MORE ON ATE BRAKE CALLIPERS

I received a message from John Hopwood, eligibility scrutineer today which goes as follows:
" Hi Martin, As you know the ATE calliper as fitted to various Vauxhalls & Opels has become as rare as the proverbial. The FIA  are working on a widened dispensation that includes other very similar ATE callipers from other makes and models, straight replacement for the Vauxhall calliper and no advantage or disadvantage. Will forward you the regulation when approved. Kind regards John"
I will post further information as soon as I receive it.

DIFFERENT TOP TRUNNIONS

Since first mention of these back in November 2019 Simon Hutchinson has learned more about those trunnions: Apparently they were remanufactured from an original design by Alan Woode. "I read about him setting up Woodpecker Racing Improvements. I think I have more than adequate for my future needs so would sell some pairs on if anyone is interested. Not sure how much for though. Howard said they altered the geometry, with the pivot moved a reasonable distance up away from the top of the kingpin, and for very little static negative camber it induced more as the car rolled and kept the wheel nearer the upright. My racer has about 2.5 degs which I think compromises straight line braking in the wet especially".
If you would like a pair please let me know via Feedback

MIKE WOOD HAS BEEN TRACKING DOWN A 9-SPRING CLUTCH FOR HIS 948CC ENGINE, AS WAS THE USUAL UPGRADE FROM THE STANDARD 6-SPRING ONE, BACK IN THE DAY.

Pictured right is a new old- stock Spitfire Mk1 clutch cover, Quinton Hazel Q51007/16

and here (right) is the new clutch kit for Hillman Imp MkII, Borg & Beck HK5708 (cover [HE3354], plate [HB9721] and release bearing)

and here are: Quinton Hazel new old stock, Spitfire Mk1 (left) and new Borg & Beck (right) Hillman Imp MkII

These 6¼" clutch covers are all a direct replacement for the original 6-spring cover.

HILL-CLIMB SPEEDWELL GT REPLICA (SEBRING FASTBACK WITH MONZA BONNET) FOR SALE

Peter Fletcher's Speedwell comes with a standard 1340 bottom end with a gas flowed head on HS4s and 3-branch manifold on stainless exhaust system. It has a straight-cut gearbox from Hardy Engineering and 4.55 diff. The suspension is standard but lowered. There are a few negotiable spares. Offers sought in region of £25,000
Contact Peter by email or on 07742 220083 or 01723 360244

The nose and GT Fiberglass rear section is from Archers Garage purchased in 2008 and completed by the owner in the Netherlands. Jeff took the car back to the US in early 2020 and has been bringing it up to US vintage racing specs since then. He has also made the rear window detachable for easy access to the boot area.

NEWS FROM ALEXANDER SCHMITT
IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

Hello Martin, I hope you are doing well besides the whole Covid situation. First of all, I want to thank you for all your effort on the Sebring Sprite Website. It is really nice to have such a platform for those special cars. The reason for my E-Mail is that I wanted to introduce you to the project of my Dad (Jochen Schmitt) and myself. In 2018 we acquired one of the three aluminum fastbacks (similar to the Fastback of RTL304, so a copy of the Peel Fastbacks) from Marcus Fellows which have been made by Brian Wheeler. As Sven Eckhardt is a good friend of ours, we restored with his help an old Mk1 bodyshell on his jig. Therefore, we did several trips from Hamburg to Sven's place in Rosenheim. A huge thank you to Sven again for all his help!!!! On our last trip, besides working on the car, we visited the Oldtimer Galerie Rosenau with Sven, our friend Franz Josef and three of Sven`s Cars. We had a look at WJB 707, the Speedwell GT 585MY (see photos left) and had a nice and interesting chat with the owner Günther Lainer. I want to point out that both cars are indeed very nice, and I want to thank Günther Lainer for his warm welcome and the interesting visit. On the same visit at Sven`s place we finished the work on the chassis and the fitment of the roll cage. We have got the chassis epoxy primed and sealed already. At the moment we are working on a solution to get rid of some cracks in the aluminum fastback. The next steps will be that the underneath of the chassis and the inside of the fastback will be painted and afterwards the fastback will be rivetted on to the chassis. Furthermore, we will be finalizing the fitment of the bonnet and then the outside will be painted. Our plan with the car is to build a track car with all the correct parts to gain the necessary FIA Papers to go racing in Europe. I started some days ago to fill out the application. I have already collected several questions as the application is somewhat complicated. If you have some tips regarding the application or if you know a guy who could help, I would be more than happy. I am especially interested in any advice whether to apply for Period E or F as the Peel Fastback was firstly introduced in 1962 but in period everything had to be as homologated except the bodywork. Therefore, a scan or copy of the HTP Papers/Application Form of 184FGJ would be very interesting for us or maybe some help of an FIA HTP expert. Please find attached some photos of the build process. We will inform you about the development of the Project. Greetings from Hamburg.
Alexander Schmitt

SVEN ECKHARDT MAKES PROGRESS ON TWO ALUMINIUM FASTBACK SEBRING SPRITES

"Our fastback is coming along as well as Jochen Schmitt's (see above). When we were over last August we paid Paddy Greenwood a visit. For one we checked the fit of my sidescreens to his car - it was so good he took them on the spot but I think I've told you about it already. He also expressed the need for another set of Vauxhall Carlton brakes. I did have a set of brackets suitable for Spridget hubs with me but he wanted a full set-up for Girling-hubs. When I got home to take stock l realised that my supply of bits had somewhat dwindled. I had only brackets with the offset suitable for Spridget hubs left. I had 4 machined Spitfire brake discs. I had a pair of reconditioned /new ATE calipers and a pair of second hand ones. Two sets of brake pads to complete the set-up. Getting new brackets made took until Christmas and I put the set together for Paddy which he has received today. I have been searching for Vauxhall calipers for the last fortnight and there are no new left hand units to be had and prices have climbed. I have bought a set and two second hand left hand units to refurbish. I have also bought one new right hand unit and I am going to order another one. It certainly looks like supplies may be drying up. During my search I stumbled across a remark that Mercedes W116 calipers fitted to the Opel Senator B which has the same calipers as the Carlton/Omega A. I had a look at them: 38mm pistons, same pattern pads similar casting, a bit meatier and longer from what I could make out on the pictures hole pattern and offset at least very close - with a bit of luck identical. Loads of them about and half the price of the Vauxhall units. Will they fit? Will they clear? The answer is yes and yes. I bought one. Everything fits. They clear the wheel hub and rim of both the 4 and 5 inch wire wheels. The pads are the same as the Vauxhall. Actually they look a bit more like the (Girling) Type 10 caliper.
Would the FIA accept them? I have contacted John Hopwood (Eligibility Scrutineer) and he suggested to apply via the German equivalalent to the ASN the DMSB for approval by th FIA which I have done". Sven Eckhardt.

P.S. Mercedes/Omega part numbers are 1234200583 and1234200683 for left and right respectively

ALTERNATIVE CALIPERS AS SUBSTITUTES FOR THE OBSOLETE GIRLING TYPE 10 REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH FIA REGS

Girling Type 10 castings

Mercedes caliper fits well

Mercedes/Omega caliper

ATE and Merc units

The Merc caliper compared with the ATE one

Merc/Omega caliper

More comparison shots

Comparing Merc with Girling

FEEDBACK FOR RICHARD ROOKS SPEEDWELL GT ALBUM
"Hello Richard (Rooks) Great effort and lots of info. You might be aware that I am the current keeper of 7140 RO after Brian Kenyan passed away 4 or 5 years ago. It appears that he had dismantled the car and after his death the chassis with suspension bits and pieces and a 1098 engine were sold to Tony Shirtcliffe while  the Speedwell body parts went to my good friend Bill McDonough. My involvement with the project of resurrecting 7140 RO started with me agreeing to build a new chassis for the body parts that Bill had. I had already commenced sourcing parts etc when I was asked if I was interested to take over the project which I eagerly did.The body parts were collected from the McDonough's a few days before Christmas 2019 together with a lot of information and pictures and some bits. By early February of 2020 I had put together a chassis. Parallel to this I have dug into the convoluted history of the the car and looked at the available information. Suffice to say that I have been convinced that the Shirtcliffe chassis is genuine. I therefore acquired that too and it has been moved to Germany. The plan is a sympathetic restoration over the next couple of years to the former race specs and a preservation for the future. Sven Eckhardt".

Richard Rooks has compiled this comprehensive album of Speedwell GTs and would welcome any updates as to current ownerships and locations of these rare cars. Feedback please and enjoy.

KEN GRASING very kindly sent me a copy of the AHC of America's 2021 calendar which includes this great photo of 3 of his 4 Sprites. Neil Anderson also sent me a copy of the picture. Thanks to you both.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CARS OF 2 FRENCH WEBSITES
Pierre Lequeux has kindly translated the content to facilitate your enjoyment of them.
Click here or for the originals here and here

1 x Healey Magnesium Racing Wheel - as fitted to the Sebring Sprite -No Reserve!
on ebay currently at £50 [SOLD £215]

Woodrim Steering Wheel

Sorry, you are too late for this one. It fetched £876 on ebay !!

Any takers for carbon-fibre copies of Speedwell door handles?

Jake Wootton works alongside Andrew Forster and has created these replica door handles for Sprites. Based on the old Speedwell pattern they still need the 45 degree operating bracket to finish them off, which is in the process. He is keen to 'test the water' and asks who might be interested in buying a pair before proceeding with costly tooling up.
They are 70g lighter than the original, but they look a little different and are going to be cheaper than the ali ones.
If you would be interested please let me know via Feedback [2 replies to date duly forwarded]

1962 Austin Healey Sebring Sprite Replica For Sale

Barry McCann is reluctantly offering his part finished Sebring Coupe for sale on ebay.
He describes it as:
"Flawless Austin Healey Sebring Sprite Replica Shell on original 1962 donor car with roll cage fitted. All work professionally completed by Brian Archer and Andrew Forster with bills to prove. All parts boxed to complete inc Original 948 engine and many spares. Only part missing are the side screens which can be manufactured via Martin Ingall Sebring website. Please come and see the car - you will want it if you see it. On a SORN for years - someone else needs to finish it... get yourself a great project for the new year. Any questions let me know. Thanks Barry"
NOW SOLD (16 Dec)
By the way new sidescreens are now available. Current bid is £8,000

Article courtesy of "Healey Marque"

LATEST NEWS ON EX-WORKS SPRITES

My good friend Neil Anderson in Chicago recently turned up a 2009 Healey Marque article about HAN8-R-202 which was then owned by Jeff Brenner who was claiming it to be the 1966 Sebring race car No.67 which won its class. Its strange that at the same time Tom Cotter owned the 'real' Sebring car HNX 455D not far away in North Carolina but thought it had originally been lime green, confusing it with the '65 Le Mans cars. Nevertheless the article makes interesting reading and HNX 455D is currently up for sale in Germany. for a cool £219,000! What a pity the car continues to display No.49, its LM number, though by that time it was painted red.

A big thank you to Neil Anderson, Dave Matthews, Pete Taylor and Mike Wood for their valuable contributions this month.