Sebring Sprite Latest News

News ~ January 2022



	WJB 707 ( the ex-Ian Walker Sprinzel Sebring Sprite is for sale on Classic Trader at £116,305



	WANTED Mike Authers is in need of a RH Girling Sebring front splined hub "Second hand is fine. Or swap for a LH one as I have two". Email Mike Authers if you can assist.

JOHN BAGGOTT has reminded me that the story of the Star Sprite bonnet is included in his book "Frogeye Sprite ~ the Complete Story" on pages 86 to 89.

SVEN'S PROGRESS
Our good friend in Germany, Sven Eckhardt continues to be busy (when not in the operating theatre). He tells me: "I have done a bit on RO - fitted a cage. But no progress last couple of months. Been busy finishing the Fastback. Only needs putting the bonnet on and starting up after all the fluids have been put into the correct orifices. Engine Swap in the Sebring ~ 72 brake out of a 1060 feels naughty. Sounds serious too A respray of the Blue Frogeye is being done at the moment Put an application in for the Weslake Cup for 4444 DA at the Members Meeting. And yes there has been the odd operation!"


SOME CLOSE-UPS OF KEN GRASING'S DEMISTER FOR WHICH HE IS LOOKING FOR (6) NEW SUCTION CUPS They look to be about 1½" (40mm) diameter and ½" (12mm) deep" and are for the Lucas WH1/WH2 demisters. Any suggestions please contact me via Feedback Ken tells me: "(The) cars are safely garaged away for winter and (I am) mostly working on components; either sourcing, repair and/or modifications. These include: Trafalgar windscreen washer system, two speed Lucas DR-2 wipers, SCCR smoothcase gearbox, Lucas C-40 generators, Westin-Speedwell tach, cold drawn seamless tube for ROPS and FIA approved seats for alloy-bodied coupe. I’m also looking for Universal Lamination hardtop for early, nine-stud, windscreen Sprite".

79th GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING ~ WESLAKE CUP Ding Boston tells me that O.U.M.F have been invited to compete with their newly completed Sebring Coupe in the Weslake Cup on 9th-10th April 2022. I also learn that Sven Eckhardt is entering 4444 DA for the race. Will there be other Sprites in that event?

	MIKE WOOD's MARK 2 "I am making very slow progress on getting my Mk2 Sprite back on the road, some pics and comments."

	JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE-BIRD CLARIFIERS XSP NUMBERS "Ron White's unit (left): XSP 1862 - 4S63, a 1,098 c.c. motor, that I believe was originally fitted to Healey's 1963 Le Mans Sprite entry - 58 FAC. Will Corry's unit: XSP 1862 - 2 (right), again a 1,098 c.c. motor, that was, I believe, fitted to 1411 WD when it competed in the 1962 Sebring 12 Hr race". See Tim Partington's comment at the beginning of this month (below).

STAR SPRITE BONNETS Dave Matthews writes: "One I haven't heard of before!" Take a look at 142 FBH and a few photos below from my collection (right):




	Mike Wood says: "This looks like a promising Wheeler and Davis shell for someone who wants to make a Sebring Sprite replica a using a semi-elliptic donor": Wheeler & Davies Stage 1 Bodyshell New & Unused For Sale on Ebay - current bid £2,750 Expires 11th January 2022


I heard from Lex Veen who edits the Healey magazine in the Netherlands: "I found some pictures of a -in my opinion- very handsome nose-job of a Sprite and wonder if you happen to know this one. Looks Japanese". I was able to tell him that the design came from D & A Shells of London and later was made by Fibresports. Sadly after a fire destroyed their moulds there were no more bonnets to this design. Jonathan Peck in Scotland acquired one (which had been fitted to PMO) some years ago which had wide wheel arches and he has produced a mould from that.

A REVIEW FROM JAMES THACKER "Not sure if you have heard that Alec Poole has just published a book about his life in motorsport with the title " A Life by the Poole" . I heard about it a little while ago from Martin Ingall who set up and runs the excellent Sebring Sprite [latest news] website and I wrote it on a wish list on the back of an envelope with, I admit, quite low expectations of it being a very memorable piece of literature. I thought I should read it having owned TZA, the car that Alec made his name in, since August 1970.. Unknown to me Matty spotted my list I had left around in the kitchen and she very kindly gave me a copy for Christmas and my first impression is that it is going to be very interesting and amusing. Definitely not a typical motor racing book of chronological facts and statistics but although it is time order it is crammed with anecdotes about people and amusing incidents during his long time in motor sport. The list of racing/rallying people in the 60's 70's and 80's etc is like a who's who; Clark Moss, Vatanan, Hopkirk , John Watson , Bernie E. Eddie Jordan, Gordon Spice, Dave Brodie, Tom Walkinshaw and very many others but also people from other spheres ranging from Jimmy Greaves, Peter Sellers/Britt Eckland,, Billy Connolly, Charles Haughey, Dolly Parton, Nelson Mandela to name but a few. Lots of photos that I have never seen before too. I am definitely not on commission but thought I would mention it to you ".

	Bryn Rossiter mentioned to me ALEC POOLE'S BOOK: ‘A Life by the Poole’ was published on 11 December 2021 and can be obtained from the website ‘alifebythepoole.com’ for £19.95, plus postage. Sales to the EU & Rest of the World to follow in February 2022. (Part of the proceeds will go to Katharine House Hospice, Banbury, Oxfordshire.) " Unsurprisingly in this age of political correctness, I had difficulty in finding a publisher either willing or brave enough to take on the task! But thanks to help from mates along the way, ‘A Life by the Poole’ has made it into print – hopefully for your enjoyment".

		ANDY CLARKE SEEKS HELP IN RESEARCHING HIS SPRITE'S U.S. RACING HISTORY
"Hi Martin - I'm trying to research any history I can on My Mk1 Sprite which I've restored over many years, It came back to UK from USA in the early 80's. It had some clear evidence of use on track, - things like jacked suspension on one side, oversize wheels and studs, racing slicks, sponsor stickers etc . One of the most notable items is the bonnet which shows signs of having (had) full fairings over the headlamps back to therear edge of the bonnet, see photo attached, I wondered if you have seen anything similar in the photos you have seen?? Feedback if you can help please.

KEN GRASING SEEKS SUCTION CUPS FOR LUCAS WH1/WH2 WINDSCREEN DEFROSTERS He has three of them and all are in need of re-work. If you can help please get back to me via Feedback

CONFUSION OVER XSP ENGINE NUMBERS? Tim Partington recently pointed out to me that the XSP engine which the guys from CAR SOS tried to purchase from Ronnie White in Northern Ireland had the number XSP 1862-2 which is the same number I had recorded for the Sprite Mark 2 registered 510 DWD now, I believe, owned by Will Corry. I have not so far been able to contact either of them to be able to check this out.