966. Photos courtesy of Neil Thomas" JWB |
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Wm Severin Thompson asks "Can anyone identify this hardtop?" Feedback |
SPRINZEL'S AIR BRAKES!!!
"In reply to Ken's questions. Yes, the vents were from the Austin. I imagine Moss or someone now supplies the mats. Yes we had the bulge to prevent the larger SU's from being damaged. Stock disc wheels as this was an event just a short time after the car's introduction so no time to mess about with other wheels or indeed other than stock brakes. Incidentally we did get brake fade on some of the longer Alpine descents. so Willy and I held open the doors as air brakes after Mercedes idea. And Yes that worked quite well. Take care... JS" |
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DEREK STEWART CONTINUES HIS CONVERSION OF HIS SEBRING REPLICA TO COVENTRY CLIMAX ENGINE WITH TOYOTA T50 GEARBOX |
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His latest news is: "
The chassis modifications are at last completed. After removing a chunk of cross member and cutting away some of the steering rack support bar, the altered support bar could be fabricated but this is a route that many have trod in the past. The engine sits lower than in the Brabham installation, probably because of the Toyota gearbox fit but this was a plus point as the Sebring bonnet profile appears to have a lower line and I wished to avoid any carb clearance issues. I also wanted sufficient clearance at the crankshaft pulley to access an easy change of the generator/waterpump belt. The altered rack support was welded onto the cross member and hopefully restored some of the original rigidity. Thanks must go to Paul Webb for his suggested pattern for the engine mount. The dummy fit goes back into the car during the next few days and its off to the exhaust fabricator for the next phase. Its certainly a project that requires time! I've also attached a couple of photos of the radiator that show the main alterations for the Climax installation. More to follow as progress creeps forward! Cheers Derek |
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DAVID BRUZAS' RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL BRABHAM MIDGET DEMONSTRATOR |
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"Good morning Martin, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Four days at Goowood after a marathon before to get the car ready for display. It was great result. Most of the time the car was surrounded by people. I was kept busy answering questions . One elderly gentleman was interested in the car, he had worked at Jack Brabham’s in the early ‘60’s. He was very interested in the rebuild and confirmed the various mods they carried out to install the Climax engine in my car. Both of Sir Jack's sons were there; they were fascinated with the car and asked for some pictures, which I will forward on. They also posed for some pictures, in similar poses to the original photos of their father. I have just got back from a well-earned holiday and now can get back into completing the build. I have a small issue with the clutch release. It means engine out!! Classic and Sports Car mag have asked if I would give them permission for them to write an article. Regards, David". |
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JOE ARMOUR: "Re: Lew McAllen's enquiry on the source of rear splined hubs - these are used on wire wheeled TRs and the rear of 'big' Healeys". |
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FROM LEW McALLAN: |
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HEALEYS large and small being prepped for shipping to the Sebring races in Florida, 1962. [Facebook] |
"Just read Alistair Ross's comments regarding the above. I also had an early version of these hubs on a Bugeye "Greeny" which I sold 15 months ago. This car also had early bolt-on wire wheel adapters on the rear and an early wood rim wheel which I kept for another project. Can anyone ID these parts? best regards, Lew McAllan"
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FOR SALE - SEBRING SPRITE REPLICA (1960), LHD. Comes with a recently FIA HTP papers, 2016. Ready to race. Based in France (near Paris). [I await a price guide] For more information and photos, etc please
contact Sylvain Proyart by Email
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SEBRING FASTBACK REPLICAS RE-EMERGE IN AUSTRALIA |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS: Alan Mead; Sylvain Proyart; Alistair Ross; Paul Slangen; Wm Severin Thompson; Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird; John Sprinzel; Derek Stewart; David Bruzas; Joe Armour; Lew McAllan; Simon Hutchinson; Stephen Casson; Jason Elliott; Stephen Bowen; Angelo van der Rijt; Dave Marriott; Pete Fletcher; David Nutland; Brett Pruitt; Tim Spencer; Dave Wood; Pierre Lequeux; Jeffrey Daigle; Daniel Paul; Mike Heath, and Mike Curtis. |
News ~ September 2016 |
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LETTER FROM KEN GRASING |
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Ken Grasing continues re: photos above: (Left is the car as it arrived from Iowa). "This is the 1959 car, which will be fitted with the Shorrock supercharger and done up as a Bonneville Sprite; modeled after 7080 AC as run in the 1960 Alpine rally by Tommy Wisdom and Jack Hay. Car will be painted in Healey Ice Metallic Blue and run with the soft top rather that the more typical Jensen (DHMC) hard top. Holding off on painting until we have the engine sited, as I want to get inlet for the blower positioned correctly in the bonnet. Engine is coming along and I think most of the Sebring Sprite gear is in hand. I’m still sorting the FIA Article V (safety) equipment as John Hopwood advised me the Bonneville is a Period F car, rather than a Period E car, which makes things a bit more difficult". |
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"USU cresting the brow at the top of Firle Hill at the recent Revival meeting. 250 miles round trip and three blasts up the hill made for a busy and exciting day!" Bob Hinchliffe |
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SPEEDWELL DRUM BRAKE/WIRE WHEEL CONVERSION Alistair Ross: "I had the pleasure of meeting Sven Eckhart in the summer and was pleased that he had bought TRV 202. I did go and view this car when it was for sale and noticed the Speedwell goodies that had been fitted, and we had good blather about the car (with a pint in hand). Its interesting that his car has been fitted with 8" brake drums. My car (5447 HX) was also fitted with 8" brake drums (Morris Minor) but Rubery Owen supplied splined hubs and wire wheels (I don't know when the wire wheel option was available for the Sprite) and these were fitted by Speedwells, attached is a picture of the conversion, thought this may be of interest. |
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INFORMATION SOUGHT ON SPRITE MK1 - 8965 AC Dennis Wharf is trying to assist the new owner of this car which was originally registered in 1959 to the Donald Healey Motor Company. "It has some unusual instruments, but otherwise is a completely standard, although in appalling condition. He wondered if it may have been raced. Does the reg number ring any bells, or is it most likely just one of many demonstrators with a few extra instruments fitted at some point in its past? " Feedback |
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OUR AUTHORITY ON SPEEDWELL GTs, ALISTAIR ROSS, COMMENTS ON TOM McCORMACK's ALLOY MONZA BONNET |
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"John Venner Pack in pole position at Goodwood (left). The track is the same as in Tom Coulthard's (888 HPA) picture so at least we know its Goodwood about 1960, albeit not the same time of year" - Alistair Ross. |
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MG MIDGET FOR SALE £1250. |
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FIRLE HILL REVIVAL 2016
"The Lequeux’s had a great day at the Firle Hill Revival…wih a few other Sprites…Hopefully a few more next year !" |
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A couple of photos from this year's Circuit des Remparts d'Angoulême held on 16-18 Sep 2016 - Clive Cocks in his 1962 WSM Sprite (right) and Pieter Bakker in the paddock (left). |
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This car for sale in Australia looks to have a Lenham GTO rear end - the bonnet identity I'm not sure about, but it claims to be a 1958 Sprite which doesn't quite tie up with its later screen and door configuration. Link |
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Due to change of plan Bryn Rossiter has for disposal an expertly re-manufactered pair of H4 carbs, mounted on a modified MG1100 manifold and set up for a hot 1000cc Sprite. They have not been fitted since overhaul and come with a pr of new Swiftune bellmouths. He needs £795 (firm) plus carriage at cost or collection from Wilts or Lincs (by arrangement). NOW SOLD |
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"Martin, a few images of our cars at Knockagh Hill Climb. This hill ran from the early fifty's until mid sixty's. It was also used as a stage on the International Circuit of Ireland Rally until 1971 then like a lot of road circuits stopped. The Ulster Automobile Club (UAC) revived the event on the 16th September, on one of the sunniest days of the year. My sister Fel drove our recently purchased Frog eye. This car is the same age & colour as the 1959 Monte-Carlo car . We dressed it in the Monte livery,which went down very well at the event. Regards Trevor McIlroy, Belfast". |
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I am told HALLS GARAGE also have an Open DAY on 15th October for those interested in Sebring reps, etc. |
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The Ex-John Milne Midget GT taking part in the Historic Endurance Racing Classic in Portugal
[Trevor Hibdige/David Scothorn] |
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MORE ON 888 HPA FROM FORMER OWNER JOHN PITT
"I bought 888 HPA in 1965 from the son of the Chief Superintendent of Police for Wembley, who lived in Hatch End. (Got away with speeding fines and noise etc for nearly a year as the police thought he still owned it!). He told me it was built and raced by Naylor Brothers who I think are still in business and believed it had a Coventry Climax engine originally. Front brakes were from a Lotus Elite. Rear Brakes were Austin A40 front drums, converted to rear. Gearbox had Elva straight cut gears. Light weight flywheel. Competition clutch. Panhard & anti roll bars. Twin 1 1/2 SU carbs, also Dellorto 42 DCM carb tried, no quicker but heavy on fuel! 731 & 649 cams were tried. Tell tale Rev counter.I fitted the Lenham body in 1967. I have pictures of before and after. regards, John". |
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SIMON HUTCHINSON:
Hi Martin, I bought the cream front end from ebay that was up for £200 last week. I thought it was a Lenham ‘Silverstone’ (looking at plenty of pics on the web) but you've described it as a Williams and Pritchard Sebring Mk2. [I think Motobuild call their copy of it an Ashley Silverstone on their Ashley GT- not Lenham, Ed] Sadly it's been standing upright for many years and the extra weight of the nose ducting has caused some gel coat cracking mid-wheel arch and just behind the headlights. The latches are seized solid but externally very good, are they Triumph Spitfire/Herald items? [Yes, Ed] Also has a crack along the bottom of the air intake but nothing insurmountable for the £160 I paid in the end. I have these for a 74 RWA Midget that's about three projects away from starting and would love one of the Lenham GT rears. [Available from CCK Historic] If these are too expensive/rare then an Ashley GT would suffice. The chap who sold the front end has a complete skinny disc setup if you anyone who's interested, I could pass there details on (what is a fair price for these?). [Good question] I noted on one of the pictures within the site a scene from the Brighton Speed Trials (Jensen in the background) and my then black Midget BGJ 840B sporting the Ashley hard top and possibly a Lenham front was leaving the line in the Ladies race with Pat Uren at the wheel. This car started out white through to the Black streamlined body and had a supercharged 1100 fitted, crashed and front returned to white standard body with a 1600 X Flow then re-shelled in 72 and fitted with a 1600 Lotus Twin Cam, 2 years later retired to back of garage and I bought it in about 2007 without the engine and box sadly. It has 8” wide revolutions, big discs and drums & telescopic dampers all round. The bubbled rear arches aren’t to my taste but I’ll leave them as long as the wheels don’t rub. The fronts will have to be more pedestrian friendly than the trailer mudguards fitted. Eric Green (Pat's husband) was in the process of supercharging the Twin Cam and had cut a huge chunk of the drivers foot well out and converted to LHD. I have a 165 BHP Zetec (twin cam) and 5 speed box to slot in. Great web site by the way. Regards, Simon. |
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SPOTTED AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL BY BOB HINCHLIFFE:
The nice little Ashley-bodied Frogeye of John Foard (Hants) and David Bruzas' newly completed Brabham Midget with Coventry Climax engine which formed part of the tribute to the late Sir Jack. |
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FROM JOHN SPRINZEL: "Brett Pruitt has finished rebuilding my Hawaiian Sprite of 21 years, into a copy of the original Alpine rally Class winning car of 1958. An unbelievable restoration. [Below, and right:] |
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KEITH EGAR REPORTS: "Halls Garage at Morton near Bourne make all the panels and can also build a Sebring replica. They can also manufacture side screens. They did a lovely conversion on my competition car" |
AND JASON ELLIOTT OF HALLS GARAGE: "We do Sebring Sprite panels but they take 4 to 6 week to deliver. We have front screens in stock. Side screens made to order. We can also supply separately or as complete kit. TIFOSI-HALLS GARAGE |
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REMEMBER TRV 202 - THAT RUST BUCKET SVEN ECKHARDT BOUGHT ON EBAY? Well, he is gradually transforming it back to its former glory complete with its period 8" drum brakes. |
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Great progress - well done Sven! |
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WILL THERE BE ANY MORE SEBRING REPLICAS ? A question received this week: "Hi Martin, I own a 1961 Frogeye and am enquiring as to the availability, and price of the Sebring bonnet, and Sebring coupe top. If you could get back to me with some information I would be very grateful", and my response: "Unfortunately Andrew Forster closed Archers Garage in February this year following a fire a year earlier. He has now taken fulltime employment elsewhere and his moulds are in storage. However, you can obtain both a bonnet and coupe top from CCK Historic in Sussex. Laminated windscreens are available from a number of glass suppliers. I am not sure about the Perspex rear screen but that is not a complicated item. The side-screens are more difficult and I have been co-ordinating a list, currently of 14 people wanting these. An engineer has agreed to make them but it is taking time.There may be other sources of panels too and I hope to have details shortly. Let me know if I can assist further". If anyone can nsupply information as to alternative suppliers would you kindly let me know on Feedback. |
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Sorry, I'm away again for a week, back on 23rd. Enjoy the summer weather. |
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Photo from Tom Coulthard revealed on Facebook. I'm hoping he'll tell us more about it but notice the Sprite in the foreground is 888HPA which later evolved into his Lenham GT. |
Squadron-leader Paddy Gaston in his Sprite RAM 35 during 1961. [Courtesy of Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird on Facebook] |
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ANOTHER WENDY GIBBS INTERVIEW - THIS TIME WITH JOE ARMOUR - EXCELLENT! |
WATCH THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL LIVE
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Revs Library have this nice photo of Geoff Healey with 1411 WD prior to its entry in the Le Mans 24hrs 1961 |
ONE OF LENHAM'S OTHER PROJECTS WAS THE P70 built around 1970 [Facebook] |
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Tony Griffiths confirms that "the Sebring replica that belonged to the late Mike Cockayne is now in the hands of a gentleman called Will Dick who is an Alfa Romeo specialist in Wolverhampton and well known racer of Alfa Romeo cars. His company name is WAD Developments. I believe Will may have been a friend of Mike's". |
BMC/PATHE NEWS FILM ABOUT THE "NEW" FROGEYE, WITH ROY SALVADORI AND JOHN BOLSTER IS ON YOUTUBE |
BRABHAM MIDGET David Bruzas confirms his newly restored example will form part of the Jack Brabham Memorial at the Goodwood Revival later this month. |
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A COUPLE OF ITEMS I AM OFFERING ON EBAY
to make some space in my workshop. Left is my engine test rig also useable for dummy building up suspension, steering, brakes, etc. Right is an early 1098cc engine. Test rig is now £4.20, engine 99p . BOTH NOW SOLD. |
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NOS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES |
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WENDY GIBBS
is putting together a number of video interviews highlighting Sprite Car Club of Australia members cars. The first, now available on YouTube is of Colin Dodds with The Frite (Jag E-Type engined Sprite. Definitely worth a look. What Colin doesn't know about Sprites ain't worth knowing! Next interviewee will be Joe Armour I believe. |
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John Pitt tells me that it was he who was the original owner who carried out the conversion of 888 HPA, the Lenham GT now owned by Tom Coulthard. |
NEWS FROM TIFOSI (HALLS GARAGE) |
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Regular contributor Graham Bish has kindly sent these photos taken by his friend Peter Green at the Tatton Park Classic car show, over the weekend 20th/21st August. The car is Emrys and Pauline Jones' supercharged Sebring replica. |
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FOR SALE Sebring Sprite Replica 1960 (LHD) complete with FIA HTP 2016 and ready to race. |
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The car is based in France (near Paris). For more information, photos, etc, please contact Sylvain Proyart by email. |
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FROM SPORTING CARS |
Trevor McIlroy took part in the Shelsley Walsh Classic on 17th July and his run can now be seen on Youtube [James Thacker] |
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John Poulter: "In reference to Ian Watts and the water pump I believe that was a pressed steel impeller like the photo of the B-series pump (above right). There seems to be several attempts at replacing the iron impeller over the years - I have one new pump with a plastic moulded version - I wonder how much overheating that will take?" |
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PIERRE LEQUEUX sent in these lovely photos of PO at Goodwood (left) and Brighton Speed Trials (right) |
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MIKANSUE MODEL OF SPRINZEL SPRITE COUPE ON EBAY expires today 5 Sept Currently no bids at asking price of £49.99 |
Nicolas Billion-Rey spotted 410 EAO in the background of this photo from 1961. |
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1962 1000kms at NURBURGRING Colour slides available on ebay - of which this attractive one of 2214 UE is one. |
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PAUL TAYLOR sent in this article about the TFR5 (unfortunately written in Japanese but great photos) |
RICHARD ROOKS (SPEEDWELL GT) is looking for a new or used shift lever for a Mk1 Sprite. Any help will be appreciated. Email him please |
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GREETINGS one and all. No, I haven't been on holiday but working hard on renovations to our cottage in tranquil Teesdale. Can't wait to get the Sebring up there to enjoy the blissful roads. |
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A WATER PUMP TALE FROM IAN WATTS OF COVENTRY:
"About 2 years ago the heater on my Frogeye stopped working. I tried all the usual things to find out what was wrong but to no avail. The only thing I didn't check was the water pump as the engine temperature was fine. The other day I had to take out the radiator to repair it, so while it was out I decided to check the water pump. This is what I found. Yes, the cast iron impeller has almost completely disappeared leaving just 6 fingers remaining, and yet the engine was not over-heating, despite hard driving and being stuck in traffic in Stratford on a hot day - amazing! Anyway, new pump fitted, heater now works and the engine runs 10deg F cooler and I've got nice warm feet". |
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ALUMINIUM BONNET
A message from Tom McCormack reads: "I was hoping you or a reader would be able to identify an aluminum Sprite nose that I have owned for years. I purchased it in the late 1980's or early 90's in the Philadelphia suburbs. the seller had no history for it. I intended to put it on a vintage race Bugeye but that never came to pass. Any ideas? Thanks in advance". |
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The bonnet above would seem to be one of the very few (maybe 6) Speedwell Monza bonnets made by Williams & Pritchard and often destroyed early in their lives. Someone has clearly formed an opening in the top, probably to aid cooling. Any observations gratefully received. Feedback |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS: Ian Watts; Tom McCormack; Rob Lad Clubbe; Mike Wood; Sylvain Proyart; Andy Chaffey; John Poulter; Graham Bish; Peter Green; John Pitt; Jason Elliott; Pete and Paul Taylor; James Thacker; Richard Rooks; Pierre Lequeux; Nicolas Billion-Rey; Wendy Gibbs; Tom McCormack; David Scothorn; Wendy Gibbs |
News ~ August 2016 |
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IDENTIFYING A SPRITE ~ HAN6L 122 * *
(last 2 numbers omitted for security/privacy) US-based Kendall Cortese wanted confirmation that his VIN number was correct so I replied as follows: "HAN6 tells us the car was a Healey with A series engine, N tells us it was a 2-seater and HAN6 cars were built from May 1961 to November 1962. The "L" tells us it was a Left-hand-drive export model. Engine capacity for that period would have been 948cc. So this was a Sprite Mark 2. Chassis numbers for Mark 2 to Mark 4 were 101 to 87824. In January 1962 chassis numbers had reached HAN6 -12247 so it looks like yours was built around that time. So, as to authenticity, yes, if you have a 1962 948c Austin-Healey Sprite Mark 2 the chassis number appears to be authentic. Engine number would be 9CG-DA-H followed by a long number and it would be fitted with 1¼" SU carburettors". |
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WESTON SPEEDWELL REV COUNTERS FROM MARK WILSON See his website |
......and news that XOH is currently in Robert Visser's paint shop. lThe car sometimes ran as XOH 276 and at others XOH 277] |
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MORE OF JONATHAN'S PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK:
Left, Stirling Moss, in 9254 WD, kicks up the spray as he blasts down the rain soaked main straight, at the end of the first lap, during the 3 Hour race at Sebring in 1962. And right, thw works rally car XOH 277 slides through the corners on the 1959 Sestriere Rally. |
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PHIL ZAMLYNSKI
has been cleaning up and documenting some of the things done to his Sebring in terms of mods and new items. He is now working on the hood (bonnet), having completed his side windows with natty little door handles and has seen me these pictures, left. |
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ROGER FRIEND'S
Frogeye has been out testing at Brands with his son Oliver driving., "Towards the end of the day he got down to some reasonable lap times, not bad first time out, Lotus Elites watch out!" |
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Spot Bob Blayden's Sebring in this drone film from Hunter Valley in Australia, courtesy of Paul Vanderkooi |
LWD 959E - TFR 5 photos kindly suppled by Paul Taylor (don't ask me to translate the captions!) |
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I have not fitted (Wolseley) 1500 brakes, but this is essentially what is fitted to the Falcon Sprite - see no problems at all, since the complete assembly must be fitted. The backing plate, shoes, wheel cylinder and drums must all be included in the installation. [ROGER SIELING] |
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Purposeful little Sprite |
Jack Wheeler's, Peel bodied, alloy coupe Sprite - 7080 AC - displaying a few battle scars following the 1967 Targa Florio. [JW-B] |
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ANDY CHAFFEY'S SEBRING REP IS FOR SALE
Beautufully finished in Jaguar Gun Metal Grey with a 1380cc engine, straight cut gears, and fitted with all the right bits. Offered on car and classic at £27,995. |
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FROM ROGER FRIEND: |
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John Harris in his ex-works Healey Mk.II Sprite on the front row of the grid at Mallory Park during 1964. Mike Garton in the Healey ex-works 1961 Le Mans Sprite - 1411 WD - sits behind John on the second row. [JW-B] |
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Left: "The original Healey "Frogeye" prototype Q1 - now registered YNX 684, racing at Mallory Park during 1964. The eagle-eyed will also spot the well known registration (401 COA) from the Wisdom/Hay 1961 Monte Carlo Rally (Mk.I) Sprite, now attached to a Mk.II". [JW-B]
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"BLEEDIN' CLUTCH" ~ Alan Anstead
Four weeks ‘till I am on a Tour and inspection shows that the Clutch Master cylinder is leaking. Not a lot as the fluid in the reservoir has not dropped at any appreciable rate, the purple silicon has changed to a somewhat muddy colour, but if left unattended it will only get worse and probably fail on some high peak abroad. A new cylinder was obtained and the nearside front web trimmed so that it could be fitted alongside the brake master cylinder in the twin cylinder Sebring pedal box. The lower nut and bolt that hold the cylinder in the pedal box is difficult to access so I turned a custom bolt (picture 1) from some stainless steel. The bolt has a plain head that will pull on the rear of the cylinder web when the thread is tightened, a plain shank that is a push fit (reinforced with Loctite) then a 3/16 UNF thread to accept a suitable lock-washer and nut. No more struggling blind with hard to reach fixings. My car is already fitted with a remote bleed under the bonnet made up of a ‘Goodridge’ type hose from the slave cylinder fitted to a three way junction with one port blanked off and a bleed valve in the other. Last time I attended to this I had sealing problems as the three way was old and tired when I fitted it so I turned a new two way on the lathe. Everything was ready for bleeding. I have an Eezi-bleed, which is a good bit of kit, but get a poor seal and fluid goes everywhere. I might be retired but everyone else was at work so the old ‘pump the pedal’ way of bleeding was ‘out’.as I could not find an assistant. Or was it? The Sebring pedals have two holes vertically in line at its very tip. One hole is for the actuating arm clevis pin and the other for attaching the return spring. I used a piece of steel to make an under-bonnetpedal extension. I drilled two holes to correspond with the two holes in the pedal. The lower hole was sized to fit over the projecting clevis pin and the upper hole drilled to clear a 2BA bolt that was projected into the upper pedal hole. (picture 2). I highlighted the extension with some masking tape. Everything was now within my reach for bleeding. With spanner on the bleed valve, fluid catch tank connected to the bleed valve nipple I could slacken the bleed valve; pump pedal; watch the fluid pass through the clear hose from the valve nipple to the catch tank; lock the bleed valve; release pedal; top up the master cylinder and start all over again like some automaton. Bleedin’ simple! |
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WOLSELEY 1500 REAR BRAKES Can some kind person who has fitted a set of these to a Sprite give some advice to Stuart Lane as to what is involved and how to go about it, please. Contact him via email (with copy to me please). |
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ANOTHER SPECIAL SPRITE COMES OUT OF THE WOODWORK! |
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Due to change of plan Bryn Rossiter has for disposal an expertly re-manufactered pair of H4 carbs, mounted on a modified MG1100 manifold and set up for a hot 1000cc Sprite. They have not been fitted since overhaul and come with a pr of new Swiftune bellmouths. He needs £795 (firm) plus carriage at cost or collection from Wilts or Lincs (by arrangement). Contact him by email if interested.
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The Healeysport guys have been out enjoying the hills again: Steve Casson, Dave Abram, Joe Mackrell and Rafe Hayward at Harewood last weekend (7 Aug). |
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Steve Schmidt put this shot on Facebook with the caption: "Not often you see a Sprite competing on a dirt speedway oval, but they actually handle the situation very well
Three Peaks Rally, Murtleford Speedway 1980s" |
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888 CZ ~ JOHN WATSON'S FROGEYE |
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BRABHAM PRESS CAR nears completion. David Bruzas' rebuild is now coming to fruition and he is hoping the Brabham Midget will be on display at the Goodwood Revival as part of the Jack Brabham tribute. |
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Steuart Crofts has this Ashley hardtop for sale on ebay, for a Sprite Mark 2 or Midget Mk 1. Unusually it comes with a metal parcel shelf which replaces the original bootlid. Currently at £600, ends on 19th August. |
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A nicely turned out Frogeye [BARC- Facebook] |
Drew Cameron's Speedwell Sprite [Healeysport - Facebook] |
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IAN HULETT'S immaculate W & P Sebring GT2 seen at the Old Timer Festival at Zandvoort on 30-31 July |
BARN-FIND SEBRING WITH STAR SPRITE BONNET I am awaiting more info about this car, recently acquired on ebay by Ben Tyer. Apparently it was supplied new with disc brake conversion, larger rear drums, wire wheels and a (now rare) Star Sprite bonnet. Photos coming shortly. |
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RACE MIDGET FOR SALE in Suffolk with HTPapers for race or rally. Ian McDonald is looking for £6,500 See Car & Classic |
THE EX-MIKE COCKAYNE SEBRING
is now owned by Mike's friend of 45 years or so, Will Dick. As Bob said he is rebuilding his Alfa Guilia "which was rolled at Classic Silverstone, so time is valuable" but intends to get on with the Sprite as soon as possible. |
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THE WARWICK HEALEY MOTOR COMPANY ARCHIVE PROJECT The Warwickshire County Record Office has recently purchased the remaining part of the Healey archive from the Healey family, and has raised in the order of £95,000 towards its target £120,000 "to support the purchase, cataloguing and conservation of the material". The team is currently seeking oral history in order to create 60 hours of interview material so if you are, or know of someone, who worked for the DHMC or who has a knowledge of the history of the Healey, Austin-Healey and Jensen Healey cars they would be pleased to hear from you. I attended yesterday the 2nd of 3 meetings being held at the Record Office to help identify photos and other documents in the archive. They are holding an Open Day for members of the public on Sunday 4th September (10 am - 4 pm). See attached leaflet. |
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THE EX-MIKE COCKAYNE SPRINZEL SEBRING REPLICA (Archers No.101)
When Bob Hinchliffe was at the Le Mans Classic he camped next to two guys who took an interest in his Sebring. One of them owns no. 101, the late Mike Cockayne’s car. He was told that the build is not complete and it is a long term project as the owner has other cars to work on and his main interest is building and racing Alfa Romeos. Bob was shown photos of the car in its present state and he says it looks very nice indeed. He did not find out the gentleman’s name or his contact details but I’m sure we’d all be interested in progress towards the car’s completion. |
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Bryn Rossiter tells me "that Honeybourne Mouldings are now able to offer hardtops for Mk11 Sprite/Mk1 Midget in similar style to the BMC originals. I think they are using the Frogeye style front fixings and are claimed to fit Mk1 Sprite as well. These are not yet on their website or in their catalogue but I understand they will retail at under £400 inc. VAT". |
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Mark Boldry: "Can anyone help me with a picture showing the location and size of the clutch hose bracket on the drivers footwell of the Sebring cars please..." |
Bill Emerson says "Driving WSM 403 is always a pleasure. After winning the award for "Best British Sports Car" at a recent Concors de Elegance in Cincinnati Ohio, I had the fun of DRIVING just over 900 miles from Ohio to Florida with the trophy as my passenger". |
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THE BRIDGEHAMPTON MARK 2 NOW REDUCED TO US$ 14000 (£10500) See the 'FOR SALE' PAGE |
THE PIERRE LEQUEUX STABLE [borrowed from Facebook] |
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9253 WD at Cultra hill climb 2016... Steve Nash said "I take it you aren't using the original tyres?" to which Jonathan replies "On the contrary Steve, it's still on the original 500 x 13 Dunlop's from when it was last raced in 1968".
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John Tewson out racing his 1098cc Sprite in the Fiscar series. Fiscar like to keep things original and won't allow Sprites with 1380cc engines. |
LENHAM LE MANS FOR SALE [VCA 88] part restored ex-race car in Weybridge, Surrrey, asking price £11,500 on car & classic |
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BOB BLAYDEN'S Little Green Car was spotted at a meet in Australia's Hunter Region recently. He is certainly making good use of his Sebring. |
ANOTHER SCAM PERHAPS - DON'T GET CAUGHT! Mark Wilson has spotted another Frogeye for sale on ebay about which he says: "this £7,500 Frogeye has all the hallmarks of that scammer trying it on again - in fact I'd take a wager on it - 'leave your mobile via ebay'and diverse multiple listings!!!!(Ferrari Dino yours for £8,000, 911SC for just £8,200, 1966 Mustang £8,200). Could you spread the word to be careful - of course it could be genuine but if it looks just a bit too good to be true then!!! " |
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SVEN GOES TO THE BLACK FOREST
Sven Eckhardt "returned from Schluchsee, luckily in one piece, the engine firing on all four cylinders (most of the time). The rebuilt 948 was a pleasant surprise powerwise. It did not seem to run out of steam even beyond 6500 rpm which was the limit I put on it. Probably half the teeth went missing on the tired straight cut box´s first gear. Occasionally the car will only make grinding noises with the engaged first gear but refuses to move. But as JS says in his book 'one got used to finishing a rallye without first and reverse'. It was not quite as bad as that. The runs were spectacular as well as demanding and we met up with a great crowd of people ours being one of four Sprites and obviously being the only Sebring". |
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CHATEAU IMPNEY HIGHLIGHTS |
FOR SALE PAGE UPDATED today |
SHORROCK enthusiasts may like to see Keith Luck's installation in his 1949 "lowlight Morris (Minor), which has an overhead valve conversion and Shorrock c75b kit., It goes rather well for a sidevalve". |
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WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD ~ TIM SAUNDERS Can anyone help Dave Hughes who is trying to contact Tim Saunders former webmaster of the Williams & Pritchard Register website as he has a query about a Lotus? Feedback please. NOW SORTED - THANK YOU ALL |
Graham Hill driving what was, I believe, Richard Melville's Speedwell GT during the 4 Hr. race at Sebring in 1961. [JWB] |
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Keith Luck (Shorrock specialist) tells me: "VVB193 used to belong to the late Ian Bishop, and has a c75b kit fitted. |
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Bob Hinchliffe re: the shots below: "In Graham's photo taken from the rear of my car (USU 607) I am in standing in front of the car, wearing a blue shirt, so it’s a pity I didn’t meet him. I was talking to Brian Morland from whom I bought my MG Ashley Midget. He now has a lovely MGB Sebring Replica so we formed a 'Sebring Corner'.” |
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GRAHAM BISH went to "CLASSICS ON THE COMMON" at Harpenden on a recent Wednesday and spotted USU607 there. "Unfortunately there was nobody by the car despite me going back several times. I understand it is owned by Mike Pragnell according to your records. [No, it is now with Bob Hinchliffe] Also there was VVB193 a standard bodied car with a 'supercharged' bonnet badge. Again no driver present". |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ July 2016 |
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GEARBOX FOR SALE
John Austin has a spare genuine Sprite/Midget gearbox for sale. It is good except for noisy first and reverse gears. Email him if interested. |
WANTED Roger Friend is looking for a smoothcase gearbox - internals not important. FOUND |
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UP FOR AUCTION AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND
is Richard Sands' newly completed Sebring Fastback. Originally on the market for £29,500 its guide price is now only £18-20K. A bargain for someone perhaps? SOLD £19,690 |
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Hello Martin, I've been following your website regularly for the several years now. It's a great site! As my own frogeye has a little competition history I thought you might be interested in seeing a few pictures. I restored XFD593 with my father when I was 15. It's an August '58 car. Following an article in Revcounter about my car, I got in touch with the previous owner, Mr Roger Folwer. He's a very nice chap and has given me lots of information relating to his racing career. |
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PICS FROM SHELSLEY WALSH ~ JULY 17TH kindly submitted by DENNIS WHARF
"Great day at Shelsley yesterday, fantastic cars, lovely people, superb weather, in a fabulous setting, even an air display - what more could you ask.....?Pride of place went to the Auto-Union C type Grand Prix car, not seen since June 1936 when it won the day driven by Hans Stuck. Yesterday Hans junior (!) was driving. Audi, who now own the 4C, specially prepared and brought the car here from their museum in Germany just for this occasion, which evidently has taken six years in the planning. The V16 500+bhp machine was right on song however, the sound quite like nothing I've heard before - bloody quick too.In addition to this we were also treated to a selection of the old eighties Group B rally monsters, some with their original pilots behind their wheels. The sound of the turbo wastegates in some cases drowning out the considerable exhaust notes. Although supposedly a demonstration run, the speed trap's indicated otherwise....! A good number of Spridgets were out playing too". Left to right: Stephen Casson, Maxwell Shand, James Thacvker, and Trevor McIlroy. |
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CHATEAU IMPNEY HILL-CLIMB |
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HEALEY MANIFOLD Ivo Cappon is offering this Healey inlet on ebay at £175 expires 21 July SOLD £475!! |
BOB BLAYDEN'S SEBRING
now sports rear fog and reversing lights which look "pretty neat", don't they? |
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FROM HANS VAN DER KERKHOF AT THE HEALEY MUSEUM: |
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CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS HARDTOP
recently acquired by Erick Moser, and presumably for a Frogeye? Feedback please |
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Derek Stewart's dummy build of his Coventry Climax - Toyota T50 combo is ready for its trial fit (left) |
SEBRING SIDE-SCREENS I have come to an agreement with Andrew Forster by which he is to lend his jig and swaging tool to another engineer who I have appointed to assemble a number of sets of side screens. I have 12 people on a list but if others need side windows watch this space or: contact me if interested |
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ASHLEY HARDTOP for a Mk2 Sprite or Mk1 Midget currently for sale on ebay at £250 expires 21 July. |
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WER 354 ploughs through the snow, with its studded Dunlop "Weathermaster" tyres, on the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally. |
James Thacker pulls out all the stops in TZA at the recent Chateau Impney hillclimb |
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DECALS Pete Taylor has identified the "I'm backing Healeys" badge as part of the assault on the 1968 Le Mans race with the Healey SR. Badge available from "Worldwide Austin Healeys" |
Bryn Rossiter's new pedal box installed in his Sebring Sprite. Note: re-positioned heater blower to clear it. |
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FROM MIKE HEATH: "I'm a member of both the Midget & Sprite Club and Austin Healey Club and have read with interest your pieces on the racing Sprite's of the 1960's. I have a couple of Frogeyes, one of which I acquired relatively recently and am in the process of restoring/conserving. I thought you might be interested in this sticker attached to the hardtop. It's not one I've seen before - have you? Which car does it relate to, and what year?" Feedback please. |
Alan Anstead: "Hi, |
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The late Ian Walker, in WJB 707, one of John Sprinzel's W&P alloy coupes, at Silverstone in 1961. Andrew Hedges in a similar car (410 EAO), on the far right of the photo, trails behind. WJB 707, with Ian driving, was the most successful of the W&P coupes in 1961, but sadly never ventured abroad during this year. [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird] |
John Sprinzel: "Ian held the class lap record at almost every British Circuit, but not at Aintree, where Kenyan Vic Preston drove his car as Ian had a business appt he couldn't miss". |
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"Wow-- did I really take this much effort to reply to sales inquiries? At least Peter is still a friend after all those years, so it was obviously worth it.... J.S." [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird] |
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SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT! Dennis Wharf is reluctantly offering his MGB GT V8 for sale at £22,000 (see below) |
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Supplied by University Motors in 1974, it has been looked after by Beers of Houghton throughout its entire life. Carefully maintained by each of its 3 owners and now with 156,000 miles on the clock. NOW SOLD |
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PARTS FOR SALE
Roger Friend has: a pair of Tall side screens for DHMC hard top brand new unused never fitted £400 maybe for someone who needs urgently. Also: a pair of Peter May splined hardened drive shafts 600 miles on them selling due to change of plans (fitting minilites) £200. Email him - BOTH NOW SOLD Roger is also looking for a 649 camshaft. FOUND THANKS |
FROM FEMI ODUTOLU: I hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer. I am plodding on here with the build. Its always a bit slower when you stray from the norm and have to make everything to fit. But progress is good. We installed the glass, and wiring is almost complete I have reverse engineered the steering cowl and successfully printed a copy. I will be selling the expensive one I bought off now if anyone is interested. It is brand new and cost over £100 from Healey Spares I think . I would like £80 for it. Some progress pictures attached. Email.
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STARTING PROBLEMS FOR MARK PETERSEN |
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IS THAT AN ALEXANDER BONNET? Sprite For Sale Damian Jones says its an after-market steel bonnet of unknown manufacture. |
QUITE A GRID AT ZANDVOORT for the Oldtimer Festival on 30/31 July for the "Antonio Bertini Memorial Trophy" |
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ENX 415C Hawkins and Rhodes, 1965 Le Mans car [Photo from Facebook] |
WHAT BECAME OF RWV 661 ~ ALEXANDER GT? |
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Hi Martin,
More on Cylinder Heads -
I have attached a photo of the 12G 295 ( Mk-111 Sprite) Cylinder Head
that the Australian Mini specialist, Peter Manton modified for Frank
Cook during the late 1960's, and was still fitted to GWS211 in 1978 when I bought it. As the motor had been reconditioned, with virtually no miles on it, it was quite a few years later, after blowing a head gasket, that I found that not only was the head highly modified, but also that there were also 2 dowels (which can be clearly seen in the photo) fitted to locate it exactly in position onto the then fitted 1100cc (Mk-11A) Sprite Engine block. I then fitted this head to a 948ccc block, bored out to 1060cc, using Mahle "D" top pistons, and a 88G 229 camshaft. A brand new "Red" crankshaft was also installed at the same time. it is still running in this configuration today. Happy Spriteing, Ray (English). |
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Joe Armour says "I was interested to see the XSP engine listed on ebay. When you view the LH carb/exhaust side the block casting has the number 707/254. The number 707 seems to be the prefix for all XSP components. I would welcome others comment on this. I am looking for 707/??? fuel injection trumpets for a works XSP engine" |
Ray English's "Peter Manton" modified cylinder head (see above). |
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Ian Burford in the Lumbertubs Sprite dices with Charles Rainford (Lenham Le Mans) at Snetterton last month.
[Photos courtesy of CCK Historic, taken by Jeff Bloxham] |
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Rob Maxtone-Graham adds: "Hi gang, I seem to remember seeing a pic of the Huffaker version of divided port, where the divider was part of the manifold..... Rob" |
John Colegate sits in the Falcon Sprite with Skip Jackson. John c-drove it at Le Mans in 1960. |
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MORE ON XSP ENGINES - FROM JOHN POULTER |
"I’ve been looking at the photos of XSP 1973-7 particularly around the thermostat area where the thermostat housing has been milled away for the extra head bolt. The head is not a 12G940 casting however more like a 12G295. Its a pity the central exhaust port can’t be seen. I referred to the photos I have of the 1098 ex works engine owned by the guy in Ireland who wouldn’t sell it to the Car SOS team for JWB’sMk 2 [Ronnie White] and there is the same shape at either end of the head – this one does have the divided central exhaust port and was referred to in the receipt as a “special head not homolgated”. See the photos [to follow] just for your interest. Regards John. |
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" Hi Martin, Very sad news about Butch Gilbert; as you know I bought my DHMC hard top from him. I had many a long chat with him. Amongst his collection he had the factory Triumph Vitesse which he was very proud of. Just before he shipped my hardtop he had started his chemo. We stayed in touch - he fought a brave fight to the end. Roger Friend" |
"Martin, I was interested to see the XSP engine listed on ebay. When you view the LH carb/exhaust side the block casting has the number 707/254. The number 707 seems to be the prefix for all XSP components. I would welcome others comment on this. I am looking for 707/??? fuel injection trumpets for a works XSP engine. Joe Armour" |
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"That XSP engine on ebay has been advertised before in Edinburgh. I believe it was down as dry sump in the original records but it’s now been wet sumped. The banjo to banjo connection is identical to that used by Howard Steele when he built the wet sump XSP engine for 2214 UE in 1963 and the enlarged sump is identical to one I saw on the Don Moore 995 F/J engine
which came out of the same car. Period correct in that it has the 9 spring clutch and non vacuum distributor. |
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XSP ENGINE FOR SALE ON EBAY
This would appear to be Jonathan Peck's engine which he offered previously. It is now at £3,500 (Buy-it-now), and expires 31st July. [Pete Taylor & Mark Matthews brought it to my attention] |
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BUTCH GILBERT I have only just learned that Butch died in October last year. He had made a wonderful job of restoring the 59 Sebring car. |
ROGER FRIEND'S SEBRING SPRITE is "nearly ready, testing at Brands later this month, my son will be racing it in the Equipe GTS series, fast road engine by Peter May for the time being, race engine for next year ,with a few trips abroad planned (Brexit permitting) including Spa. Regards Roger"
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ANYONE NEED A DONOR CAR? On ebay at a mere £46,200 expires 6 July. Consensus on facebook seems to be two 747 pilots want the plate!! |
Will Corry giving it his best during the 2015 MGLive at Silverstone in his Corry Motorsport Sebring Sprite [Legendary Circuit Series] |
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"HAPPY MONTH", AS MY MUM USED TO SAY. |
News ~ June 2016 |
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2 'NEW' ARTICLES kindly submitted by Tony Stevens One is about the Isle of Wight Frogeye marketed by Keith Brading and the other is about the 'Dick Jacobs' Midget. Thanks very much Tony. |
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MANY THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO SENT IN COLOUR CODES FOR SPEEDWELL BLUE (see below) |
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Alan Anstead's car was sprayed by Archers. |
"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]". [Neil Anderson]
David Puzey came up with the same mix |
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WER 354 - MONTE 1962 (currently owned by Tom Coulthard) - following an altercation with a telegraph pole. [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird] |
Martin,
Many thanks to you and the Sebring enthusiasts. I have now ordered the paint, and the car will be painted tomorrow. Best regards Keith (Egar) |
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LENHAM LE MANS of Ian Burford now available at £24,500 ONO as he has bought a TVR Grantura Mk1 Climax. Email |
9254 WD at the Nurburgring 1000 kms in 1963 in the hands of Clive Baker and Christabel Carlisle (17th & 2nd in class). [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, Facebook] |
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THURMASTON BODY WORKS seem to have a Sebring Fastback in their workshops. Whose is that I wonder? [Courtesy of Dave Marriott] |
HEALEY ARCHIVES AT WARWICK Gary Collins has recently been appointed as part-time archivist at Warwickshire County Record Office. Warwick recently purchased the remaining Healey records from the Healey family and Gary has invited a number of 'experts' to attend meetings to assist him in identifying photographs and other documents in advance of the archive being made generally available for research, etc. |
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PAINT CODE - for SPEEDWELL BLUE ? Keith Egar is looking for the code in order to get his new paint mixed. Can anyone help him with this? Feedback please |
THE FALCON SPRITE - LATEST FROM ROGER SIELING:
"When we brought the Sprite home last week, it had several problems that would affect continued progress. You'll note in the photo provided by Neil Anderson that the bonnet did not fit properly. The new reinforcements in the new bonnet hit the top duct work to the radiator and also hit the radiator itself. We modified some of the new reinforcements and got the bonnet to fit much better. We had planned to have a dummy engine in the car for Cinci, in actuality, the original XSP LeMans engine, but ran out of time to drop it in. We have now done that so we can check additional fits w/ the bonnet. Brent (not Brett) has been doing some exploration on the internet and perhaps a plasma spray operation may be able to save the bores and the block, so the original engine may get to run again. Regards, Roger". [Apologies Brent - MEI]
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DTA 949C SOLD for £15,950 a bargain for someone (but on a Midget base). |
PETE TAYLOR'S NEW REP STREAMLINER has been re-fitted with its outer panels and now awaits painting. |
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JOCHEN SCHMITT's DHMC HARDTOP EXPERIENCE |
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Hello Martin, Finally, after long years, I managed to finish the restoration of my DHMC hardtop. Attached you will find a couple of pictures. Additionally I would like to share some experiences that might be of interest for other owners of DHMC hardtops: |
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FULLY GLAZED!
Phil Zamlynski's Sebring Sprite is home and all the glass is now installed. He says: "The glass looks great, pics attached. The rubber is flush to the roof's edge at the front and rear. My glass guy never heard of Claytonright rubber. No special work was required to install the rear window. The front glass was cut 1/2" at the top and from 1/4" to 3/8" on each side. The bar-code on the front screen is AO662 and 6651 from Triplex replacement service Ltd. Dated 06.07.96 , 07:47. The other label has the following info: Pick reference 010102, printed 17/07/96, A0662, Y9999 bin Loc from A00B15, Sebring Sprite (restricted) , Modified 1661 (S/0)**, Bed Bir 170796 010102. Regards Phil Z" |
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An interesting page from Thoroughbred & Classic Cars in 1991 {David Morys] |
The Falcon Sprite appears at the Cincinatti Conclave with Roger Sieling and son, Brent. [Neil Anderson] |
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AND, FROM JAMES THACKER, MORE ON THE CULTRA HILL CLIMB
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"Martin,
I see you already have some Cultra photos on the web site but here are a
few more including Trevor Mcllroy, David Wylie and me on the podium and of
our three cars in another. I got on very well with Trevor and David
[good " craic " as Trevor said in an e-mail ] and it is great that David
and I will both be at the Chateau Impney event on July 9th/10th and Trevor
is coming to Classic Shelsley on 16th/17th July and I am driving at that
event on the 17th too.
We really had a wonderful time and the people of N. I . were so friendly
both when we were going round as tourists and also by the Thoroughbred
Sports Car Club of N.I. before, during and after the hillclimb. In all my
very many years of competing it is arguably about the best event I have
taken part in as the club were so very welcoming. I was spoilt for choice after the event as both the group of 14 Sprite /Midget drivers invited Matty and me to a barbecue at the local yacht club and we also had an invitation from some of the organisers and committee of TSCC to another barbecue. Because it was a club committee member, Tony Gregory, who had kindly invited us to come over for the event 11 months ago we naturally went to this and regrettably had to turn down the Sprite/Midget offer. We intended to go there just for a drink but ran out of time having to take the car back to our B&B before going to the second barbecue. An excellent week end which I would like to repeat some time again in the future. Kind regards, James (Thacker)" |
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[Photo: David Bunting Images] |
[Photo:Stuart Woods] |
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P.S. Ulster motorsport is a bit different to ours as they are able to close the
public roads once a year for hillclimbs and in theNewtownards area East of
Belfast there are about three or four hillclimbs within a few miles of each
other. At the TSCC there seem to be a large number of competitive
Sprites/Midgets at speed events mostly driven there on the road and some
with a variety of non A series engines. They use the cars for auto tests as well which apparently are often like short sprints around farm buildings etc. A great group of competitive Sprite/Midget drivers; one family, the Briens, Simon, plus his brother Mark, son Jack and daughter Tiffany [ Miss N.Ireland 2012] had four cars with Jack winning the top ten shoot out for Sprites/ Midgets just beating his Father. JT |
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A MIDGET CALLED NIGEL ! Raced by Randy Zimmerman, an engineer in Texas, he is looking for a supplier of Sebring bonnets to the States. Feedback? |
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COUPE OR FASTBACK - WHICH IS BEST? JOHN SPRINZEL: "Just as a matter of interest, I did not ever build a fast back Sebring. Frank Costin and I discussed airflow and agreed you would need a long tail to make a fast back work - current thinking was that "our" shape was more efficient, if not quite as elegant. Peter Clark, who was an early owner, had his top "fast-backed" I believe by Peels, after some damage, and a year or so later, Doug Wilson Spratt, an early Peel Sebring driver, re-designed to his own version which became the fast back WSM in fairly late 1962. Even PMO had damage with a much later owner and became a fast back until Paul Woolmer took over the wreckage and restored it to the original specification". |
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HELP - SEBRING WINDSCREEN FITTING PROBLEM!
Phil Zamlynski (USA) is having difficulty fitting the screen to his Sebring Coupe. He says "The glass guy Paul just called and he says the front windshield is too big by about 1/4" to 3/8". The rubber fits in to top very well but the glass is just too big. Paul said it can be ground down but there is always a risk that the glass will crack!!!!! The rear window fits very well and is in. I'll be visiting him tomorrow, Wednesday to see for my self. Is this not fitting normal? Or did I get the wrong glass? Can anyone tell me how to solve this probloem, please." |
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One of Ken Grasing's 3 Oklahoma-City based project Sprites is this 1959 example, just media-blasted. |
Twin-cam Alfa-engined Spridget for sale on ebay, currently at £6,100 expires 19 June [Thanks to Mark Wilson] |
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PHIL ZAMLYNSKI'S SEBRING REP GAINS A ROOF
"Well the roof is finally on the car, pic attached. I have set it up so it can be removed. Note the small black strip at the front cowl; it covers the roof and body seam. It's a machined stepped part with two small screws. The glass guys are scheduled. The plan is to have the glass put in next week. Hopefully all will go well and as planned". |
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CULTRA HILL CLIMB, NORTHERN IRELAND ~ JUNE 2016 |
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Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird's restored ex-works Sebring Mk2 and Will Corry's works-modified 510 DWD with XSP engine.
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Christophe Beaudon competing on the streets of Pau last month. |
A shot from Sebring in 1963, shows Stirling Moss between Christabel Carlisle and Denise McCluggage who shared an MGB; the Mk.II Sprite (9254 WD) was driven by Pedro Rodriguez. [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird] |
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Sebring Sprite replica built by WG British Racing in France - pics taken by JM. Cattenot at Grand Prix de l’Age D’or – Dijon – 4 et 5 Juin 2016 [Kindly sent in by Flavien Lubineau] |
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ASKING PRICE REVEALED FOR HISTORIC SEBRING
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Steve Nash: "My colleague that I used to work with has unearthed a number of slides and some cine film following his father passing away. This is one he has sent me.
I guess 1962 Monte as the car is in red". This is confirmed by John Sprinzel: "62 Monte with Christabel, during the race the crank let go, putting hole in the side of the block, and with just two cylinders working I finished the race. Louis Chiron - who was clerk of the course, tried to black flag me, but there was so much smoke in the cockpit I really couldn't see him at all. Next morning PMO started first time on the button, and BMC kindly took it back to the Uk for me. By the way, that looks like a great shot of the actual Tabac - the corner is still so named but of course there is so much Armco and barrier that it is no longer visible. cheers JS".
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Robert Visser has kindly supplied photos of the clips used on the early Ashley hardtops for Steve Bell in the States who has lost his. |
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I wasn't able to be at MG Live at Silverstone but David Morys kindly sent in these pictures of Asher Robson's Sebring Rep, (?) Jim Mackie's Frogeye racer 132 XUU, and that Italian racing fanatic (Tifosi) ! |
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JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE BIRD's REQUEST FOR HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE DRIVER AT OULTON (right)
led to Graham Bish suggesting it might be Harry Elwes who is listed as having driven a Sprite at Oulton Park in 1960, but Jonathan has since heard from Pablo Raybould (who he believes is Christabel Carlisle's brother-in-law) and who sent him the photo - that the driver may be Christopher McLaren. He says: "This would make sense, as Pablo's just completed a biography on Christabel and was given access to all her old photos". Many thanks. |
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COMING UP FOR AUCTION on 18 June.
This Sebring Fastback Rep has a guide
price of only £12/14,000. CCA Classic Car Auctions |
EARLY ASHLEY HARDTOP WINDSCREEN CLIPS
Steve Bell, a columnist in Healey Marque (AHC of America) has an early Ashley hardtop but no fixing clips. Can anyone help with dimensions, photos, etc to enable him to make some? Feedback please |
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FROM ROGER FRIEND, RE: STOLEN CLASSICS " |
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David Scothorn has "seen various cars advertised at bargain prices as classified with a mobile number to call. The Paypal transfer is made outside of Ebay". Here is some good advice: Link
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The Ex-Ian Walker/Stephen Bowen Sprinzel Sebring Coupe is being offered for sale by CCK Historic. 01825 733060 |
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BEWARE FRAUDSTERS ABOUT!!An unfortunate would-be Sprite owner has paid £4,700 for a dark green Frogeye offered on e-bay and registered OCH 713, that turned out to be a complete scam. The e-bay page was fake and the associated Paypal arrangements. "This car may of course exist (!) and some poor unfortunate, but genuine owner, may have to be answering some difficult questions. I wonder whether it had been previously (and genuinely) for sale on e-bay and some 'low life' has copied the page?" He has contacted the police, e-bay and Paypal but is concerned that no one else gets caught.
So please take care.
[Reported to me by Gordon Elwell - many thanks] |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ May 2016 |
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JONATHAN
WHITEHOUSE-BIRD recently displayed these 3 photos on the 'Austin Healey Historic Pictures' Facebook page. Can anyone identify the guy leaning against 6205 AC? Feedback please. |
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Stirling Moss in John Sprinzel's PMO 200 during the 4 Hour race at Sebring in 1961. |
The late Doug Wilson Spratt in one of the first Mk.I Sprites - VBM 7 - competing in an unknown autotest. (Tony Wilson-Spratt may know which event?). |
Oulton Park 1960. A Warwick registered Mk.I Sprite, with its unknown owner/driver, sits on the grid waiting for the off! Any info' on car or driver welcomed. |
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WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD SEBRING GT2Murray Henderson had an outing in Ian Hulett's recently completed Williams & Pritchard Sebring GT2 at the Crystal Palace Sprint on 29th May. It was Murray's first drive in a competition car for six years and he got progressively quicker during the day as his confidence in the car increased, finishing mid-class. . The car was previously raced with standard shape bodywork but was damaged at Angouleme last year. Following a major chassis repair and update it has now been fitted with a full Sebring Sprite GT2 body kit and Ian will compete in selected rounds of the CSCC Swinging Sixties series. Next outing is Brands Hatch on Saturday 4th June. |
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AND coincidentally another W & P Sebring GT2 is being prepped for this year's Angouleme by Nik Aveyard. The above are just 4 of a whole mass of photos on Nik's Facebook page showing the very high spec of his car's build. Link. |
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777 EBH ~ ALEXANDER GT |
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IVO VISSER has published (on Facebook) this photo (right) of the 1965 'works' Sebring entry DAC 952C photographed at Sebring in 1977 for the SVRA historic display, AND (left) a 'new' photo of ENX 415C, the Paul Hawkins/John Rhodes entry at Le Mans 1965. |
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TOM COULTHARD ON FACEBOOK: "Why only three?? Not noticed this shot before from Autocar (09/03/62 - probably by Edward Eves) outside the experimental shop at the Cape. One of the two on the right could be Jon Whitehouse-Bird's 9253 WD (soon to be seen at the Cultra hillclimb, near Belfast), the sole known survivor of these cars. Or was it not quite finished? The International Healey Museum has a reference to it as 'Car No. 4' ..."
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ANDY GIBSON |
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A good friend of many in the Historic Rallying world has sadly been lost to us. Andy was a brilliant navigator with an amazing mathematical mind as well as being a great character, and he successfully guided me and JJO on several events including the Lands End to John O'Groats. Our sincere condolences to his family who have circulated the following email: |
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MARTYN WILKS' PROGRESS ON HIS LENHAM LE MANS |
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Martyn has "almost finished fitting the running gear - just the hubs, discs and calipers to fit. The overhead shot of the front end shows what looks to be a rusty steering column; in fact it is the inner column which is all I will be using. I have fitted it just to gauge some measurements for the fitment of a Lifeline Motolita quick release boss, which I will be using along with a 13” flat steering wheel. I modified the steering column support by machining the bore out to a nominal size and then making a captive bush in PTFE. When the two halves of the column support are bolted up the bush can neither move up or down or side to side thus doing away with the felt bushes etc. Once I have the column cut, machined and welded I will then paint the part on show in the engine bay". |
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CHRIS KEEBLE TO OFFER RTL 304 FOR SALE following a recent refresh of the engine bay and suspension. He can be contacted on : 07850 183 677. |
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AND STILL MORE ABOUT THE CULTRA HILL-CLIMB ~ FROM TREVOR MCILROY
"I can confirm James Thacker with the A.Poole Mk.I Sprite TZA238, Jonathan Whitehours-Bird with the MkII Austin Healey 9253WD are coming to Cultra. David Wylie will also be making the trip back home with 505 BZ Speedwell Sprite to compete at Cultra 2016. I will lead the local contingent with XXC818. We have 100 entries & 25 on a reserve list at this moment in time. At the end of the event we will have an Austin Healey, Speedwell, Sebring & Midget shoot-out of approximately ten cars , ranging from mildly tuned to full blown modsports, this IN MEMORY OF MIKE WYLIE. Ronnie White's 52 LPH Sebring & Wil Corry's 510 DWD Sprite Mk2 recently purchased from the USA will be displayed beside 9253WD at the Kennedy Manor House on the day. The Clerk of the Course for the event is Fel Mcilroy (young sister) - her mode of transport on the day will also be a standard bodied Sebring Sprite. I will send you a report with images following the event. Trevor" |
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JAMES THACKER CONFIRMS TZA WILL BE THERE - at the Cultra Hill Climb, near Belfast on Saturday 11th June. I imagine that Will Corry, Trevor McIlroy and David Wylie may also be there so could be quite a big Sprite showing. Mike (Wylie) would have loved it. Link to pre-publicity material Photo: Derek Hibbert. |
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9253 WD TO GO TO THE CULTRA HILL-CLIMB |
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Photos above show: WD sitting outside Aldon's reception; WD on the rollers; WD emerges into the sunshine - now running like a Swiss watch, and finally, a shot with Aldon's boss - Alan Goodwin. |
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I asked John (Sprinzel) if he was invited to the Cincy Conclave and had this reply: "No they haven't. but I did get nice letter from John Colgate suggesting we do another Healey event together. And the folks doing the Goodwood ITV movie say they are coming to Molokai to do a piece on me for the A 35 races....cheers. J" |
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STAN BROWN SPRITE
Joe Armour has sent me the full article from Sports Car World showing this Australian conversion: He tells me: "More colourful and details on the Australian Sprite aftermarket modifications available in 1960 quite early after the Sprite's release. The report links several major names in the Australian motor racing and sports car industry. Stan Brown plus Clive Adams was Prad. JWF was a very succesful and important anufacturer and supplier of fiberglass hardtops, complete bodies in open and GT format. ( see separate advert for a JWF -Nota. Nota fabricated chassis and complete racing cars for open wheel and sports car classes.) Sam Johnson was the man behind JWF and he was very successful with a whole range of cars, mainly bodies to be fitted by the owner of a chassis and hardtops for almost ever sports car on the market. There was/is a Milano GT with a six cylinder Holden engine racing in UK. Sam also made a perfect copy of a Ferrari front engine F.1 car and a 206 SP sports car. Even the rivets heads in fiberglass were the correct spacing as an original car and fitted with a Ferrari Dino engine. Read the article. |
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Safety Fast Article on Paul Webb's hand-crafted SPRITE (BRABHAM) -CLIMAX |
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THE FALCON SPRITE MAKES PROGRESS ~ NEWS FROM ROGER SIELING "The (damaged) Falcon (Sprite) was taken to Tsikires Classics in November 2015 and Paul completed the chassis tub repair and had an associate make a new bonnet and boot lid. There was still lots of fiberglass work and a good bit of prep work on existing aluminum panels (outstanding). I've pretty much given up on Allstate insurance. Since I had committed to the Cincy (Cincinnati) Conclave (June 12 to 17) to have the Falcon at their event, we loaded it up and brought it back to Ohio (on) May 1st. We are making progress, but we know it will not be running or painted. But, it will be rolling on its own wheels. John Colgate has already committed to the event too. I don't know if they've invited Sprinzel". ** |
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JJO's ENGINE WOES |
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PAUL CLARK: "Regarding the "Healey Frogeye 2004" I recall a similar if not the same car being in the showroom at Frontline Developments old premises in Batheaston. Tim Fenna may or may not have been involved in the build or previously owned the car. I think it was subsequently sold, not necessarily by Tim, on e-bay for a surprisingly low price. I rather liked the car at Frontline and was particularly impressed with the cut down screen arrangement. Not one for the purist but probably quite a lot of fun though. Regards Paul |
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1098 ENGINE FOR SALE David Smith, from whom I have bought engines and parts in the past has available for sale: "A ‘big mains’ 10CC prefix 1098 engine. |
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US RACER NEARS COMPLETION I am gradually adding photos of Robert Kansa's 'Miss Saffron' to the web page - 20 so far and many to come. |
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SPOTTED AT PRESCOTT - BY DAVID MORYS
Labelled as a "Healey Frogeye 2004" and rumoured to have a Ford Twin-Cam engine. |
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"I have a couple of screens as in the attached picture. Mine are quite tatty and need to be refurbished. I am after someone that could make the same type of white plastic wrapping around the original frames once I have cleaned them….do you know of anyone that could do the work at a decent price…i.e cheap… I have finished restoring 257 UXU at long last and want to use the DHMC hardtop I bought a while ago ….apparently the new generation want to travel unadulterated by the elements. Pierre Lequeux". Feedback please. |
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NEWS FROM PHIL ZAMLYNSKI - WILL HIS BE THE FIRST ROADWORTHY SEBRING REP IN USA? |
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SEBRING PARTS FROM SVEN ECKHARDT Our good friend from Germany, when not busy with his 3 Sprite projects, is supplying various Sebring parts to others in need of them. He can supply a front disc brake set-up which emulates the original Sebring Sprite's Girling system using calipers from the Vauxhall/Opel Carlton Estate which are accepted by the FIA as an alternative for historic racing. In addition he is now offering an 8" rear drum brake set-up using early Triumph GT6 backplates. He has acquired 6 pairs which need the centre slightly enlarging and the mounting holes slightly filing to fit. Spitfire or GT6 handbrake levers can be used together with GT6 brake linings, springs, etc all available from Rimmer Brothers. Four different bores of wheel cylinders are available to suit all needs, and Morris Minor front drums are employed, as per Sebring. Sven is offering the backplates machined and powder coated at £155 per pair. He is also going into the manufacture of copies of the original DHMC hardtop having made a mould, and these will be available in a couple of months. Either laminated glass or acrylic window will be fitted and they will come with all fittings and rubbers (but without headlining or side-screens). Price is expected to be approximately £1,000 for the complete hardtop. Email Sven if you are interested in any of the above. |
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THOSE STRANGE HEALEY INLET MANIFOLDS |
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NEWS FROM NEIL BLANEY IN N.S.W., AUSTRALIA.
Hi Martin, Hope all is well over your way.Your trip to the Isle of Wight brought back a few memories. We were there in 1993 and had a nice drive around. We were met at the dock by Keith Brading of the Frogeye Car Co and had a nice tour of the Simeon Motor works before doing some sightseeing. Bryan Wells has been down here and had a look at my Replica. Up to now he has been mainly working on collecting and working on the mechanicals but last week he was going to put the shell on a rotisserie and starting to work on the body. I will be going up in the future when he has made some progress and I will take some pics and send them to you. The guys over your way on a Bugeye what type of rubber do they use between the hardtop and the car body. I’ve used a block type of rubber which doesn’t seal the best. The original sealing rubber on it was shaped like a ”Z” but I am unable to obtain it over here. I’ve included some later pics of my replica. Cheers Neil. [Anyone help with hardtop rubber? Feedback] |
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RICHARD SANDS' SEBRING FASTBACK FOR SALE
Professional built on a 1962 shell this Sebring has a 1340cc fast road engine mated to a Ford MT75 5-speed gearbox. For full details and lots more photos go to link. Asking price is £29,500 |
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MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GOODWOOD SPRINT ON 8TH MAY ~ THANKS TO JOHN BAGGOTT
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Rick Dupuy's Fastback in the paddock |
Garrow or Max Shand in their Mk 2 rep |
David Abram - quickest with 102.94 secs |
Ralph Haywood |
MORE ON XSP ENGINES We could do with some more help with our research into XSP engines. A quote here from an email received from John Poulter who has considerable knowledge on the subject: "My interests have been with the early 60’s XSP engines and particularly the 948 diesel version. It seems that anything produced by Eddie Maher in Courthouse Green as a bit special was given an XSP number. The man had such a high profile with the engines I am surprised there seems to be no information written about him or the work of the department. I thought there would be build sheets, etc for every engine built but have come up with nothing – it may be everything was thrown away in years past. I put an enquiry on a Coventry website a few years ago asking if anyone worked with Eddie or in the department and could tell stories about working there but got no response. I have been speaking to a chap called Roger Whittle who told me Eddie used to call to his home as he was a friend of his Dad's. Roger also had an old Mini van at one time which was running around with an early 1071 S engine from the experimental department. He wrote it off and the engine went for scrap!" |
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AND WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF LENHAM LE MANS:
David Scothorn has just put his part-restored project for sale on ebay at a 'Buy it now' price of £4,950. NOW SOLD |
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WANTED: Identity documentation for a quarter elliptic Sprite or Midget c.1961/3. If you can help please contact me via Feedback. |
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MARTYN WILKS' NEW LENHAM LE MANS |
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AUSTIN-HEALEY CLUB AT GOODWOOD SPRINT |
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Pete Taylor shared his son Paul's Frogeye at Goodwood on Sunday and on his first run Pete was quicker. Then they had a problem necessitating a trip into Chichester for a new battery. On their second runs Paul pipped his Dad by just 0.15 second! Also there were Pat Harris (Fastback), Steve Casson (Coupe) and Kevin Rowe (open).
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NEWS FROM ANDREW FORSTER (FORMERLY OF ARCHERS GARAGE) |
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1st May 2016 - Brands Hatch - MGCC Sprite-Midget Challenge & Steve Everitt Memorial Race |
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Every year the Sprite-Midget Challenge round at Brands Hatch is dedicated to the memory of Steve Everitt who raced his Midget so successfully through the 70's and 80's before dying relatively young in a road accident in Greece. A group of his old mates always gather on the bank at Paddock Bend and cheer on today's drivers in the series. Steve's sister Ros (and her partner Dave Woodgate who was his mechanic) was also present on this occasion to present the highly-prized bronze trophy which depicts Steve's Lenham-bonneted Midget. |
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Dean Stanton & Tom Walkers' Frogeyes |
Andy Southcott's Lenham Le Mans |
John Hilbery's Lenham GT |
Richard Perry's Midget |
Leaders of the pack (lap 2) |
John Hilbery and Ian Burgin clash at Paddock |
The Weston/Dunkley duel |
Nigel Langford's brightly coloured Frog |
With a pretty full grid of Sprites and Midgets running in 4 classes, the first couple of laps were pretty hectic and John Hilberry spun out at Paddock resulting in Ian Burgin taking avoiding action so they both ended up in the sand trap. This brought the safety car out and once the two beached cars had been repositioned the race developed into a three car scrap at the front between the Class A cars of Dunkley, Weston and Adams, with old master Reeve trailing a little behind. Dunkley led for a number of laps with Weston getting in front on occasions. Meanwhile Adams dropped out having lost his fan belt, and on his 3rd attempt to lead the race Weston spun out and rejoined in a distant 2nd place. Just half a lap from the chequered flag Dunkley's car developed an electrical fault handing Weston the win of which he was unaware till a little later. Reeve followed home in second. |
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James Dunkley in front... |
..until Weston squeezes by |
Stanton chases Perry |
Tom Walker & Pat Harris |
Eventual winner Dave Weston leads Graeme Adams into Druids |
Ed Reeve was delighted to pick up 2nd place |
Some of Steve's cronies watch at Paddock Hill Bend |
Steve's sister Ros presents Dave Weston with the trophy |
[The above photos (except for 4 of my own) were kindly provided by Dennis Wharf] |
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More from Tony Wood: "a couple of photos for you, unfortunately I don't have any shot of the XSP engine only the Longman split weber setup, the B&W shot is at my local circuit Croft on March 16th 1975 which produced a 2nd Class , the XSP unit is fitted then and the colour shot is at Castle Howard Hill Climb in October 1977 on the way to a class win with the Longman engine . Incidentally when I sold the XSP to Mike Harrison I kept the gearbox in the Sprite, I presume you will know of the engines where-abouts now [NO] but what of the gearbox ? Sadly I can't remember the name of the chap I sold the Sprite to but he was a freelance journalist from Grimsby way . Nice to see James Thacker as a contributor, I had a couple of tussles with him back in the day on my rare trips to Silverstone , regards , Tony" |
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[Posted on Facebook by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird]
XNB 712 in action (circuit unknown) during the 1980s. XNB, as seen here, had been fitted with the Peel Coachworks alloy coupe body, that had originally graced Doug Wilson-Spratt's 1962 Monte Carlo Rally Sebring Sprite - DWS 97. XNB 712 was campaigned by Don Hands for a short time. |
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AN XSP ENGINE (from ANTHONY WOOD): |
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SEBRING SPRITE REPLICA KIT No.86 Registration 381 SYB |
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MGs ON TRACK
Blyton Park 16th July 2016. Open for Booking on Friday 6th May. Further details on: www.mgs-on-track.com
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HOW ABOUT ENTERING THE SPA 3 HOURS ?
2/3 driver teams welcome. Two pit stops mandatory. No HTP requirement. More info |
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The Williams & Pritchard Sebring GT of Dutchman Mark Dols negotiating the Hugenholtz Corner, Zandvoort. |
For Sale - 1965 Austin Healey Sprite/Ashley GT, ex-Cameron, race ready spec. £27,500 Full details at Car & Classic |
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A GOOD DAY FOR ASHER ROBSON
at MG Car Club Brands Hatch on Saturday (Apr 30) and a nice break from his GCSE's! He started at the back of the grid (in Dad's Sebring Rep having been exempted from qualifying as he was at school. The car ran well and he finished 14th out of 20 starters and 3rd in class in the FISCAR Fliers. He had a great scrap with a Lotus Elite ....and really enjoyed himself. That's what it's all about isn't it?. |
REVIVING THE VALENCE HILL CLIMB (Westerham, Kent) Sunday 16th May 2016 10 am to 4 pm Not a full-blown hill-climb, more a demonstration and show. Further info from: events@valence.kent.sch.uk |
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MIDGET & SPRITE CLUB ~ ISLE OF WIGHT TOUR, APRIL 22 - 25, 2016 |
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Unfortunately JJO was not ready for this weekend tour as I discovered only on the Thursday prior that my replacement (12G295) cylinder head was letting water into the bores. So it was in our daily Alfa that we joined the group of fellow Spridget enthusiasts at The Grasshopper near Westerham early on Friday morning. We trickled down towards Portsmouth via a MacDonalds for a coffee break, somehow missed the others at Weatherspoons for lunch but met up again at the ferry. Over the the busy shipping lanes we motored on to the very comfortable Brunswick Hotel selected by Dave Chalk and settled in after squeezing all the little cars in the car park. We had a free day on the Saturday so after breakfast on a cool but bright sunny morning we all headed out in varying directions. Susan and I visited the botanical gardens, an alpaca farm, and the home of an early photographer. The 30 of us congregated in the bar/lounge in the evenings before and after an excellent dinner, to talk over the days events. |
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Sunday was Drive-It Day when all classic car owners are supposed to be out in their special cars so we proceeded in convoy for a tour of the island. We visited the Needles, a famous beauty spot, where we were joined by a local Sprite owner who couldn't believe his eyes when he met up with 13 others! An errant Porsche Boxster joined us. Then on to visit Queen Victoria's former home, Osborne House for a look around before returning to the hotel. Another sunny but cold day, the varied colours of the cars looked great out on the rural roads. |
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It was back home on the Monday after a most enjoyable weekend. I can't mention all involved but a special thank you to Mel and Barb Collins for organising the tour, and congrats to Ron Edwards who celebrated his 70th birthday while we were on the island . (We'll be in JJO next time). |
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Coach Trip to the BRITISH
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FOR ENTHUSIASTS FROM KENT, SUSSEX OR SURREY, UK
East Sussex MG Owners Club have a few spare seats on their coach trip to the newly enlarged collection of 250 vehicles at Gaydon ~ on Thursday 19th May. Cost is £25 incl admission. The Lynns Travel coach will pick-up from 3 points: 7am from Langney Centre footbridge (Eastbourne); 7.30am from Wellshurst car park (Hellingly); and 8am from Linden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells. Packed lunch desirable. Non-members welcome. Ring John Baggott on 01892 862656 to book your seat. |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ April 2016 |
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LEGENDARY CIRCUIT SERIES ~ organiser Pieter Bakkar says (on Facebook): " I am looking for two more pre-1971 under 2L Production Road Sports Cars for our Angoulême 16-18 Sept. grid. The grid so far consists of AH Frogeye, MG Midget, MG Sebring GT, Triumph GT6, TVR Grantura, Lotus Seven, Morgan Roadster*, Triumph Spitfire, MGB Roadster, Lotus Elan, Morgan +8*, WSM Sprite, Davrian MkI, Marcos 1800 GT [* = on Avon tyres]. In order to further add to the quality of this grid, cars not mentioned before have my preference. For your details, have a look at this link" |
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MORE ON ADO 34/50
I had a chat with Douglas Anderson (Dundee) on the phone the other day. He told me that he had commmissioned his friend Richard Oakes to design the car for him. Richard was responsible for the GTM, the Nova and others and Douglas is currently engaged in writing a book about him. They are now trying to source a windscreen and have scanned the body in order to ensure both sides match. They will be making certain alterations to the front and rear shaping of the design on the computer before creating a mould for production. Watch this space. |
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RE: STAN BROWN (See yellow bonnet lower down the page) [Contributer Joe Armour] |
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SPEEDWELL REV COUNTER Rebuilt with replacement analogue mechanism on ebay at £255. Expires late May. [Mark Matthews] |
ANYONE RECOGNISE THIS HEALEY MANIFOLD ? It looks similar to those used on the Sprites but with unusual cruciform mounting. Feedback would be appreciated. |
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JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE-BIRD recently sent me this link to the 1961 Sebring race, on YouTube which you may enjoy.
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LENHAM GT CONVERTIBLE! Built from a 1974 Midget this car appears to offer open and closed options on the same shell. Anyone speak Dutch? |
AND FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: Pete Taylor supplied this photo of the new Ford GT at Silverstone recently. |
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SPRINZEL ON 1991 CLASSIC MARATHON
Steve Nash kindly sent in these photos taken by the brother of his ex-business partner, Phillip Senior. "Their father, Arthur Senior, who sadly passed away recently was a rally driver in the same period as John and continued to take part until the last few years". |
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JUERGEN SCHAEFER'S FASTBACK is now on the road but is not without problems. See below: |
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Hi Martin, It is done - the toy is on the road again, now registered as ER MG 5H in Germany and running well. Pinking cured by ignition setting, still on 98 octane, rear axle noises gone - the LSD needed special oil.
However the car is obviously "jinxed" as a new problem is surfacing !
Massive "crazing" on the right/passenger side roof area and on the rear edge of the bonnet. According to literature, crazing appears in high stress areas and this seems to be true. The bonnet case is a high-flexed part whenever I open it and the roof will be loaded heavily when the rather soft chassis tries under driving shock loads to bend and the rather thin skin comes under pressure.
My questions therefore are:
Has anybody else found this on his Archers replica or on other similar bodies?
Is it GRP or Kevlar or ??? Mine is glassfibre, thus the most brittle of the standard materials.
Is it a "Coupe' " or hatchback ? My hatch is probably weakened by the opening rear polyacryl window, but the crazing is not in that area, but in front of the passengers heads!
Does that car have a full cage, which carries the stress or only a roll bar or no additional stiffeners at all ?
My body has been produced I believe by end of 2012, early 2013 and spent most of the time indoors, being worked upon. So aging of plastic due to excessive ultraviolet sunrays is not a likely root cause.
The effect was discovered right now, the first driving experiences happened in summer 2015, up to now little more than 200 km.
Any ideas?
Regards,
Juergen. |
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ROGER FRIEND is in need of a pair of original rear springs 15 leaf in any condition. If you can help, please email him.NOW SORTED |
HOLIDAY BREAK
I am off to the Isle of Wight tomorrow with the Midget & Sprite Club, sadly not in JJO which now has a faulty cylinder head. Ran out of time to get it all sorted so the car will be out again soon. I shall be back at my website desk on Thursday next, 28th April. |
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Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird recently posted the above left photo of a bonnet on Facebook. A couple of guys identified it as made by Stan Brown of Sydney, Australia and Ray English has confirmed this, helpfully provided these other 3 photos. He says: "The car on the cover of Sports Car World still exists; however both the bonnet and the hardtop are not fitted to it anymore. Owned by Bob Lomas, who visited the Sprite Room a couple of weeks back, and is currently on holiday somewhere in the UK as I write this, bought the car in the early 1980's, the alloy GT top was still fitted, albeit in very poor condition, but the bonnet had been replaced".
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DEREK STEWART ON MX 5 SEATS:
"I fitted a pair of MX5 seats to a 1275 Midget a couple of years ago. As mentioned, the donor should be an earlier car (separate head rests) as the seat runner pattern can be adapted to work. It will require a spacer under each mounting foot (total 8) of the runners. This foot will have to be rebent from the original MX5 shape and the orientation of the Mazda floor fixing points are not uniform. I can't be completely sure, but I think the forward inner Sprite floor mounting hole rings a bell for a pick up point. It'll require a bit of fiddling to obtain the desired result and I found the original Midget floor mounting points and metal bracing could be conflicting when drilling new holes. There's quite a lot of stuff on Google". |
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AN UPDATE FROM JUERGEN SCHAEFER ON HIS SEBRING BUILD
"After frustrating months, now some good news, this last week I've managed to get my toy on the road again - with the small engine now - and on Friday have passed the "TÜV" test, roadworthiness and historic. There are still a number of bugs to eliminate and problems to solve, so I do not yet want any public celebrations or uproar, however I expect to get my numberplates this week and then I can send a few proper pictures and technical spec as well as a bit of its history for your website.
Open issues are mainly: |
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ANOTHER DOZEN FASCINATING PHOTOS OF THE PETER SMITH FASTBACK AT PHILLIP ISLAND
courtesy of Alan Mead |
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ANYONE GOT A LANDAR ROCKER COVER FOR PER ROXLIN? Feedback please |
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ADO 34/50 REVEALED
Some of you will remember my publishing a drawing of this prototype which was due to appear at one of the shows a while back. Douglas Anderson has now revealed: "The aluminium pre-production prototype and its suspension is now complete and I am working towards a glass fibre production version by the end of the year. I thought that your fellow enthusiasts would be interested in seeing photos of the aluminium prototype which I will be selling. If anyone is interested I would be happy to provide more details. I can be contacted at this email address or on 01382 731755". |
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HOMOLOGATION INFO REQUIRED Roger Friend needs photographic evidence that a Sprite was raced or rallied internationally using a fibreglass Frogeye bonnet pre-1961 in order to obtain his FIA HTPapers. If you can help please let me have your Feedback |
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JJO's OIL LOSS TROUBLES
After much dismantling and heaps of advice from you guys, I have eventually discovered that JP piston no.4 has broken up between the rings and will have to be replaced. This was no doubt the reason oil was being blown out into the catch tank. Of course the Australian pistons are no longer available here so I am waiting on a set of Hepolite low compression ones courtesy of Colin Carpenter of Southern Rebore. |
SORRY IT'S 'THE FRIGHT' Joe Armour says: "Did you mean Colin Dodds' MK.1 called 'Fright' ? It is well covered in his website www.spriteparts.com.au The Sprite has just finished a total restoration. The standard of work is incredible. The amazing thing is the quality of fit and finish when you consider that the motor, transmission and rear suspension is so different to the original size components. Lots of engineering under the panels including work by Lotus etc. I first saw the car back in the 70s". |
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GERRY COKER
designer of the Healey 100 and the Sprite, flanked here by Roger Menadue, opening the First European Healey Meeting in Luxembourg in 1999. Coker is now 93 and living in the USA. Menadue, "a key figure from the Donald Healey Motor Company was responsible for the construction of many of the company's racing and recording-breaking cars", died in 2003, aged 90. [Courtesy of Erik Van der Klippe]
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THE FRITE A couple of photos sent in by Bob Blayden showing Colin Dodds' Frite (or is Fright?) but unfortunately not displaying its Jaguar XK power unit. Must be quite a handful round the corners. |
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Pictured right is "Richard Melville's Speedwell GT following it's practice accident at the 1961 Nurburgring 500 Km. race when it rolled.
It's highly modified engine with 'deep-loop' cylinder head was removed and fitted into Peter Jackson's Sebring Sprite (46 BXN) in readiness for the race". [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird]
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Above left: "Andrew Hedges' W&P alloy bodied Sebring - 410 EAO - at the Nurburgring in September 1961, during practice for the 500 Km. race. Alongside is David Siegle-Morris' D 20 - on this occasion driven by Paul Hawkins and Ian Walker". [Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird]
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THE LATE RONNIE COIA first got Alan Anstead interested in Sebrings when he let Alan drive one of his two around a race circuit somewhere in Europe. He says he had some good laughs with Ronnie on several MSA Euroclassics. See Ronnie on this clip |
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DEREK'S NEW MOTOR
Not as I suggested a V8, or the family washing machine motor but it turns out to be a Coventry Climax Derek is building for his Fastback. About which the fully story coming shortly. |
ANOTHER ALEXANDER reported by Ken Grasing in the States, a 950 engine with SU manifolds on the racecars.com website. Link |
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At Brands, the Robsons had to substitute the Sebring Sprite replica with their newly built A35 Academy because of an oil pressure problem.
So Asher did his first race in a very busy A Series race in the A35 qualifying 32nd of 35 cars but kept out of trouble and the frantic goings-on to finish 12th - winning a trophy for the best presented car of the race!
Graham and Asher then shared the A35 for their first Father/Son drive, in the HRDC Touring Greats, and after a poor first stint in Graham's hands, Asher took over when 5th in class and pulled them back up to 2nd in class, 17th overall.
A brilliant first race meeting for Asher bringing home two trophies - he was over the moon!
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RACE REPORT ~ BRANDS HATCH 10th APRIL Ian Burford reports: "A few of us were out with Julius and the A Series Challenge at Brands Hatch yesterday on the Indy circuit. Charles Rainford (Lenham Le Mans), Larry Tucker (Ashley GT) and I (Lumbertubs) were up against a few Mini's plus the Academy A35 cars. The Sprite-based crowd did well, I qualified 3rd behind 2 Minis and Charles was 5th and Larry 9th. I had a good start, holding 3rd place until just after Graham Hill bend when I was over taken by another of those pesky Minis and I stayed there for the rest of the race (28 mins). There were a number of incidents, including 2 roll overs, with the last one happening on the last lap, caused according to the MSA by one of the Minis and leading to his disqualification, meaning I ended up 3rd and Larry 5th (Charles had to retire with an electrical problem). All in all a fun day with a good bunch of people!" The 3 cars were all prepared and supported by CCK Historic. |
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ANYONE GOT ALEXANDER 7-PORT HEAD DRAWINGS 1 & 2 ? |
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Alan Mead has just returned from the Phillip Island Historic motoring event where he saw Peter Smith and his Sebring Fastback and took a lot of photos of the car. Whilst there he got talking to the owner of a Turner sports car, Les Schwebel, and enquired as to which engine he was running. It was a Ford engine rather than a BMC Alexander but he said that Bob Rees in NSW had two of the Alexander 7-port cylinder heads and also a great deal of information on them. Alan: "Upon our return from the Island a phone call to Bob Rees was worth the effort as Bob has a copy of the drawings/blueprints of the Alexander head from drawing number 3 to drawing 11 with only numbers 1 & 2 missing. He was very helpful in sending me a copy of all 9 drawings. The missing two appear to be for the cylinder head itself and the rocker cover. If anybody has a copy of the 2 missing drawings I would be most interested in obtaining copies to complete the set. Attached are some photos of the head when first purchased in 1995 plus a photo of the drawings". |
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"MISS SAFFRON" Robert Kansa's Southwind Racing team is rebuilding a 1960 Frogeye with a Sebring bonnet for vintage racing. The car is getting ready for final paint and Robert is starting to assemble her. He says: "I have tons of build pictures on her own Facebook pages. Long way to go but its also come a long way". |
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TAYLORS GO SPRINTING Pete Taylor tells me that he and his son Paul have an entry in the Goodwood Sprint on 7th May, sharing Pete's Frogeye. Organised by Brighton and Hove CC, it is also a round of the Austin Healey Club hillclimb/sprint championship. |
JJO'S OIL PROBLEMS A big THANK YOU to everyone who came up with such helpful ideas as to my engine problems. Further investigation has shown that No.4 cylinder is down on compression so it's off with the head today. The pumping out of its oil may also be due to glazed bores and/or the not-quite-standard breathing system. Time will tell. "Your Comments" |
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Joe Armour directed me to this photo of Stirling Moss on his way to 3rd place in the Sebring 3 Hours in 1962.
[Photo: Tom Bigelow] |
STOLEN SUPERCHARGER Newly built for a customer's MG Midget and taken from Alex Boucher's Minispeed workshops in Byfleet. If anyone is offered it please contact Alex on 01932 400567, or notify the police |
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HELP!!! OIL CONSUMPTION/CRANKCASE BREATHING PROBLEMSA couple of years ago I decided to make use of the Shorrock supercharger I used to run in historic rallies back in the 90's. I duly built a 'new' engine based on a 10CC (large main bearing) 1098cc lump, with balanced crank and lightened flywheel and fitted my old Speedwell aluminum head. The unit runs very well but I have clearly got something wrong in that it uses lots and lots of oil so much so that I am very worried about taking JJO on a tour of the Isle of Wight later this month. I fitted a catch tank and fed hoses from both the rocker cover and side tappet cover into it. I now realise that perhaps the pipe from the rocker cover should go into the air filter so that suction through the carburettor creates a bit of negative pressure (as original). I believe the 10CC engine had a chimney on the tappet side cover which I don't have, and oil is clearly going down the side hose and filling up the catch tank to overflowing! I have fitted a baffle inside the alloy rocker cover and am now going to investigate whether there is any baffle inside the tappet cover. Can anyone help me with other options?. I have addressed the question of the supercharger using oil as it supposed to, but more like a pint in 1500 miles I gather, not 150!! Your Feedback would be much appreciated. Responses on "Your Comments 2016" |
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Phil Zamlynski (USA) continues building his Sebring Rep:
"My car's body parts were delivered to the painter yesterday. The glass is the next to be installed after painting. Attached are two pics - my seats and a pit view of some Sprites. The seats are now in the car with seat belts. The pits usually have about 25 to 30 Sprites and Midgets. Our first vintage race is the end of April. Spent some time on the web getting up to speed with whats going on. Thank you for the Sprite web site. Best Regards, Phil Z". |
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Healey Histories wins Heritage Lottery Fund support"Warwickshire County Council has been successful in its £51,300 bid to preserve (the remaining part of) the Warwick Healey Motor Company Archive. The project team hope to meet the target of (a further) £30,000 from public and private donations to ensure that the collection can be fully conserved, catalogued and parts of it digitised to ensure that the maximum benefit can be achieved from this project. Once the project is complete the collection will be available to anyone wishing to use it for research and will stand as a permanent legacy to the achievement and ingenuity of the Healey family in Warwick, the birthplace of the company". [Extracts from latest Press Release - my additions in italics] |
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PIERRE LEQUEUX ~ £9.50 per leaf!! expresses amazement at the prices being achieved on ebay, for quarter-elliptic Sprite rear springs. Those left realised £286. The ones on the right are still for sale , currently at £70 expiring 10th April. |
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HAVING COMPLETED HIS SEBRING COUPE & a MINI-MARCOS Paul Slangen has now embarked on a Lenham GT with Ashley bonnet. He is interested in Sven's Speedwell exhaust manifold as he is collecting parts for the new car which, he says, needs to become the more "brutal brother" to his Sebring - and faster. It will be modified to 5 speed gearbox, Webers etc. |
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SPRITE NATIONAL MEETING AT GOULBURN NSW
Joe Armour's photos sent by Bob Blayden who drove 4 hours to the meeting and back the same day. Australia is a big place. The little green car never missed a beat and enjoyed sitting alongside the most important Sprite in the world. |
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HEALEYSPORT OPEN THEIR HILL-CLIMB/SPRINT SEASON WITH A TEST DAY AT CURBOROUGH [Great photos, borrowed from Facebook - not sure who took them but thanks anyway] |
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Stephen Casson and... |
....Dave Abrams' SSY 119 |
Garrow and Max Shand Mk.2
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Problems for John Tewson |
MARK WARNE has taken delivery of Derek Stewart's A-Series engine to put in his Sebring Coupe and has delivered it to Andrew Forster at Aldons. I wonder what Derek has planned for his Fastback - could it be a V8 or maybe even something electric. He's quite an innovator.
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BRYN ROSSITER'S SPRINZEL FROGEYE |
ANY MORE INTEREST IN JONATHAN PECK'S XSP ENGINE? He is planning to close a deal by 8th April. Contact him promptly if you are interested. |
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LENHAM GTO FINDS A BUYER - 3RD TIME LUCKY FOR SELLER ON EBAY Walter Heale is the new owner of OYM 760A - first registered on the 17/07/61, according to the V5 - an Austin Healey Sprite with a Lenham (GTO) tail and Frogeye front. Walter is hoping the readership of this website might be able to provide some information on it. It was reputedly raced at some point in its history and he would love to find out more before mechanical restoration commences. He was told there had been many old track passes on the roll bar but sadly these were removed when the previous owner started working on the car. There is a Monterey Classics badge from the 80's on the dash so perhaps it was in the US at some point!? He says: " I attach some pictures that may help or at least provide you and your readership some amusement!". ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING OF ITS BACKGROUND ? PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA FEEDBACK The registration number is, oddly, from 1963 and the bodyshell would appear to be later than that, having wind-up style doors! Only a very few of the GTO bodies were produced, so that is quite rare. |
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YOU TUBE LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQlUKTSiDU shows LNX 629E at Sebring in 1967 (at around 2.38 being overtaken by a white Chapparal...blink and you miss it). |
AND ANOTHER:
LWD959E at 1:52 on the Sebring '68 film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rqxCMbFHxI#t=117.062754[Thanks to Simon Bilbie] |
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Benno Berchtold from the USA asked me to identify the 'AUSTIN' he had purchased. I was able to tell him it was an export model Mark 1 Sprite but it took a call to Ray English in Australia to identify its rare Emil Frey bonnet. Thanks Ray.
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WHILE ON THE AUSTRALIAN THEME
the latest edition of "Marque One" arrived this week with articles including an interesting one from Ray showing how he fitted his steel Frogeye bonnet to open forwards using bracketry supplied from Speedwell Engineering in the States. Can anyone identify the UK village, the owner and the occasion when SPN 852 passed by? |
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Neil Blaney and Ray Fahey visited Ray English on their way back from the Phillip Island Historics, and Peter Smith called in to see him the next day. This was Neil's 3rd visit to the "Sprite Room" |
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Peter Smith and son, Asher, at the “Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motor Sport”, probably the biggest and best Historic race meeting in Australia. Cars are entered from the UK, USA, Germany. It is normally held the week before the Australian F1 Grand Prix. Peter and Ash were entered in Regularity and over the two days they had 1 qualifying and 3 races each. They were very happy with how their newly completed Sebring Rep performed. [Photos thanks to Neil Blaney.]
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ March 2016 |
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1966 SEBRING SCRUTINEERING STICKER Paul Kinghan and his team are endeavouring to re-create the Miles/Ruby Ferrari X1 roadster entered by Shelby American Inc and which won the 12 Hours race at Sebring in 1966. He says "Its the 66 Sebring winner being restored, well mainly being recreated as there was little left of the original car, but every part is either original or to 100% original spec using original blueprints or otherwise reverse engineering parts. Plus we have the 2 guys on board who built the car for Ford at the McLaren workshop in Surrey. The chassis is now around 80% completed and we have approx 80% of the parts ready to start being fitted but the whole car is till some time off before completion as every single part has turned into a project. There's probably around 30-35 mini parts projects on the go at any one time, so its keeping me occupied! FYI, I also attach the best image I have found so far of the scrutineering sticker, but the logo is still not too clear to be able to replicate it confidently. I need to see which ARCF logo they used, as there are a few different versions. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. I actually visited the circuit last weekend and met with the Hall Of Fame directors. - they hardly have any old info or photos from 66. There are a few pics on the Revs Institute digital library but nothing much of any use to help an accurate reproduction of the logo shown on the sticker It's all a bit odd as none of the pics show a clear shot of the sticker. I'll keep on searching - really appreciate your help". Feedback if you can help, please. |
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Pete Taylor kindly supplied the photo, left, from 1967 but in 1966 it was triangular and yellow. Winning car right.
See above. |
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SEBRING SCRUTINEERING STICKER 1966
Paul Kinghan is working on the reconstruction of a 1966 Sebring car [I'm not sure what car it is] and is trying to find accurate info on the yellow triangular scrutineering sticker that was placed on these '66 cars. Does anyone happen to have any info on this sticker please? Contact Paul by email or use Feedback. |
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BORROWED FROM FACEBOOK: This photo (left) was uploaded by Pieter Bakker of Legendary Circuits Series and identified by Bill Uerkwitz as: Chassis: AN5L 30489 - Driver: Laurent Soubirac/Vincent Cuzacq - 2013 Dix Mille Tours at Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track. (From Ultimate Car Page with thanks to Google Images) |
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FOR SALE AT ANGLIA AUCTIONS
It claims to be a Lenham Sprite but seems to have a modified Ashley bonnet, maybe a Lenham GT rear with side windows added, and a standard late Spridget centre section with rag-top, plus a B-series motor! A project for someone no doubt. Guide price is £2-3,000. Sale is on 9th April. |
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GOODWOOD 74TH MEMBERS' MEETING I convoyed down to Goodwood on Sunday in the Sebring with Morgan Sparrow leading the way in his Ashley GT. It was very cold and we took regular coffee breaks in the warmth of the Grand Hall. It was good to meet up with Bob Hinchliffe, owner of a Sebring Rep USU 607, and former Midget racer and curator of Bernie Ecclestone's car collection, Robert Dean, among others. Much of the racing was rather spoiled by the Safety Car having to come out aftrer incidents, only the Edwardian race being exciting to watch through to the end. I have to admit to being a bit shaken by the first race accident in which a car ran wide exiting the chicane, collided with another which then flew into the air. We watched from the pit area as the car, upside down, disappeared into the opening above the underground foot passage beneath the track. We missed seeing the driver pulled out but heard later that by a piece of luck the car became caught in something within the opening and hung there with fuel pouring over the driver. A guy walking through the tunnel tried to help and also got soaked. He was put in the ambulance first, quite shaken up. The car driver Stephen Bond amazingly had only a broken collarbone. He was extremely lucky. The remains of the car were left there to be recovered later. Watch the incident on this link |
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MYSTERY HOLES IN BONNET FROM USA
Can anyone suggest the possible reason for the lines of holes drilled in Andrew Clarke's Frogeye bonnet (right). He imported the car from "the Tennessee area. It arrived in racing trim, with wide Wheels, larger drum brakes, welded diff, and various stickers on the body, lots of typical racing dents, etc. Specifically, when I stripped the bonnet I found a series of holes back from the lighting pods which might have been to mount some fairings, similar to a note I recalled from your site?? " Feedback your ideas please. |
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603 MUY ~
Steve Norton of Cape International, who built this Sebring Rep in 2014 has now sold it to Simon Durling, "a well-regarded hill climber who loves his single seaters". |
Alan Anstead sent in this pic of the Mamba Motorsport conversion to fit MGB shocks on a Spridget. Cost of adaptor plates is c.£100 |
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LENHAM IN TRAFFIC Alistair Ross spotted this Lenham Le Mans in the 1970's traffic on YouTube. Anyone recognise it? 18 secs in. |
ROBSON REP AT 74MM Antonio Paquette took this photo at Goodwood at the weekend where the car was on display. |
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REPLIES TO MY QUERY ABOUT FITTING MGB SHOCKS: |
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Tony Griffiths says: "Martin, Fitting MGB shocks to a Sprite is very easy, all you need is an adaptor plate and some nylatron bushes for the top fulcrum (I presume std bushes would do). I fitted a quick lash-up on my last race car and they worked very well, although the car ran with a lot of negative camber; this is easily cured by re-positioning the mounting holes. Since I did this I believe that John Bridge at Mamba Motorsport can supply ready-made adjustable plates for a reasonable cost. I shall be fitting them on my project Mk2 Sprite. I hope this helps ......Tony" |
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Alan Anstead says: "Apparently there is a pic of such in Daniel Stapletons first edition of Tuning Spridgets.
I found the below which may be of assistance: I have twin lever arm dampers on the Frog. There are several different versions but if you opt the for Austin A60 ones with the top resevoir and cranked arm there is no need for an adapter plate and the arm length gives essentially zero camber. The first pair I had lasted about 60000 miles (or 3 engines and 2 gearboxes in my case) so they've been pretty robust on the Sprite. 2 mounting holes are carry over and you need to drill 2 more - but I've only ever bothered with 1 and in 40 or so MOT's they've never attracted any comment.The fulcrum pin takes standard bushes and the Sprite trunnion is carried over but turned 180 degrees. The bottom line is they are so over- engineered for a Sprite they never wear out and all the loads stay on centerline as intended so the pan is never subject to twist. They sometimes come up on eBay" |
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Jonathan Peck has now put his E-type style fibreglass bonnet on ebay, having taken a mould off the one fitted for a while to PMO 200. £193.88 with 5 days to go - expires 26 Mar |
XSP ENGINE FOR SALE XSP 1973-7, owned by Jonathan Peck, this 995 (or 1098cc) dry sump motor is thought to have come originally from one of the four 1962/3 Sebring works team Sprite Mark 2s. Currently on ebay at £410, exp 26 Mar. |
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FITTING MGB FRONT SHOCKERS TO A SPRITE OR MIDGET I recall having seeign this done on a racing Midget some years ago. Does anyone know what is involved and how effective it is? |
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OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED KEN GRASING IS BUILDING 2 "NEW" SEBRING SPRITES: |
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The first is to be a BONNEVILLE SPRITE i.e a supercharged standard-bodied car. Under-going restoration Stateside, the bodyshell had suffered considerable corrosion and minor damage. |
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Ken has been collecting those rare parts required to make the car fully authentic as Donald Healey Motor Co would have built it, including Adjustable Armstrong rear shocks, Shorrock supercharger, Girling brakes, etc, etc.
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The 2nd car will be a replica SPRINZEL SEBRING car with ALLOY BODYWORK: |
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This one is currently being assembled in the UK. Having purchased a bodyshell (AN5 29570) from CCK Historic, Ken commissioned Darren Welsh of Creative Classics to construct an aluminium rear end and hardtop for the car. As you can see the shell is also fitted with alloy inner front wings and radiator uprights. Doesn't it look superb?
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EN ROUTE FROM NEW YORK TO NORTHERN IRELAND
is 510 DWD the works-modified Mk 2 which Tony Giordano has now sold to Will Corry. Will says: "A very exciting time. I will give a proper write up on the car and photographs - hopefully next week". |
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BOB BLAYDEN'S "Little Green car" finally made it back to Australia after lots of delays. Bob says: "Hi Martin,
After looking at the March latest news regarding the 74TH MEMBERS MEETING AT GOODWOOD I wish sometimes I should have left the green car in the UK as it sounds like a great day for the Sebrings to be on display (I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream) I am still coming to terms with having the green car home as everyday I have been for drive to the little local township its just going so well .
Cheers
Bob"
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74TH MEMBERS MEETING AT GOODWOOD This weekend 18-20th March the racing season commences at Goodwood. I plan to be there on Sunday. Graham and Asher Robson have been asked to once again display their Sebring at the gates to welcome arrivals. See you there? |
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES Andrew (Forster) has begun to distribute the new pedal boxes, at least 5 now delivered. |
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THE ROADSTER (8426 UE - ST 450S)
A couple of photos from Amelia Island in 2008 (taken by Pete Taylor) at which time the car was owned by Mark Flanders. |
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FROM ALAN ANSTEAD - RE: 577 DNX
"I recently noticed that the profile of my Sebring rep was a bit dated with the last picture taken at Angouleme in 2009. I sent Martin a more up-to-date picture but Martin wanted more! Since 2009 I haven't done much more than replace the front shock absorbers and routine maintenance. The car gets quite a lot of road use. Until this year on alternate years the car has either been to Le Mans Classic or participated in MASC Miglia Tours. These tours are organised by me for members of the Midget and Sprite Club for which I am Area Rep for Kent Area (www.masckent.org). The tours are about a fortnight long and the cars travel about 2500miles. You can read of last years tour on the website. By popular demand we skip Le Mans Classic and participate in another Miglia Tour this September (9-23). Want to join us then contact me via the website. The replica also participates in other tours as Kent Area are often touring at home and abroad. This year we go to Montlhery Heritage; GP Retro Le Puy de Notre Dame; and Isle of Wight whilst monthly we have popular 'Old Boys' runs to local venues. One modification that will be made to the car, as soon as the weather improves, is to fit a clutch roller release bearing that I have made that is a direct replacement for the carbon thrust race but which does not require the clutch cover thrust pad to be removed. I am supplying these to Kent MASC members with 1098/1275 engines". |
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2824 MV ~ SPEEDWELL SPRITE ~ WEB PAGE UP-DATED |
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SPEEDWELL EXHAUST MANIFOLD Sven Eckhardt has been asked whether he can supply copies of his Speedwell manifold. He has approached Maniflow who can do the job. Price will come down the greater the number. Anyone else interested in this project? Contact Sven. |
MORE YOUNG BLOOD Asher Robson, son of Graham, has passed his ARDS test a few days after his 16th birthday and is entered for his first race on 2nd Apr at Silverstone in the HRDC All Stars race in 5506 AR and then on the 10th April at Brands. |
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TONY GIORDANO says re: the Sebring 1965 rain storm - "I spoke to a few racers of the day who where there, as I own many original snaps of that race taken by the factory. One thing which came up in conversation was in addition to cars filling up with water the racers would open the doors on a hard left or right to empty the cockpit. Furthermore, since the visibility of the track was nil and dark "some cars with skinny tires were known to cross the field to the other side without notice".... While I can't say who I can say it is possible, and probable...What do you think?" |
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Joe Armour reports: SEBRING 1965 ~ SPORTS CAR DIGEST recently showed this photo of DAC 952C captioned: "The Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite of Clive Baker and Rauno Aaltonen was able to lap the faster cars during the storm due to narrow tires and higher ground clearance. Photo courtesy of Dave Nicholas". Current owner Bruno Verstraete says "It is interesting to note that in the floor of our car there is a hole which allegedly was the fast and solid solution to the temporary water issue. Unfortunately it stopped raining. That could have been the chance for Healey Sprites to win Sebring overall...
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ANOTHER LENHAM GTO rears its head after a while of the road. On ebay currently at £ Now back on at £4250 |
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PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION SHOW ~ NEC BIRMINGHAM
I took a train up to the show on Saturday and met up with numerous old friends. Alan Anstead and John Clark were busy changing John's front suspension over to poly bushes while Gary Puxty rebuilt a 948 motor on the Midget & Sprite Club stand. Peter Seamen's lovely Sebring was once again on the AHC stand, and there were several restored Spridgets dotted about. R.J.Johnson had imported Frogeyes ranging from Concours to rust-bucket to suit your pocket! An enjoyable day out. |
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THE LAST FACTORY LENHAM It seems Ian Burford also lays claim to owning the last of the factory-built Lenhams. However it now seems Rod Allsworth's car was the last kit the company supplied. Just to clarify! |
LE MANS 1967 ~ DAMAGED SPRITE PASSES THE PITS Always on the lookout for glimpses of his car on old film clips, Joe Armour spotted the Hedges/Baker No.51 entry with its damged rear bodywork after a collision in the Esses. It continued to the finish hours later. 4m45s into this clip |
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STRAIGHT-CUT CLOSE RATIO RIB CASE GEARBOX FOR SALE Tony Giordano- New York USA On ebay at $950 expires 8 Mar |
WSM WRECKED I was sorry to learn only recently of Ian Hulett's huge accident at Brands in the Equipe GTS race in Sept. (See below) |
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SEBRING HUBS AGAIN Dave Wood of Orson Equipment has received a new enquiry for front hubs of which he has none. I also know of another who wants a pair so am starting a new list. Higher grade steel for racing use is an option. Meanwhile there are still some rears available. Use Feedback if interested |
He tells me: "I initially led the race but then was side by side with Pete Foster's TR4 when in snapped sideways and went into the pit wall just passed the start line at about 100 mph - possibly due to oil on the track.
The race was stopped and I was put in the medical centre for 30 mins but apart from a couple of bruises was unhurt. I'm sure well-mounted belts and a HANS device helped. As you would expect the car is badly damaged and will require a big pull and a new front chassis, suspension and bodywork". What a shame. |
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LENHAM LE MANS PROJECT FOR SALE
Rod Allsworth has bought an (ex- Goodwood) 1938 HRG which needs full restoration so finds he has not the space or time to complete his Lenham project. Believed to be the last Lenham body kit made and sold by the original team at Harrietsham to the previous owner who fitted it to a 1967 Midget shell, it has been stored for many years. Not complete but with £3,000 race prepared engine and sccr gearbox, etc. See Full Spec. Asking price is £14,500. Contact Rod on email or on 07711 268150 |
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A FOURTH SEBRING REP IN AUSTRALIA
Neil Blaney took these photos of Peter Smith's Archers Fastback with Speedwell bonnet, now prepped and ready to race at the Phillip Island Historics in March. He says: "It is a real weapon. Peter is an auto engineer and the engineering on it is quite special. I’ll send you some photos of it racing at Phillip Island. He has another Bugeye he has run in Targa Tasmania about 8 times and the experience he gained their is reflected in his Sebring. |
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EX-WORKS LE MANS/SEBRING RACE CAR HNX 455D SOLD BY CCK HISTORIC AND HEADING FOR Oldtimer Galarie Rosenau IN GERMANY. |
A CORRECTION: It is an off-side Armstrong Adjustaride shock absorber which Keith Egar is after. Feedback please. |
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ARCHERS SEBRING REPLICA BUILD MANUALS 22 YEARS ON & THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THESE BUILD MANUALS - COUPE (LEFT) AND FASTBACK (RIGHT) Thanks to Dave Marriott and John Poulter |
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MORE ON THE TIFOSI SS:
Jason Elliott, owner of NMY 208 tells me that he works in the bodyshop at Halls Garage for proprietors Steve and Lynn Owens. He confirms that the rear end of his car is fibreglass and that they have been out racing with it. They are going to build a 1275cc engine for it. The 2nd Tifosi which I showed recently on the website was fitted to a costumer's car - a 1970s Midget and the owner finished the car himself. Halls' kits come with panels, front and rear screen, bonnet hinge assembly, bonnet catches, mounting kit, lights, screen seals and build manual. The side screens come as an extra and they make them in-house. They will supply kits to customers 'as long as the donor car is strong enough' and can rebuild donor body-shells or supply a new shell. (I wonder where that comes from). Also they have a few early donor cars in stock to build into Sebring Sprites. I wonder whether parts are interchangeable with those of the Archers rep e.g. side-screens? |
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ANY MORE FOR DHMC TALL SIDE-SCREENS?
I now have 5 people on a list, to encourage Pete Farmer to produce another batch sometime soon and am wondering if anyone else would be interested. Not cheap at £500 a set last time round but an essential component if you are building an original-looking (standard-bodied) Sebring. Let me know. |
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ARCHERS BUILD MANUAL? Robert Marshall has asked me about a build manual he says he is having difficulty accessing online. Is there such a thing? |
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTARIDES (see above correction) Keith Egar is nearing completion of his hill-climb/sprint Sebring but finds himself with 3 |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ February 2016 |
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"SPRINZEL SPEAKING ~ SEBRING" |
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THAT PMO REGISTRATION ADORNED A MIDGET
FOR THE 1970 RAC RALLY [Maybe PMO No.10 according to "Spritely Years"] Photos kindly sent in by Colin Barnett |
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RACING FROGEYE FOR SALE on ebay at £6,000 (No V5) & minus engine, box & diff. or contact CCK: 01825 733060 |
LYNDON THORNE'S RACING SPRITE
Back in Nov 2015 I was contacted by Bob Kemp (AHC registrar) as he had been asked about the current whereabouts of Lyndon's old race car - by Alistair Emson, who had various trophies from Lyndon's racing days. Robin Leathart has confirmed he "bought the car to use for Hillclimbs , Sprints and odd races. It had no log book and was an out and out race car, very light and highly developed with coil rear springs, and Midget front and rear (bodywork). It had no log book or registration number and was a vibrant blue with an orange hard top. It was a fantastic car, really competitive and I had a lot of success with it". It was sold to a young guy from the Midlands though Robin cannot be sure of his name. Can anyone get us any further? |
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ALLAN CAMERON |
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Susan and I were among the multitude who attended Allan Cameron's celebration service in Faringdon yesterday. The church was packed to overflowing with relatives and friends from his many and varied connections. His son Drew told how Allan initially did his training in engineering but really wanted to go into the family's dairy business which he ran into the 1980's. When the supermarkets robbed him of that he went into his second love, classic cars with the establishment of Old Dairy Classics where he specialised in Healeys and Morgans. Several of his cars were parked outside the hotel where the wake was held though his Sprites were absent. A much-loved man taken from us by cancer at only 64, he will be much missed by all his friends in the Austin-Healey Club, Bugatti Owners Club and at the Presott Hill Climb. I am sure his sons will continue to demonstrate his lovely cars on the hills in the years to come.
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Pieter Bakker still has a few grid slots left for the Spa 3 Hours race on 23-25 June. 2/3 driver teams with 2 pit stops. If seriously interested in joining in, register at the foot of this page:- http://legendary-circuits.eu/spa-3-hours/
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ALLAN CAMERON's funeral takes place tomorrow 23rd Feb at All Saints Church,Faringdon, Oxfordshire at 2 pm. |
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TO BE OFFERED AT BRIGHTWELLS' AUCTION IN HEREFORDSHIRE
on 2nd March is this wire wheel/disc braked Frogeye with Shorrock supercharger (not fitted). Guide price £8,500 to £9,500 |
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OFFERS SOUGHT FOR 2284 WD AND LENHAM GT Jonathan Peck is retiring and has decided to sell his Mark 2 Sebring copy complete with old log books, other papers, trailer and spares. An (?)XSP engine is also available, as is his 1958 Mk1 Lenham Sprite with 248BXN-style bonnet. Phone: 07582 808054 OR Email him for details |
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THE SPRITE ROOM
Ray English's museum of Sprite memorabilia located in Victoria, Australia contains just about everything relating to Bugeye/Frogeye Sprites. Read all about it here. |
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CAN YOU HELP? WHAT SNETTERTON MEETING WAS THIS? Pablo Raybould is writing a book "on the complete race/rally career of Christabel Carlisle, with her help, and this meeting/appearance is one that we have no knowledge of. Christabel’s Sprite can be seen clearly in the paddock next to Mike’s. It is 1963 not 1964 (as Mike thought) as Christabel’s accident was 1963 and of course the car did not exist after that. It was Snetterton and Mike seems to think it was a Healey club event?" In the left-hand photo Les Arnold in EAO leads Garton at the same meeting. Feedback please. |
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RALPH ZBARSKY on 505 CYF Hi Martin, thanks for the note and the amazing photos!! I am very grateful for any history on this car. I purchased the car from a fellow in California, I presume he imported it from the UK, and had done nothing with it. It was still a gastly purple-ish colour, with the 1275 engine. The engine tag translated to a 'Warranty Replacement Gold-Seal' engine, and was totally worn out. He had advertised it as a Lenham, and to me, it looked like Lenhams that I saw on the always-correct internet. A Lenham website co-ordinator thought it might be the Lenham prototype, based on discussions he had with some Lenham folks, but no proof. If this was built by the fellow from Wales, he did a fantastic job...... I think there are definite Lenham features, but have nothing to compare it to here.... Any further info/photos would be very welcome! Regards, Ralph. |
DAVE MATTHEWS ON 505 CYF
As I recall Ralph contacted me many moons ago about this car and I spoke to Lenhams at the time. Iit appears they made a couple of these incorporating Spitfire windscreens in to the hardtop; one was for their accountant** who lived in Crowborough and for the life of me I cannot recall his name! The car has an early bonnet with no carb bump in it yet I believe it has a 1275 unit which should foul the bonnet! Based on a Lenham GT. |
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6943 MM ~ SPEEDWELL GT I have now completed the re-vamp of this web page showing Richard Rooks' unusual car. |
A RATHER DIFFERENT LENHAM GT |
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ARCHERS GARAGE CLOSES (10 February 2016) Andrew Forster wishes to make the following announcement: "Dear Martin and fellow Sebring Sprite owners, It is a very sad day for me to announce that due to circumstances beyond my control I have to close the doors to Archers Garage Limited. The fire that happened a year ago to the day causing severe smoke damage to several cars and resulted in the insurance company claim which was drastically reduced due to it being under insured and then to have a major argument with a trusted customer to again lose a considerable amount of money has brought me to this decision. I would like to whole heartedly thank all of my customers from all the years that we have been in business for their support and friendship. I have been offered full time employment by Aldon Automotive in Brierley Hill where I will be working on classic cars. If any of you require any work to be carried out you can contact me there or on my mobile 0772 984 8213 or my email address . I still intend to continue to produce the Sebring panels and items that we already make, in my spare time from home. Again I would like to thank everyone during this time and hope to be producing many more Sebrings in the future. Andrew Forster". [I understand that Andrew will be processing the outstanding orders for pedal boxes, side-screens and other items over the coming weeks.] |
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SEBRING BONNET FOR SALE Barry McCann is offering this bonnet located in Peterborough on ebay SOLD for £398 on 20 Feb |
Peter Rogers once owned this Sprite with W & P Sebring bonnet. Bored to 997cc it had its exhaust exiting under the sill. Anyone know its history? Feedback |
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COMING SOON
I am going to prepare two 'new' web pages shortly. The first will be a re-vamp of the existing page on Richard Rooks' Speedwell GT originally registered in the UK as 6943 MM, and the other will be on Jason Elliott's Tifosi SS Sebring replica NMY 208. |
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SEBRING FRONT (& REAR) BRAKES
With the original Sebring fitment Girling Type 10 brake caliper being unavailable the accepted alternative has been the ATE (Vauxhall Carlton Estate rear) caliper. A similar to original adaptor bracket is needed to fit these to the Sprite Mk 1 stub axle, and suitable brake discs are machined-down Triumph Spitfire items. Sven Eckhardt has recently supplied this set-up to Ken Grasing in the USA and has offered to supply others at cost plus 10%. If interested you can contact Sven by email. You will also, of course, need a pair of Sebring front hubs. Sven has also made an adaptor to bolt the Rotoflex GT6 backplate to the Frogeye backaxle and should be able to supply the bits for an 8" rear drum conversion in the (near) future. |
NEW DHMC Mk 1 HARDTOPS
Staying with Sven Eckhardt in Germany, and his recent offer to have a mould made to re-produce DHMC hardtops, he has now obtained a quote of 1000 Euros to get one of his hardtops to a mouldable state and another 2500 Euros to make the mould(s). The cost of a new hardtop would then be about 700 Euros to which Sven would add his 10%, plus 10% of the tooling cost bringing the hardtop to 1050 Euros (about £800). On top of this will be needed the rear screen, rubber, brackets and clamps. A conservative guess is to add 300 pounds for these items. If still un-daunted please contact Sven by email or come through to me via Feedback |
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A TECHNICAL QUERY ~ CAN ANYONE HELP ON THIS ONE, PLEASE? |
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BODY MOULDS FOR SALE [NOW SOLD]
Remember that special body Mike Youles created for Meredith Hutchins - well the fibreglass moulds are up for sale on ebay. [Understood to now be with Dominic Mooney of Midland Classic Restorations ~ 20 Feb 2016] |
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TWO NEW ARTICLES FOR YOUR DELECTATION Kindly supplied by Alan Anstead these are, firstly one from Classics Monthly Oct 2005 featuring 4 Sprites including Alan's Sebring. Please note John Carrington should read (The Late) John Larrington. The second one is from an American Magazine Sports Car International March 2005 edition. The picture of John and Alan, was taken after lapping the Ferrari Test Track at Fiorano, Italy. |
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MY SPELLING SUITABLY CORRECTED ~ I KNEW SOMEONE WOULD HAVE THE ANSWER!
MAZAK [edit] |
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SPEEDWELL DOOR HANDLES
Remember those handles offered on ebay last month. Well they were produced by Terry Cartwright in New Zealand. Terry wanted a set for his Mk1 Midget and having searched the web without success decided to make a set using measurements from an original, plus various photos. He then had a mould made and several sets cast. Terry runs a restoration shop in NZ and believes anyone who buys these handles will be pleased with the quality. They are available at £280 a pair plus carriage (As a guide he says he sent a pair to the US for £30) Contact Terry Cartwright by email or use my Feedback page and I will forward your enquiry. N.B. a pair of original Meyzak (? spelling) ones fetched £510 on ebay last year!! |
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SVEN ECKHARDT has kindly offered to make a mould from one of his 2 DHMC hardtops so that Andrew Storer can have one - subject to the likely cost being acceptable.
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CCK MONTHLY UPDATE |
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WANTED ~ DHMC HARDTOP FOR ANDREW STORER'S FULLY RESTORED FROGEYE (below) Andrew's car now has some period style upgrades - Minilites, adjustable rear levers, disc brakes, anti-roll bar, Mike Lempert steering wheel, and a tuned 1330 engine. Does anyone have a DHMC hardtop they would be willing to sell him? Alternatively, does anyone know how feasible it might be to convert a BMC accessory hardtop to take the taller side-screens? I think the basic profile is almost the same. It might be easier to find one of those. Feedback please. |
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ALLAN CAMERONI was very sorry to hear, initially from regular fellow Healey hill-climber Pat Cooper: "Had a call from Drew Cameron this morning with the sad news that Allan had lost his brave fight with cancer and died at home last evening. He was a great pal to us all, we will miss him very much. Pat Cooper". And from David Morys: "It is with regret that I have to tell you of the death of Allan Cameron at the weekend. He had been unwell for some time though you wouldn't believe his stamina and one must feel incredible sadness for his wife and family. As you know he was an Austin Healey specialist and extremely knowledgable on the subject and built and raced cars with his two sons and was a very proud grandfather as well as an excellent competition secretary at the Bugatti Owner's Club. He will be missed amongst the Healey fraternity and the family at Prescott". We all send our sincere condolences to his wife, Carol, his sons Neil and Drew and the rest of his family. |
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"Austin-Healey" by Geoff Healey a (favoured) US edition £40 plus postage |
MGB Super Profile by Lindsay Porter £15 plus postage |
Spridget Profile by Lindsay Porter £15 plus postage |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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News ~ January 2016 |
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And Lew McAllan says: "May have originaly been an Aleaxander (bonnet), but looks a lot like this "Walker" front avaibale through Speedwell Engineering here in the US". |
Available from:
Speedwell Engineering 508 B Glenoaks Blvd., San Fernando, CA 91340 |
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David Scothorn points out: "that registration 1770 PQ has never existed. It is most likely to have been 1770 PO, issued in West Sussex between March 1959 and December 1960. Correlation puts it around July 1959. There is no current registration at DVLA. An enquiry to the West Sussex Records Office in Chichester might reveal the name of the first registered keeper". |
THAT FILM CLIP:
Both David Morys and Derek Stewart have pointed out that during the chase there is a shot of a Jaguar dashboard instead of one from an MG Magnette! |
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MANY THANKS to all those who found the YouTube clip of that film "Shadow of Fear" for me. Click the photo. |
Gary Lazarus thinks it might be a Peasmarsh bonnet but I thought they had full 7" headlights? |
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A NEW ARTICLE is published in the current (March 2016) issue of 'Classic Cars' magazine. It's a slight pity it is described as modelled on WJB 707 as this one is a Fastback and has a Speedwell Monza bonnet! [Kindly supplied by Nigel Whitty] |
DAVID WHITWORTH |
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Manchester-based Alan Oakes put his Sebring Coupe build on hold when his wife died, but is now hoping to move it forward this year. Right - note the battery box as per the originals.
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Here you Alan's project car displayed on a club stand at one of the Manchester shows. |
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GORDON MURRAY & HIS FROGEYE ~ FROM JOE ARMOUR (See Your Comments 2016) |
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AND MORE TYRES
Hi Martin, In relation to Femi’s question on tyres, on my Sebring I have Avon CR6-ZZ 175/70R13 82H on 4-1/2” wire wheels, fill the guards nicely and perform really well. Cheers Neil (Blaney) |
TYRES ~ CONCLUSION |
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TYRES (in reply to Femi Odutolu's enquiry) Dear Martin, the 185/60R13 is 11% smaller in diameter than the 'standard' 145R13 so no wonder it looks empty between tyre and body. Most Sprites are said to do best on max. size of 155R13, unless you only use it on a dry road. Remember the weight of a Sprite is only approx. 650 kg, compared to at least double that number for the cars the 185/60R13 was designed for! Good news is that looking at the dials gives you really the idea that you improved engine performance significantly..... Seriously: look at this website http://tiresize.com/comparison/ for all conversion tables of tyres. Kees van Beijmerwerdte (NL) |
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES & SIDE-SCREENS I understand that 24 newly-made and powder-coated pedal boxes are finished so that Andrew will now be able to assemble and despatch them very shortly. I am awaiting further news on progress with the 10 pairs of side-screens currently on order. |
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& MORE ON TYRES
Hello Martin,
I use Avon ZZR 185/70/13 at the rear and 175/70/13 at the front on my Lenham GT and on my Lenham Le Mans. Both are on knock-on alloy wheels.
We also have fitted these to Rene Bloemen's car on 5" wire wheels.
Kind regards |
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JOE ARMOUR HAS BEEN BUSY....
going through his extensive archive to find these 3 interesting items. The first on the left is of ENX 416C when Denis Welch put it up for sale - it is today living in Japan. The 2nd is this picture of XNB 712 from Dave Matthews' 1987 WWAH Calendar incorrectly labelled as one of the 6 W & P cars but actually the Douglas Wilson Spratt (Peel-built) body on another car. And the 3rd item is an interesting article from 1998 when Bill McDonnough and Dave Grove uncovered 585 MY (now for sale with Brian Classic. (Again click to open) |
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HOW ABOUT THIS FOR AN IDEA? A 948SL?
Spotted on Facebook - is it real or just a bit of Photoshop? Said to be designed by Vau-Teh Tuning. I'm not sure I would find it easy to get my 6'2" frame into it. |
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LENHAM LE MANS PROJECT FOR SALE ON EBAY Assembled on a Heritage 1500 bodyshell by Lenham SC Asking price £4,000 |
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TYRES:
My own response to Femi's query would be...first, let the car settle a bit as that gap will probably change once the car is occupied and in regular use. I presume he has 5 or 5.5" rims and it will depend on the intended use as to what tyre is best. For general road use and light competition I would recommend the Uniroyal Rain Expert which is available in various sizes (mine are 175/70) but for serious motorsport there are other options like the Yokohama AO range (though check legality for the road and for various competition classes and they will look even smaller in the wheel arch). MEI |
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FROM FEMI ODUTOLU: Offers are invited for this Peter May top link arm kit which cost Femi £120. He is also looking for advice on tyres. He currently has a set 185/60/13 tyres but says there is still a gap over the rear tyre despite fitting a Moss lowering kit. What sizes/brand tyres do people use? Feedback please |
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AND THEN AGAIN...
Looks likethat Sprite hardtop is from a Lotus Elite after all. "The giveaway is the line of the top of the passenger’s window aperture which is much flatter on the Elan. Who realised that the tops themselves were so alike?" My informant sent this interesting shot of John Frayling’s one-fifth scale clay model beside the first full-size Elite body at W&P’s premises in Edmonton by way of an apology. Many thanks. |
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I am reliably informed that's an Elan top, below (not Elite) - not surprising it looks so like a Sebring as both were by W&P ... |
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ELITE TOP FITTED TO A FROGEYE
During Alistair Ross's research into Speedwell GT's and their owners he was sent these two pictures by Alan Wood who once owned Speedwell GT, 60 XMX. This Sprite GT was built by Alan using the GRP top recovered from a crashed Lotus Elite. The car was also fitted with a Monza bonnet and Alan remembered that, with a bit of fettling, the Lotus top fitted very well. I wonder what he did for side windows and where the car is now. |
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ALEXANDER GT ~ RWV 661 As featured in John Baggott's book "Frogeye Sprite" this car was initially owned by Geoff Williamson and won its class at Monthlery. Nicolas Billion-Rey wonders if it is still alive? |
LENHAM HEADLAMP COWLS A pair of these, from CCK and for the Lenham streamlined bonnet, are currently being offered on ebay. Bids are now at £80. Expires 26 Jan |
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E700, here in the hands of Eric Davies in 1962 - with Mark 2 Sprite rear lights.
[Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird] |
BRIGHTON SPEED TRIALS A video which includes a glimpse of Pierre Lequeux in 2080 PO |
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MYSTERY SEBRING COUPE is not 410 EAO says Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird as it always had a dark blue stripe. Nor is it Gabriel Konig's E700 - wrong rear lights. |
SEBRING 1961 Walt Hansgen (works Sprite) leading Stirling or Pat Moss in one of the Sprinzel cars [Photo: Karsten Stelk] |
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JASON ELLIOTT recently posted this, and other photos of another Sebring being built by Halls Garage [on Facebook] N.B. lack of gutters |
COMPETITION HALF SHAFTS (Peter May Eng) on ebay, currently at £280 Expires 23 Jan |
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SPEEDWELL SLIDING DOOR HANDLES Another pair of new repro ones from New Zealand on ebay, currently at £280 Expires 23rd Jan |
RESTORED SPEEDWELL SEATS being offered on ebay by Moto-Build Racing at 'Buy Now' price of £495!! |
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Mike Curtis on Steering Columns See "Your Comments" |
DAVID SCOTHORN confirms the Ashley Sprite 3758 UE was originally registered to Donald Healey. |
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BRABHAM MIDGET PROJECT FOR SALE Ash Ward is selling his 62 Mk1 Midget touched by the hands of Sir Jack during a few conversions he did many years ago. "At present it has been garaged for 4 years since gearbox failed but due to divorce I am losing my storage. I only know of two others in existance, both of which are replica/remakes? This car currently has a Mk2 engine but I have sourced the required Climax unit to install, but not the gearbox. I am aware of the cars potential value and open to sensible offers for someone to complete the work in maintaining the former historic glory of this car. Please contact me to discuss further if interested. Ash Ward, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, ashward45@hotmail.com ". Believed to be 4736 PL |
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COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMNS Following Jonas Lindquist's enquiry and a suggestion from Steve Nash I took a look at a later Spridget steering column in my collection. The first thing I realised is it's 1¼" longer than a Frogeye one. Also it has a steering lock which needs to be removed by drilling out the bolts. A metal bracket is welded on to the outer sleeve so I ground off the welds and removed it. The inner column comes in three sections with two pairs of nylon shear pins. The top section can only slide down about 1" before it stops while it is the lower section which can move 8" or 9" so you could substitute the top section with part of a Frogeye column and fix it in solidly without shear pins. By cutting the Frogeye inner column and machining 2 flats on its sides you could make the column the right length and end up with a collapsible column with correct steering wheel splines, taper and nut. Care needs to be taken with the bottom section as once the shear pins are broken they could be difficult to re-create. N.B failure of the shear pins would not mean loss of steering merely allow the column to slide up/down. [PLEASE CHECK ALL THIS WITH A QUALIFIED ENGINEER FOR SAFETY ISSUES] |
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THAT POSSIBLE 61 WORKS SPRITE BELOW
Mark Snowden tells me he is offering the car for sale for an elderly friend in the USA. He does not think there is a chassis number which would have helped identify it, but it has a fibreglass rear end and he thinks there may be a body number. I await hearing more. |
LEIGH GROVE suggests the car below might be 410 EAO Andrew Hedges Sprinzel Coupe. Any other suggestions? |
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CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY the Sprite Coupe in the background of this Marcos shot (taken in about 1963), sent in by Maarten Krikken? Feedback |
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COULD THIS BE ONE OF THE 'WORKS' SEBRING CARS FROM 1961?
Currently being offered for sale on Car & Classic the seller of this much-modifed Frog claims: "More information has come to surface that this Frog Eye was either 3rd or 5th car in PanAm plane due to location of gas cap filler. It raced Sebring in 1961 then came back to England (all 5 cars) to have the RHD converted to LHD for American Use. Then shipped back to America". |
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AUSTIN OR AUSTIN-HEALEY?
Bob Hinchliffe mentions that he has "been in correspondence with Terry Horler of MASC regarding the DVLA registration of Austin Healeys. He wrote an article about DVLA activities in Mascot magazine. The car that I have just bought is registered as an 'Austin' and the model is designated as 'Healey Sprite'. I thought that this might be wrong and used the DVLA website to run a random check of 20 cars from your website and 15 of them were registered as Austins and 5 as Austin Healeys! Terry thinks that this is wrong but I’m not so sure. Do you have an opinion on this. I don’t want to approach the DVLA unnecessarily! Your website is a constant source of interest to me and it rekindled my passion for Sebring Sprites which first started when I saw one at the Racing Car show in the early 1960’s. Finally I have one of my own and I look forward to enjoying it for many years to come". |
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Ralph Whitmarsh was in Cornwall over the New Year and happened to be there when ex-BXN racer Peter Jackson's newly acquired supercharged Sprite arrived after having some work carried out. Note the Allard and Oselli-tuned badges.
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Pierre Lequeux sent me these photos of his DHMC sidescreen made of steel, now rusty, and with a PVC covering. He has also obtained a brand new pair of standard side-screens (AHA 5414) - note the difference in size.
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Pierre also has an original BMC deep sump kit (C-AJJ 3424) - it takes an extra 3.3 pints (it must hang down quite low!)
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and another of Pierre's little surprises: a very unusual flat Weber inlet manifold made by Lynx Engineering Australia.
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JOHN SPRINZEL HAS THE ANSWER!
"We used to get those BMC badges shown on Ray's photo with some special result engraved in the space at the bottom. I might even have one somewhere, though I doubt if I could find it quickly. That was in the days when you didn't get paid a lot for results...." |
SPEEDWELL ALLOY HEAD for sale on ebay at US $ 2,500 expires Friday 15th Jan {At that price I'd better sell mine!] |
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LYNDON THORNE'S FROGEYE
Regarding Alistair Emson's search for the Sprite raced by Lynden Thorne, (lower down the page) it appears in John Baggott's book "Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites". John describes the car as a beige 1961 car but to which Thorne fitted fibreglass Midget front and rear. Thorne went on to race Aldon's sports-racing AL2 (1975) and was last heard of Lyndon was running a gliding club in Warwickshire. But what became of his Sprite? |
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MYSTERY BMC BADGE
This B.M.C. badge was recently purchased on ebay by Ray English for the Sprite Room from a seller in the UK. It seems to be something that might have been awarded for long service, but he is hoping it might be connected to competition in some way. It came in its original packet, which it is very fragile, though the maker's label is quite good for its age. The badge itself is in perfect condition, the seller said it was in the sealed bag when he got it, however he opened it up to check the badge's condition. Any information would be appreciated. The badge measures 1⅝” X 2⅛” high. Feedback please. |
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2 NEW PHOTOS OF DD-55-33 COME TO LIGHT Posted on Facebook by owner Robert Visser and recently obtained from Zandvoort Historic are these images of his Speedwell/Ashley bodied car at the Netherlands race track back when? |
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603 MUY ~ SPRINZEL SEBRING SPRITE REPLICA FOR SALE
Full details or at CarandClassic |
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FROGEYE SPRITE RACED BY LYNDEN THORNE |
INFORMATION SOUGHT [via Bob Kemp, Sprite Registrar, AHC]
ALISTAIR EMSON has been searching for a Frogeye Sprite for a few months now. It was once owned by Lynden Thorne who raced it and Alistair has many trophies awarded for 1st place at several tracks. He obtained the registration number 772DOH from friends, but does anybody know if this car is still around, please? Use Feedback for your reply. |
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OUR OWN PERSONAL REGISTRATION SLEUTH, DAVID SCOTHORN, REPORTS: |
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SHORROCK SUPERCHARGER KIT FOR SALE Asking Price £1,000 Contact Nikolaj Mortensen by email if interested. |
A nice photo of USU 607, Bob Hinchliffe's SSR (Sprinzel Sebring Replica) recently acquired from Mike Prangnell. |
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COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN Anyone having experience in modifying the steering column for safety reasons by installing a "collapsible" steering column? What parts should be used? Photos would be appreciated! Thanks! Jonas Lindquist |
KEITH BRADING OFFERS HIS ISLE-OF-WIGHT FROGEYE BUSINESS FOR SALE [Classic & SportsCar magazine, Feb 2016 edition] |
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ACCOMPANY EX-WORKS DRIVER CLIVE BAKER IN A RACE AT EAGLES CANYON RACEWAY IN DECATUR, TEXAS, USA IN THE TARGA FLORIO PROTOTYPE TFR 7. YouTube |
AS KEN GRASING SAYS:
Here’s where all the hardtops are! Link |
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FROGEYE TACHOMETER OR FACE WANTED
Keith Newitt is looking for a Frogeye Sprite Tachometer with HIGH BEAM printed at the bottom of the face by the warning light. His has IGNITION printed on it (Mark 2 I think). Does anyone have a "HIGH BEAM" face to swop for his "IGNITION" face? Contact Keith on 01327 843262 or via email if you can help.
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TYRES FOR ROAD-GOING FROGEYE
David Bruzas has asked my advice as to a suitable 145/70 X 13 road tyre for his Frogeye. I have suggested the Uniroyal Rain Expert which I have on JJO, admittedly in a wider size and have found they have great adhesion in wet or dry. Any other suggestions would be welcome. Feedback please. |
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"Hi Martin, All good wishes for the coming year and to all the other readers of the site. It is really nice to have a website that is constantly being updated thanks to your diligence and the contributions of the readers Kind regards David Morys. |
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THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
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