THE 1958 EX-WORKS RALLY SPRITE XOH 276 SOLD BY RM SOTHEBYS RECENTLY FOR £109,250

( I await permission to reproduce the many photos and the text shown on their website In the meantime use this link.

VIA PIETER BAKKER ON FACEBOOK: "Silvia Schäfer's wunderfully designed poster "SHAPED BY THE WIND", with the Sebring Sprite in the leading act".

AND FROM SILVIA'S HUSBAND JUERGEN:
" in view of my experiences, I was quite impressed by the efforts of the Brit industry to provide me the right fuel - Shell V-power 99 octane Diesel - at Sparkhill Station in Southern Birmingham ! Seen on return from our visit to the Classic Car Show NEC. At the same occasion I came across a feature in MG Enthusiasts on 'your' (Tifosi) JEM, congratulations! For years I admired with envy the Scottish original racing at Spa or Nürburgring and before I came across Andrew's offers, one consideration was to go that route, but I was not aware of your actions".

PHOTOS FROM THE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW AT THE NEC KINDLY PROVIDED BY GRAHAM BISH

I have awarded Paul Woolmer and PMO 200 the Brian Archer Trophy for 2018. Paul also displayed the Super Sprite 364 EAC both cars on the AHC stand. The original publicity car PBL 75 was shown by the Midget & Sprite Club. Graham points out that "You can just see Peter Healey wearing a pink shirt in the background of PMO".

1275 ENGINE FOR SALE

John Poulter is offering this CE engine minus carbs, manifolds or clutch but he says he can probably find a vacuumless distributor which would fit and also an alloy rocker cover. Initial thoughts are £500 on the assumption it should be overhauled. Contact John by email or on 07941 890062

RUSS BALDWIN TELLS OF A TRIP HE TOOK IN HIS BUGEYE SPRITE, WITH BOB BLAYDEN ALONG FOR THE RIDE, AROUND THE PERIMETER OF AUSTRALIA - 18,000 KMS IN 6 WEEKS!!
Read their story....

FROM KEN GRASING:

Hello Martin, I'm very sorry to learn of Stephen Bowen’s passing.  I had the privilege of being able to correspond with Stephen while he was winding down Eurospeed Services and he had cheerfully shared a bit about some of the more unusual pieces for the Sebring’s.   You’ll remember I also had quite a special chance to closely examine WJB 707 while Stephen had (the car) at CCK last year.
I’m trying to finish up a number of the projects.  The Sprinzel coupe still needs the FIA fuel tank and adjustment of the steering column to clear the roll cage. The Bonneville is also near completion, also needing the FIA fuel tank and work on aligning the blower drive pulleys.  The 1958 standard-bodied rally car is coming along quite nicely.  We’ve got the wiring harness in and are sorting the dash layout while awaiting the cylinder head, camshaft and valve gear from the UK so we can finish up assembling the engine. The suspension, Girling brake system and hubs from Orson’s are all mounted up and look quite sharp. 
I imagine it’s started to turn a bit colder in Teesdale.  Can you still walk in the hills, or is it too cold and wet?
Best Regards, Ken Grasing (Oklahoma City U.S.A.)

MORE ON DHMC SIDE-SCREENS FROM SVEN ECKHARDT:

"Hey Martin, Good to hear you are back in Action. Two things: I was very saddened to hear of Steve´s passing as a matter of fact I had sort of planned to look him up on my next trip to the UK. I still owe him P&P for sending me those inlet manifolds. Difficult to sort that now with him. The other thing is about the sidescreens. I have kept a hat on it because I did not want to cross Pete Farmer´s business line. I have modified a tube bender so I can bend the aluminium extrusions to make the sidescreens I have made the front and rear top curves gentler  than on the ones of Peter Seaman and Pete Farmer as well as making  them lower. The first pair I have made bespoke for DA and they fit the Aperture better than any of the other pairs I have which I got of the two Peters. I have given one of the latter pairs to Bill McDonaugh to try on his Frogeye and also a pair prebent unassembled aluminium profiles in case the fit of these was not satisfactory in order to make bespoke frames. Judging from the trial fits on all of my MK I Sprites it will be difficult to make one pattern to fit all cars so one might have to go the way of bespoke frames in order to get satisfactory fits. You can put the word out that I am willing to have a go at making a few pairs of sidescreens with the understanding there is a lot of variation on the aperture with different cars and a lot of juggling might be necessary to achieve a satisfactory fit. Sven"

KINDLY SUPPLIED BY ALISTAIR ROSS:
"While trawling through some short lived magazines, in this case a magazine produced by British Leyland called HIGH ROAD for July 1970, I came across this article on a special bodied Sprite prepared in the USA by Baker Motors for 12 hr race at Sebring, please forgive the sexist writing but this was 1970, at the same time I was kicked out of school with a thick ear and a forged bus pass, all seems a long time ago".

Not a Sprite really but one of those MG things, however:

BRIAN ARCHER'S DREAM COMES TRUE THROUGH STEVE HALL & JASON ELLIOTT AT HALLS GARAGE
~ THE NEW TIFOSI JEM ~ A REPLICA OF THE "DICK JACOBS" MG MIDGETS

My very good friend, Brian Archer died some 10 years ago now but what he dearly wished to do was build a replica of one of the 'Jacobs' Midgets but in fibreglass instead of aluminium and using the wind-up windows and semi-elliptic rear suspension of the later Midget models. After his death I tried to realise his dream but after 6 years research and collecting parts plus a lot of fabrication and other work I decided it was too much for me to achieve single-handed. I thus sold the project to Steve Hall of Halls Garage, Bourne, in Lincolnshire who also build their version of John Sprinzel's Sebring Coupe. After less than 2 years they have brought the project to fruition and how fantastic it looks. It was launched at the 70th anniversary of Halls Garage, at their Open Day on October 13th. Unfortunately I was unable to accept their kind invitation to be there as we had a prior engagement or I certainly would have been along to see the amazing results of their labours. The photos below speak for themselves.
Also please take a look at my replica page on www.jacobsmidget.com.

Photos courtesy of Steve Hall, Halls Garage, Bourne, Lincs

410 EAO

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird says: "Remember, remember, the fifth of November... 28 years ago today I purchased the remains of the ex-Andrew Hedges, Sprinzel alloy coupe - 410 EAO - for the bargain price of £100."
And I hear Jim Lowry has put the restored car on the market again - still looking for a 6 figure sum. As someone said on Facebook "Jim hasn't lost hius sense of humour!"

STEPHEN BOWEN

"Hello Martin, It is with deep sorrow that I saw today on your site that Stephen passed away this week end. He has been a great helping hand in my replica project, offering a frogeye shell for sale and kindly organizing the delivery of Archers' parts to France. I have fond memories of the several trips we made to his place in Belgium ; always too short trips as Stephan loved to share many many great stories around a cup of tea, regarding Sebrings, period racing... Or during the Midget 50 celebrations at Burghley House where he gave me many details on the different cars on display and introduced me to Sebring enthousiats. My sincere condoleances to his family, Stephen will be missed. Renaud Vendel"

HEATED WINDSCREENS
I received an enquiry for a replacement windscreen and on contacting Andrew (Forster) learned that he has some heated ones in stock should anyone be interested.

DHMC SIDESCREENS
A number of people have been very patient in waiting for new sidescreens. Unfortunately the guy who was to supply them has been seriously ill so we may have to try elsewhere. I'll keep you posted as soon as I know more.

I SEE FROM FACEBOOK
that Steve Nash's Sebring has suffered an engine failure:
"Kermit.... soon to be back after blowing up his engine! Pity it's just as the weather closes in!"

PETER MAY ENGINEERING's Dominic Mooney is selling his Modsport Lenham GT. A piece of British racing history, this car is one of three cars originally built in period for use in Modsport and Special Saloon racing. Based upon a Lenham GT Sprite silhouette, the car has a bespoke space frame chassis and fibreglass body and is powered by a full race 1380cc A-Series engine, Ford 4 speed gearbox and English Ford rear axle. It features disc brakes front and rear as well as coil-over suspension. The car is eligible for the current CSCC SPECIAL SALOONS & MODSPORTS SERIES as well as a number of other sports and GT classes. It is to be sold complete with the original body moulds to allow additional bodywork to be made if required.
For further details regarding this car and its history please contact:
Peter May Engineering

OXFORD UNIVERSITIES MOTORSPORT FOUNDATION
Christmas came early at OUMF, when their bespoke student-designed Sebring Sprite fuel tank arrived, beautifully brought to life by GDM. You can see it for yourself this weekend at the NEC Classic Motor Show with their Sprite and their now well-known Riley 1.5.

This is Tifosi's new product - a copy of the Speedwell Monza bonnet originally designed by Frank Costin. It comes with a single air intake aperture or can be supplied with three intakes, has a radiator ducting panel, Aero catches and complete hinge kit. £780 inc VAT.
For more information contact Steve on steve@hallsgarage.co.uk or 01778 570286.

EX-WORKS SEBRING SPRITE (1964) FOR SALE IN THE USA ~ US$185,000
UK Reg: 776 KNX

"Its race was rather short lived, retiring with a broken axle in the 9thlap. The sister car went on to win the class, beating Abarths, Alpine Renaults and other Sprites. On March 24, 1964, after attending the race, a BMC dealer, Stephen Pitcairn, wrote to Donald Healy congratulating him on the excellent showing of the Sebring Sprite prototypes, and asked if he could purchase one of the racers. Healey Works did not usually sell their Prototypes because, has Donald said in his response letter, “prototypes are hand built and considerably more expensive.” But since he was a BMC dealer, he made an exception. The Sprite was recommissioned with some street equipment and shipped off to Pennsylvania. Stephen campaigned the Sprite in a few local hill climb events and retired it with just 900 miles on the odometer.
For further information please contact Daniel Rapley on: 203-470-5298 or by email at: danielrapley@gmail.com

A VERY SAD DAY

I heard yesterday that our good friend Stephen Bowen passed away at the weekend. Until very recently he owned the ex-works, ex-Ian Walker Sprinzel-bodied coupe registered WJB 707. He struggled with a muscle wasting disease from an early age but fought on to live to the grand old age of 74 though his last 10 months in hospital were not kind to him. We will miss his regular visits from Belgium for parts sourced all over the UK when he would often call for a cup of tea and a chat. Farewell old friend. Our sincere condolences to Sylvia and the Bowen family.
"His farewell will be on Saturday November 11 , at 11.00 in Lichtaart, Belgium"
[Photos left of Steve examining the chassis during its restoration and on display at CCK Historic when it was on the market for sale. It now resides in Germany]

FROGEYE BEATS THE ESCORTS in Historic Rally (as spotted in Classic Car Weekly by John Baggott)

An unusual;ly smart Arkley and Geoff Dixon's rather nice Ashley GT circulated at Goodwood on a recent test day.

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS - TO WHOM I SEND MY GRATEFUL THANKS:
John Baggott; Pete Taylor; Tifosi; Peter May Engineering; OUMF; Renaud Vendel; Steve Hall; Alistair Ross; Sven Eckhart; Ken Grasing; Graham Bish; Brett Pruitt; Ivo Cappon; Jurgen & Silvia Schaefer; Neil Blaney.

HEALEY NEWS BULLETIN
Hello, Last month I announced that the WHMCA Bulletin had run its course. I had spent the best part of twelve months 'showcasing' the contents of the Warwickshire County Record Office's Healey Motor Company archive. Subscribers and the many other regular visitors to the website, are now well aware of the type of material that is in the archive and how to access it via the online catalogue.  I indicated that I would like to keep the lines of communication open by sending you information on Healey cars that  I came across.  I have been touched by the number of people who have contacted me to say how much they had enjoyed reading the Bulletins and that they were a little sad that they had come to an end. Providence must have been listening to those people because an unexpected email has set me on  course for establishing a new bulletin - the 'Healey and other fine cars News Bulletin'. I hope that you like it and most importantly, I hope that you like the concept enough to submit your own stories and photos of interesting cars that you either know well (own) or have encountered by chance. See what you think. Here is the link -
http://www.carsceneinternational.com/healey-news-bulletin/
With best wishes, Nick Maltby  

BOOK FOR SALE

John Baggott bought this book recently, only to find he already had a copy. Offered for what he paid: £15. Ring John on: 01892 862656

Bloemen Replica page
updated 28/9/2018

FIRLE HILL CLIMB 16th September 2018

1310 LV, James Rainford's newly completed Lenham Le Mans had his first outing, and Pierre Lequeux was there with 2080 PO. Not a competition, more a demonstration.

SVEN ECKHARDT
recently took his Sebring Sprite back to its roots in Ireland where it was assembled (as a standard Frogeye) from a CKD kit at the end of 1960. This was its first time back in the Republic of Ireland for over 30 years. Sven left Ireland in July 1988 and took the basket case Sprite back to Germany with him.  On 16/18th of August he met up with friends, Leonard and Enda Bone as well as Helen Cowan seen behind his car (left) for a 30 year reunion in Dublin. The other fellow is Sven's friend Franz-Josef Bueschges from Munich. The lower picture shows Sven and Co with the Bowens and Pauline Jones on a run in Wales.

Very many thanks to all of you who have sent me good wishes for my recovery. I am making some progress and hope now to get back up to speed with the website. It will take a while to catch up. It is really appreciated that so many of you value the site and wish to see it continue and develop further. Thank you again. Martin

APOLOGIES FOR THE LACK OF RECENT UPDATES
I am currently suffering the after effects of two years renovating our cottage at a range of 300 miles, followed by the traumas and stresses of moving house and the continuing workload now we are in residence (including difficulties of trying to obtain planning consent for a garage). As a result I am suffering from depression and anxiety and find working on the computer is far from easy. I hope to get back to it as soon as I am fit again when I will bring things up to scratch. 18 July 2018

Bugatti T35 unblown at Prescott Driver's School - Wednesday 13th June
DAVID MORYS sent me this photo of Robert Clark supported by Paul Woolmer. Paul prepared and was mechanic on the car for today for the new owner. "The car had only been recently bought in France so it was a bit of a learning curve, blowing oil out of one of the crankcase breathers which was preventing them from running too much. Pumped but jet lubrication to the journals so a bit of adjustment required me thinks not the work of a minute and though I deal with technical drawings I'm too wise to offer advice!" DM

REPORT FROM ROGER SIELING ON THE FALCON SPRITE:
" Progress on the Falcon Sprite: It's hopefully gonna get the doors recontored soon. Our goal is to have it finished and running for the Sprite fest at ELVF and Put in Bay September this year.
I notice you don't have a number for the Girling brake caliper pistons. They are 64325434. I have just re-established an old contact in the parts business and they were able to supply to me a set of 4 of these pistons, made in 316 stainless steel. I should be able to get more, should any other member of this forum needs replacements.  Roger

"While sorting through boxes of literature that I have had stored away for years I have come across a copy of Speedwell's Modified Motoring magazine - Volume 1 Number 3.  I already have this one in The Sprite Room Collection so I would be interested in swapping it for one that I do not have in my collection. At this point of time I have the following  issues in my archives:
Volume 1 Number 2 ( Summer 1958 )
Volume 1 Number 3 ( Autumn 1958 )
Volume 2 Number 1 ( May 1959 )
Volume 2 Number 2 ( Autumn 1959 )
Volume 3 Number 2 ( Summer 1960 )
Volume 3 Number 4 ( Winter 1960-61 )
Regards, and Happy Spriteing, Ray.
PS: DID YOU KNOW that the Editor John Simpson was actually John Sprinzel  -- I have a letter ( remember when we used to write them to each other) from JS telling me why he did this.
Feedback

NEWS FROM JUERGEN SCHAFER

"Just having returned from an extended trip to the Donnington Historic Festival, I'm happy to report, our Spridget behaved properly and found a very positive reception by admirers within EU. At Donnington we got special treatment by being waved away from "All Cars" to the "Invited Clubs" lane on entry and after paying the entry fee, we obtained access to the infield as our car seemed to be interesting enough for an exhibit. Not knowing where to go, I proceeded to Redgate corner, where last year we had met with a nice lady in charge of her (late ?) husbands yellow Midget and crawling up there, we immediately spotted the little beauty, together with a number of quite attractive other MGs, mostly B's and C's. I have to apologize to members of the MGOC for intruding onto their territory, because I took a shortcut through Mazda and Triumph exhibits and realized too late that this was their club only. Hoping to see again that lady, I did not want to go away and nobody complained anyway, despite my MG Car Club sticker. Unfortunately, we did not see her or any other person belonging to that car all Saturday and we did not return on Sunday because of other commitments.
The racing did not disappoint, whilst no Spridgets were showing up, the  Speedwell A30/35s, A40s and a very hot Morris Minor Low Light  were very lively driven, albeit with varying skill. Particularly impressive was the looping the loop of an Academy A35 in front of us, fortunately all without bodily hurt.
We covered alltogether more than  2500 km, most of the time pottering at British or Belgian Motorway limits. With closed sidescreens the wind noises of Andrew's little insert slide windows are very unpleasant, so for the outbound leg which included heavy weather, we had to go slow, but the return was similar in speed, as we took off the screens to enjoy the cooling air against the hot sun. The engine rumble at around 3 to 4000 rpm in fifth is fine and consumption at a rate of 5 to 6 liters per 100 km as well, so the excessive prices of  V-power and excellium fuels becomes bearable. Germany still offers 100 to 102 octane (Shell, Aral), but Belgium only 98, despite also calling it V-Power and Britain is worse, with 97 excellium and V-power without any octane numbers indicated!
I had some tuning session at Dominic's Midland Classic Restoration rolling road to re-map the 123 ignition, which helped, but did not solve my pinking problems fully. Below 3000 even lightly touching the pedal can create ugly noises at load, even in lower gears, above 4000 I don't hear it, which Dominic diagnosed that as likely due to my advanced age hearing. I had obtained in Donnington's paddock a small flask of Millers octane booster, however did not see a real improvement on our way back.
From my 1460 Peter May engine, which gGrman TUEV did not like in my subtly modified car,  I had taken the H4s also for the "original 1100" now installed and Dominic suggests that gas speed and subsequently vaporisation and combustion are suffering. Recommendation is to go to the original small H2 set which I had refurbished by Burlen years ago and I will follow that, apart from taking the heavy boot off.
Driving barefoot is not an option, it gets very hot there!
Another issue might interest also: Whilst trying to optimize the ignition over here in Germany, I had faced starting problems. The engine took very long to fire and then surprisingly often just when was giving up and  shut off the starter. Dominic measured now a heavy voltage loss from 12 to 9 Volt before the voltage stabilizer when the high torque starter was drawing. I had moved the starter battery from the engine room to behind the drivers seat  using there a rather small gel  battery and the extra long line seems to have caused too high loss. We put it back to the front and this works now.
And one more: Thanks to Alistair Ross kindly providing me a computerized outline of my car for the weather vane, I have got laser cuts, which clearly showed an extreme "rake", what may be Adrian Newey's trick on the Red Bull F1's, but my rear wheel arches look rather empty. Overall the car has very low ground clearance, despite me now having raised the front  by removing a sort of lowering kit and installing silicone spacers for the springs.
Combined with the standard 4.22 axle ratio, the small 165/70-13" wheels create high revs and noise, which are quite annoying on long motorway drives. Can anyone advise on  a 14" wheel ? Are there historical applications documented?"

Original Dual Oil/Water Guage for the Mk2 Sprite (also ideal for Sebring Replicas based on non-Frogeye Sprites) - with the correct Mk2 part number (GD1502/06) £25 on ebay (exp 10 June)

An original Speedwell Throttle Pedal
£50 on ebay
(expires Sunday 10 June)

RICHARD HART'S RESEARCH REVEALS SOME FASCINATING HISTORY OF AN XSP ENGINE.

"Ever since first reading Spritely Years, I have been curious about the fate of the XSP engine fitted to 5983AC - the first Sebring Sprite press road test car - in 1959. In his book (p.152) Tom Coulthard notes that it was registered 'on 2 April 1959 with the engine number XSP 581-1.' Since this car was listed in Spritely Years as being then used as the basis of the Super Sprite prototype of 1960 (which used a Coventry Climax engine), it suggested that engine XSP 581-1 had gone to another use. Subsequently, I have read on your site that the surviving Super Sprite prototype "XQHS" was built up from an even earlier pre-production Sprite shell - though the Philip Young article you have on the XQHS page states there may have been three Super Sprite prototypes originally built...? So perhaps 5983AC was also re-modelled in this way...?
Adding to my general confusion on the matter, nearly 20 years ago I happened to meet Louis Cassoni, who was JS's salesman at Lancaster Mews. He told me the story of how he had written-off a supercharged Sprite demonstration car in a road accident - and how he read the road test of the car in a magazine while recovering from his adventure in hospital. Judging from the significantly deranged state of the steering wheel he showed me, that was salvaged from the wreck, it was clear that both he and the car had been quite knocked-about, and that either might have been fortunate to survive.
Many years later it occurred to me that this crashed supercharged sprite was probably 5983AC in it's later supercharged form, as road tested in 'Motor Sport' (Nov 1959) and 'Motor Rally' (Dec 1959).
[When I met Louis Cassoni, I had thought he might have been referring to the later white 1960 supercharged sprite that was tested, I think, in 'The Motor' - but this might have been a replacement demonstration car to replace the crashed one...?] So perhaps now it seemed possible that 5983AC might then have been broken to scrap...?
[The registration was, of course, transferred to the Falcon Sprite - but only in the spring of 1960 before the Sebring race - when the Falcon appeared at Nassau in Dec 1959 it was unregistered... If the registration had been switched, perhaps other parts of the car had been re-used elsewhere...?]
A couple of years ago I stumbled across a list of all the Briggs-Cunningham team cars online
Although mildly curious, I made note of it, but thought nothing more about it...
...until several months ago I looked at it again, and spotted something I had missed:
The 1960 Briggs-Cuningham Formula Junior Cooper chassis FJ/3/60 is listed as having "engine # BMC XSP 581/1"
The exact same engine from 5983AC in 1959. I can only imagine the convoluted chain of events leading to a sprite XSP engine ending-up in a formula junior Cooper in the USA... Perhaps Briggs-Cunningham was over in Europe as part of his Le Mans preparations, decided to buy a formula junior car from the Coopers, and then bumped into Geoffrey Healey, who offered him the spare XSP engine - possibly forgetting to mention it was from a wrecked car...?
Perhaps...  ...but who knows...?
(Since Rob Walker bought his Formula One Cooper for Stirling Moss from John Cooper as a bare rolling shell, and then bought engine and gearbox direct from Coventry Climax and Colotti respectively, maybe Briggs-Cunningham did something similar to save on his already-stretched racing budget...?)
Anyhow, whatever the fate of the first 5983AC, it seems that this is where the XSP engine ended-up.
I have no idea as to whether the engine still exists in the ex-Briggs-Cunningham formula junior Cooper, or not.
I hope you find this a useful addition for your XSP page, Kind Regards, Richard Hart".

LAST MONTH'S STEVE EVERITT MEMORIAL RACE
AT BRANDS HATCH
Left, Stephen Collier's Midget leads the Frogeyes of Paul Campfield and Ian Burgin into Paddock on Lap 1, and right, Graham Marchant explains the history of the Memorial Trophy to 2018 winner Stephen Collier.

AHC CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF THE SPRITE AT SHELSLEY WALSH
(photos by Kess van Beijmerwerdt)

1959 Austin Healey Sprite MK 1, cherry red, 30 000 miles after complete restoration and overhaul, very well maintained. Imported form the US in 1990. On Dutch licenceplate for myself since 1994. Heritage certificate available. Very reliable car with the 948 cc A engine and smooth-case gearbox. Diff. changed to 3.9, but 4.2 available. Bunch of spares including steel-rims and front fender.  Complete documentation available. Member of the Dutch AHOCN since 1994 and participated in all events in Europe. Selling the car because of my age of 72 yrs. The car needs to find a good home. 19 000 euro negotiable.
Contact: Lau de Smet on +31 164 241591 or by email

A BIT OF SPEEDWELL HISTORY from GLENN CASTLE
"I was away for a short break in Upton upon Severn this weekend and on the way home we stopped for a break at Stow on the Wold. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the Cafe belonged to the Grandson of Len Adams ! I have pasted the text below from his site A lovely chap and well worth a visit for good food and drinks.

https://www.speedwellsatstow.co.uk/

'Speedwell' stands for many different things; a flower, a telephone directory of old for Golders green, a printing company, a car tuning company and now a restaurant. Most importantly all these things are linked. 

Meet Sam Adams, owner of Speedwells at Stow and also grandson of the late great Len Adams, one of the designers of the Speedwell Sprite. When Sam decided to buy his parents restaurant he thought it needed a face lift. After 12 years of trading it had evolved from its humble origins as a basic Coffee House into a restaurant serving British classics, warming breakfasts and great coffee. With this evolution it was apparent that the name "The Coffee House" no longer fitted and a new name was needed. With much thought the name of Speedwells was chosen as a tribute to Sam's family history ... and it seemed a great name for what was to come. 

So a little brief history for you here... It all started with a Coffee House. Not The Coffee House that we used to be but a Coffee House in North London in the late 1950s. Len Adams used to meet 2 friends who were also car enthusiasts: John Sprinzel and George Hulbert. John raced as team Speedwell ( the name of his father's printing company) and on one of their meetings John mentioned he had a race coming up but he wasn't happy with his car, after which George looked at it and reworked the cylinder head. John won his next race after which he was interviewed in which the word Speedwell was mentioned several times. The next day Speedwell printing company received several phone calls asking where they could get their cars tuned to perform like John's had. This gave the three gentleman an idea and soon Speedwell tuning company was created. The business took off very quickly and over the next couple of years they performed hundreds of tuning jobs, took on budding racing driver Graham Hill  , and had several race wins attributed to the speedwell tuning company infact they won on 14 races out of 19 in one year. But as they say all good things come to an end and during the 1960s the men went their own ways".

WISHING A HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO THE BUGEYE SPRITE. 
Cheap and cheerful, headlights stuck up on the very heavy front, with a top that leaked onto the passengers at the slightest drop of rain. A hard-to-get-at spare wheel in a boot without a lid, an engine that overheated as no air got through the radiator dropping oil pressure to 5 lbs per sq. inch, valve bounce if you got up over 70 mph and brakes which faded on the second downhill dash.
Yet within a few days, John Anstice-Brown won the Leinster Race outright in Ireland, Doug Wilson-Spratt won a club rally in the UK and Ray Brookes, Tommy Wisdom and I took Sprites to a 1, 2 and 3 in class on the tough French Alpine Rally – the only manufacturer to finish all the cars that started.
The Sprite went on to win RAC and Autoport Championships, finish on the podium on quite a few International Rallies, and win hundreds and hundreds of races and rallies right up unto this day.
So enjoy your birthday and salute the enthusiasts who have kept them running so well over sixty years.
John Sprinzel

CONGRATS TO OLLY FRIEND who achieved success at Oulton Park at the weekend. He not only won the class but also came 9th overall in the Equipe GTS race, against MGBs, TVRs, Alfas, on a 30 car grid, and to think they only got the engine back from Swiftune on the Wednesday evening.

TREVOR McILROY recently gave 171 DKA another outing at Craiganlet Hillclimb leaving his Sebring, XXC818, in storage.

I remember one of my first races in TZA being wheel to wheel with Richard  in the Sprite/Midget race at MGCC Silverstone in 1971/2 and seeing him at extremely  close quarters drifting the Sprite around Becketts on opposite lock and Richard in an immaculate cream shirt and MGCC tie before the days of compulsory fire-proof overalls".
We send our sincere condolences to Richard's wife and family.

FROM PETE BOWER: "Just a couple of photos of my Sprite as it undergoes its evolution.  It has a new Monza bonnet after the damage at Castle Combe, The alloy doors will follow on soon but need a little re-work first.  A new lighter and more aesthetic roll (hoop) and a super light alloy race seat.  The engine has had a head re-work, a new cam and  a Weber 40.  Its showing a healthy output on its first rolling road with the promise of more to come..."

FORMULA JUNIOR 1071 CYLINDER HEAD FOR SALE
ON EBAY expires 2 May
£2,700

"some images of our first hillclimb of the year - the TSCCNI Croft Hillclimb Holywood Co Down, just outside Belfast.  Its the first round of the ANICC Championship, the next will be 5th May Craigantlet, again just on the outskirts of Belfast. 
As you probably know all hillclimbs in N.I. run on closed public roads. I will use Craigantlet as a shake down for XXC818 before heading off to St Goueno Brittney end of May".

“The cold weather has hampered the work on the moulds, but now that the worst seems to be over we are getting ahead with the first lay up of the bonnet.  It is taking longer than usual for the fibre glass to cure but we are persevering. Here is a photo of my colleague Bruce who is helping me with the project.  He is an expert in glass fibre.
We are still at the design stage with our idea on an independent rear suspension set up for the ADO but things are looking very promising.  We think we will be able to offer a simple but effective set up.  I will keep everyone up to date on the progress on both fronts.
Douglas Anderson’

Michael Karrer in Southern Germany has come across these rear quarter-lights for a DHMC Mark 2 hardtop and wonders if anyone would like to buy them. He is looking for offers.
Email him if interested.

THE ROBSON SEBRING
once again on display among the daffodils at Goodwood for the 76th Members Meeting

2018 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX ~ Melbourne, Victoria
" Just a few photos of the Healeys that ran in the Historic demonstration laps at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix on the weekend. All the cars presented to a very high level and are a credit to their owners The Sprite of Bob Blaydon was great to see and the first time I have been able to view the car and take photos it. The car is a credit to Bob and the high quality of workmanship and finish achieved in his build of which he should be justly proud. Also a couple of other larger Healeys in the same  display. Regards,  Alan Mead, Kyneton, Australia".     

50th TARGA FLORIO (1966) ON YOUTUBE
The first outing to the Targa Florio with the Sprite ~ Jack Wheeler and Martin Davidson aka 'Harry Martin' made the long road trip to Sicily to compete on ... [sent in by Christoph Klamert]

NIKOLAJ MORTENSEN HAS FOR SALE:
13" x 4½" Steel wheel rims.
" Since FIA wanted me to use 13 x 4½" steel rims on my Midget, I got these specially made. I had to order 5 sets or more, so I have some sets left. Of course Midget PCD 101.6mm, 4½ inches wide and 13 inches diameter. Look really good and very period. They have been used on my Midget for a full race season without any problems. Price for a set of 4 rims brand new - £550. Please email me for more info or if you would like a set."

TWO-SPEED WIPER MOTORS (A reply to Ken Grasing's earlier message)
"Ken, On the subject of 2 spd wiper motors, I can't imagine that the round wiper motors were very available, even in the mid-60's. They started appearing maybe as early as 69 on street cars, but the square bodied motors were available in cars such as E-type and Lotus Elans much earlier. I would guess that's what you should fit.   Roger (Sieling)"

ANDY ACTMAN'S SPARE BONNET is for sale on ebay, currently at £80. Expires 17th March

REMEMBER THIS?
The auction in which the rusted remains of PMO 200 were sold for the princelt sum of £15,000 enabling Paul Woolmer to restore the car to its former glory.

KEN GRASING: WHICH 2-SPEED WIPER MOTOR?
" I’m trying to determine what the Sebring Sprite used for a two-speed wiper motor.   I’ve seen two sets of preparation notes, attributed to John Sprinzel, and the notes from Brian Moylan’s book “Anatomy of a Works Mini”, describing changing the single-speed wiper motor for a two-speed unit.  I’m trying to figure out whether they changed to two-speed shunt-wound motor, the DR2/3 rectangular housing style, or a permanent magnet type, cylindrical housing type.  The two-speed DR2/3 type is quite expensive, relatively few were made, and most offering them want a core unit in exchange". 
Please let us know if you have the answer - via Feedback as usual

WANTED
DONOR CAR FOR SEBRING BUILDER
OR AN IDENTITY
Anybody got a basket case going cheap?

Feedback please

GARAGE CLEAROUT
If anyone living in the SE of England needs any spares please get in touch as I'm clearing my garage/workshop before our move. I have a pair of wire wheel front corners (wishbone, kingpins, stub axles, discs, hubs, spinners, calipers, etc) and a rear axle casing with splined hubs on nitrided EN40b shafts with spinners, a couple of 1275 cranks and an early 1098 one, front and rear hubs, stub axles, & masses of other smaller parts. Try me: Martin Ingall All must go in the next 2 weeks.

I see Moto-Build are now offering a Speedwell GT top as well as the Monza bonnet. The roof is not an accurate copy as it uses the Sebring windscreen. I imagine this is copied from that of the late Keith Hopwood who built his RAM 35 replica around it. Side windows?? £600 for a top. Link to ebay

Small bore block bored out and fitted with liners, 1275 stroke makes it a short stroke engine.
Special steel main caps and pockets for the valves.
1275 Crankshaft balanced with flywheel and pulley.
1275 Pulley, 1275 Flywheel lightened
Sump reinforced and with thread for oil temp sensor
Con Rods polished.
12G940 head, engine backplate, front plate, and front cover all sandblasted and coated.
Full Race 649 Camshaft, Alloy valve cover, Rocker assembly, Side covers with breathers, Water pump pulley, Fan blades reinforced.
£1200 for the lot.
Contact Nikolaj via email

FOR SALE IN DENMARK - NICOLAJ MORTENSEN'S
Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 1961.
Very good condition, 1275cc engine, refurbished gearbox ( Ribcase) New front disc brakes, new rear dampers, new dynamo, new master cylinder and much more. Very good and solid body, Royal blue with red interior in also good condition. Original and rare steering wheel, steel bonnet in mint condition,
This Healey sprite is one of the best Sprites avaliable for the price. Comes with new hood, Tonneau cover and sidescreens. Original gearbox and wheels included.
Danish V5 and Heritage certificate.
Worldwide delivery possible.
Price - £18.000
Contact Nikolaj via email

"My car is finally off the rotisserie after many hours to repair racing incidents and hasty bondo repairs.  No panels were replaced.  The underside is final painted.  The top is ready for final primer and block before paint.
Pictures attached". See also Ron Gordon Sebring.

BRAKES FOUND ON KEN GRASING'S '58 BUGEYE

The following are a few pictures of the rear brake arrangement found during our recent automotive archeology session with the 1958 Sprite:.

Rear drum brakes, exterior with bolt-on wire wheel hub.  8” x 1-1/2” drums

View from left rear, noting width of hub outboard of body line

Left: Brake Adjuster

Pedal box arrangement, LHD car.  Note large size of cutout in top of footwell box and wiper motor swapped to opposite side.  

 2 views of underside of modified pedal box,  with detail of brake pedal modifications

FRONT BRAKES
"Gentlemen,  I’ve finally had an opportunity to begin a bit of automotive archeology on the 1958 Sprite purchased in 2016.   A former race car it had been campaigned in southern California under the Mini-Tech banner, a Santa Barbara, California firm.   Following are a few photos of the front disc arrangement. More on the rear brakes and pedal box in next post. Regards, Ken Grasing"

R/F brake- caliper, disc and hub

R/F Brake – Spindle and adaptor (note ARB, behind)

R/F brake – Caliper

1.0 litre BMC A-series Short Stroke Inline

Bonneville Salt Flats record-holding engine.  Featured in MG Enthusiast magazine, February, 2015.
This engine holds the current Bonneville I/GT record in a stock bodied MG Midget with a two-run average of 122.539 MPH. Full Spec pdf

For Sale at £2250 (the crank alone would cost more!)

The You tube video of the successful run is here
(Note, 123...Mph in a standard bodied (steel) Midget with a very substantial roll cage , (725Kg estimated weight)

Contact Peter Bower by email if interested.

TREVOR McILROY'S PLANS FOR THE 2018 SEASON
"We have just had our entry confirmed for June at St Goueno France, - ferries and gite booked. We will be keeping the Sebring for the prestige events this year.   I will be contesting  the Northern Ireland Hill & Sprint championship in our Lotus 7.  The Frogeye will be driven by my sister Fel in a few events here at home. I intend to take the Sebring & Frogeye to Bo'ness Scotland in September  for the two-day hillclimb event, and we will be over for the Silverstone Classic in July". 

FROM ALISTAIR ROSS:
"This is something I have been trying to find out for some time and have quizzed Speedwellians about it. John Venner Pack thought that VP was fitted with a FIAT 5 speed box (did they exist at that time?) for its trip to the Belgium speed records. 5447 HX was fitted with FIAT engine and possibly a FIAT gearbox? certainly something went on at the gearbox end as the chassis rails were cut back to get a bigger bell housing into the space, Derek Surrey who worked at Speedwells at the time remembers this being done. I have never got to the bottom of the 5 speed box story for sure"

FROM KEN GRASING:
 "Just a quick note in response to your recent posting on 5 Speed gear boxes.   While recognition form 26, page 5, shows “No. of gearbox ratios …5” and then lists 5 ratios in the chart I believe this include reverse gear.   If you look at the ratio shown for 5th gear in the alternate ratio column you’ll see this is the reverse gear ratio for the standard frogeye gear box.  Regards, Ken"

FROM ROGER SIELING:
"In addition to my Falcon Sprite running at Nassau, there was a Formula Junior race in Dec 1961. Perhaps other years too, but my concern is w/ this race Dec 1961. I also own one of the two Lotus 20 cars entered by Team Rosebud from Texas. I am wondering if David's book shows any serial numbers of these cars since they were being shipped from the USA to the islands. Somehow, over the years, my car has lost its ID plate. The other Rosebud Lotus 20 is known, so finding numbers of both cars would be quite beneficial. I know its not Sprite related, but it is another project in my stable.     Roger" Please use Feedback if you can assist

Michael Lehre is looking for a kit for his Sprite Mk 1. If you can help please email him

The McIlroy Sebring Frogeye on display last weekend, "Where the Mountains  of Mourne sweep down to the sea" ~  Newcastle Co Down. 
In very good company with no less than four Works Mini Cooper S cars. 

SIR STIRLING MOSS RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE AT 88
A message from Stirling's son, Elliot: "To all of his many friends and fans around the world, who use his website for regular updates, my father would like to announce that he will be closing it down. Following his severe infections at the end of 2016 and his subsequent slow and arduous recovery, the decision has been made that, at the age of 88, the indefatigable man will finally retire, so that he and my mother can have some much deserved rest and spend more time with each other and the rest of the family.
The entire and extended Moss clan thank everyone for all their love and support over the years and we wish you all a happy and prosperous 2018".

2 articles from the US magazine 'CHATTER' back in 1997 are this one (left) about Roger Sieling's rebuild of the Falcon Sprite, and (below) the Speedwell Streamliner which took several speed records

The Speedwell Streamliner

AND FROM ROGER SIELING, this time on battery position and engine stabiliers: "Martin,
One other item which may assist a couple of posters on the site re: Battery relocation and engine brace. The "Motor Trend" Falcon Sprite article was documenting the December 1959 Nassau Speed weeks. There is an engine shot from behind on page 2 and it clearly shows the engine end of the engine brace. I still have the original brace which was still fitted in 1971 when I rescued the car from the farm field. Since the body height is lower than a standard Sprite, there is no room for a battery in the standard Sprite location above the gearbox. In the case of the Falcon Sprite, it was mounted in the passenger footwell. The normal battery position for a standard Sprite was filled w/ a pair of ignition coils. Only one was connected into the ignition system, the 2nd one partially wired in but carried as a quick connect spare. I have begged anyone who was a contemporary of John Christy as to what might have happened to his photo archive with no luck at all. I can't even find anyone who could tell me when he died, but I can't imagine he is still with us. I did correspond w/ John while he was alive and asked about additional photos he would have taken in preparation for the article, he told me that it was too much bother to dig them out. I do have a series of 3 photos of the Falcon during an extended pitstop at Sebring 1960. I thought I had made duplicate copies to have here in Florida, but I can't seem to find them. I do remember one of the photos is from the front w/ the bonnet open and one can see that the head is off the engine. If I could find it, I believe it would also show the engine brace and dual coils.    Regards, Roger Sieling"

"Dear Martin, I meant to say one new name as we have Leo Picard from your website. As John Colegate raced the car later on when in Picard's ownership I wondered if it was actually him driving the Falcon at Nassau however he was entered in another Sprite with a different race number 101 that weekend. Of the four races I mentioned both cars were entered in three of them the only exception being the 5-lap GT race when the only Falcon ran with Leo Picard.
I think this is maximum I can extract from the book and I think if anybody is interested "The Bahamas Speed Weeks" by Terry O'Neil may be available second hand. They sell for around £90.00 so our researcher informs me. Our copy was a donation from Alan Cameron's family to be sold for funds to support the Bugatti Trust. I have been tempted but another book... no! Best wishes, David".

David then replied: "A bit more information for you this time for 1960 and 1961. From your webpage:
"The car later returned to the US where it was raced as a 'works' entry for the 4th and final time, at Nassau, in the hands of John Colgate ~ once again winning its class. He was placed 18th in the Governors Trophy and 20th in the Nassau Trophy. After the race, in December 1960, the Healeys sold the car, in the States, to Leo Picard who subsequently had John Colgate race it for him at Thompson Raceway. Other local owners included Jake Kaplin and Bernie Symonds in Rhode Island and Kit Kettering in Brockton Massachussetts, before passing into the hands of Tom Bratten who ran a firm called Auto Technia in West Palm Beach Florida. The business went broke and Tom returned to Dayton Ohio and his engineering job with GM Delco. Tom's son believes the Sprite was sold to buy his mother's wedding ring and that person is probably responsible for the car's eventual abandonment in an Ohio farm field. This all had to have happened in the period of 1961-1965, since the car still had its GM class markings from racing during the period before SCCA changed the class to DSR".
My information from the book:
"The 25 lap Governor's Trophy race was held on the 3rd December and as mentioned in your blurb above finished 18th overall but again it achieved 1st in class G. For the 54 lap Nassau Trophy race, 4th December the car finished 20th overall and was 1st in class G again. Interestingly 1961 brings up a few results and names I haven't seen before. In the 5 lap GT cars under 1500cc heat on the 3rd December the car was placed 5th overall and 5th in class G. The picture attached shows the car driven by L. Picard and the distinctive bonnet hump and screen plus the race number 57 are clear to see on the grid. Then in the 21 lap Nassau Trophy race on the 3rd December the car was placed 18th overall and 8 in class G. Again driven by L. Picard. The car was out with L. Picard for the 23 lap Governor's Trophy race on the 8th December and was classified 38th but not running at the finish having retired on lap 7. The 56 lap Nassau Trophy race on the 10th December was contested the car finishing 23rd overall and 3rd in class G. On this occasion the driver listed is F. Darling.
Looking at the results sheets the cars appear to have worn the same racing number for the entire duration of the Speed Week so we have two new names Mr. Picard and Mr. Darling. Best Wishes, David"

Robert Visser's restroration of ex-works rally car XOH 276 is now complete.

"Thank you for Chris Clegg's and John Hopwood's pronouncements. I think they are correct when they says the car was competing as a GTP in the period so there was a lot of freedom with modifications. But I have found an article about Sebring Sprite S-221 in Autocar, dated 25. August 1961, with a photo from the engine bay and in the text there is commented that: “The battery shifted from under the bonnet to a position just forward of the rear axle”.Anyway, I do not want to argue with FIA about this and will relocate the battery and remove the engine stabiliser bar. Best regards, Kai"

"As you may know, I have not renewed S221's 2008 HTP papers since the introduction of the new regime a few years ago, and so they may not be representative of the FiA's current thinking. Also, those papers classify the car as a GTP !, not a GTS car. That said, S221 has an engine stabiliser bar attached to the rear nearside of the cylinder block and the battery has always been located under the rear decking in front of the axle. I have never seen a period photo of S221's battery box and I can't find a good photo of S221's engine bay in period, but there is a photo in Spritely Years on page 157 of what I believe is S221's engine bay in 1960, but the supercharger blow-off valve obscures the position at the rear of the engine where the stabiliser bar would have been mounted. This photo does, however, show that no battery was positioned in front of the bulkhead, so presumably it had been relocated to its current position in the rear of the car. 
I think that Jonathan W-B might be able to help you more, because when he wrote a series of articles in Revcounter in 1997 on his restoration of 410 EAO, he included a photo of his car's engine bay in 1961 which clearly shows a stabiliser bar.The photo was on page 7 of the July 1997 Revcounter, but I have only a poor photocopy of the article. I expect that Jonathan will have the original which should scan OK. I hope all this is helpful and do please pass it on to Kai Eriksen and wish him the best of luck from me". [I have forwarded a copy of this to Jonathan for his observations. MEI]

FROM JOHN HOPWOOD:
" I presume the application is for a GTS (competition Grand Touring car) which is what I have as would any Frogeye prepared to homologation 47. There was nothing in the period rules that permitted the battery to be moved from it’s original location and Appendix K App VIII say it must remain where it was unless it was in the passenger compartment in which case, for safety reasons, it may be moved (see below) . Anything like a stabiliser bar would have to standard or a homologated option. I fitted a stabiliser bar when I first built the car for Austin Healey Club races and then removed it when I changed the car to full Sebring homologation 47 specification and with the 1000 engine couldn’t tell the difference! We kid ourselves sometime that things work! If that is all he got pulled up on I would say that he has a very correct car and he should change it the two things, both very easy. The weight saving by moving the battery back and throwing away a fair bit of battery cable will help! The only cases in period when modifications not permitted in Appendix J of the period were done was when the cars were competing as either a GT Prototype or a  “Sports Car” ( Period Appendix J Group 4, same category as D Type Jaguars etc, Sports Racing Cars !), such as Sebring 1959, when amongst other things brakes were different to anything ever homologated. Sebring accepted manufacturer’s Prototype GT cars and Healey took full advantage of the rules. If he can show that a Sprite competed in period with the battery in the boot and the steady bar then he could get approval in GTP category but that is not as useful as GTS. He should avoid anything from 1962, that would put him in the later period and photos from out of period are treated with much suspicion!"

A QUESTION FROM KAI ERIKSEN ABOUT FIA HTPapers:
"Last season I raced my S-221 a lot (4 weekends, 8 races) in Sweden, where there are some more Spridgets in the class. And I finished all of the races with respectable results. Now, in 2018, I have to renew my FIA HTP papers. I have sent FIA the new application form and they have replied that: (i) the battery must be in the original position in the engine
compartment, and asking (ii) Is there evidence for the use in period of the engine stabiliser bar?
I have the battery inside, at the rear, in front of the rear axle like the originals: S-221, 410EAO and WJB707.
The battery box is clearly to be seen in photos from their restorations. I also have a photo where an engine stabiliser bar is mounted in the engine compartment of S-221, dated 2005 in Archers Garage. Is it possible to prove that the alternative battery position and an engine stabiliser bar were used in 1961 – 1962? Maybe you or Jonathan W-B have some old photos where it could be seen? Otherwise I have to move the battery to the original position and remove the engine stabiliser bar. Best regards Kai Roger Eriksen Oslo, Norway".

NASSAU SPEED WEEK IN THE BAHAMAS ~ 1960s
David Morys says: "I was looking through a book we have at work the subject of which is the Bahama Speed week over the years.The first entry of interest was the 1962 event and there is a picture of the Mk 2 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite (reg. 9253 WD) driven by John Colgate in the 56 Lap Nassau Trophy race on the 9th December. The race number was 42 and there is an abbreviation in the last column Nraf L20. I guess that it means Not running at finish and the L20 may be retired on Lap 20. I have attached a picture (right) that is attributed thus (J. Owen. Terry O'Neill collection). Is the latter the guy associated with the MG Car Club?
The second picture is 1966 but this is an Austin-Healey Sprite works prototype driven by Ray Cuomo [DAC 952C] in the Nassau Trophy Race to 19th place overall and 1st in class 7. The photo attribution on this picture, also attached is the same as for the previous picture."

Douglas Anderson announces:
ADO 34/50 is to be launched in 2018
He is now at the stage of taking moulds from the buck and hopes to trial fit them to the tub early in the New Year.  Then he will be sorting out the details e.g. side windows, windscreen etc. 

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2018 ~ MARKING 60 YEARS OF THE SPRITE