News ~ 2022
News ~ August 2022 |
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Manor Park Classics of Runcorn, Cheshire
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News ~ July 2022 |
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MIKE DODMAN'S SPRITE ARCHIVE |
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The late Mike Garton, Austin Healey Le Mans Sprite, Brands Hatch 20/6/1965. |
David Wylie ~ Very enthusiastic at the (very wet) Chateau Impney hill-climb 12/7/2015. |
James Thacker, Chateau Impney hill-climb, 12/7/15. |
NMY 208 in the hands of Adam Key, spinning at Mallory Park on 29/3/15. |
An enthusiastic David Wylie (1293 Speedwell Sprite. Shelsley 21/8/2011) coming though the left-hander Bottom Ess with the tail stepping out nicely! |
580 ENN driven byPat Cooper, 1275 A-H Sprite. Shelsley 4/5/2014 |
James Thacker, brake lockup coming into the “roundabout.” Chateau Impney 12/7/15. |
David Wylie - Chateau Impney 12/7/15, braking hard into the “roundabout.” |
Another of 580 ENN. |
994 DTA (Richard Pugh) and YON 455 (Allan Cameron) parked at Prescott 24/5/08 |
505 BZ - Toby Moody driving, at Shelsley 9/9/07. |
505BZ - a lovely high rear view of David Wylie - Shelsley 9/9/07, powering through the Top Ess right-hander. |
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The late Allan Cameron, Prescott 24/5/08 (shown in prog. as a 998 engine.) |
204 XUM - |
MEG 199. Gordon Elwell, Curborough 12/7/1970. |
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ABINGDON WORKS MOTORSPORT GATHERING AT GAYDON ON 10TH JULY, 2022JAMES THACKER has kindly supplied the following:
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Sebring Sprite Fastback 5116 HN (Archers Replica no.47) |
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FROM TREVOR McILROY IN NORTHERN IRELAND"I have just purchased 317AOV number 27 of the Archers cars, previously owned by George Wilkin. George has now passed away. I was advised by Mrs Wilkin he purchased the car from Bill Postin because he liked the look of it. George only drove the car up & down his farm lane a few time over the years. It spent virtually all of its time stored in a shed within one of his garages. The car was in remarkably good condition for being stored for almost twelve years. After some light refurbishment I competed in the 500 MRCI event at Kirkistown Co Down this weekend & managed second in the Historic class in the Sebring. |
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XXC818 at Cairncastle hillclimb June 2022 (above). |
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317AOV at Kirkistown sprint July 2022 (above). |
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News ~ May 2022 |
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REAR HUB NUTSMark Straker is replacing his Sebring's rear hubs and the new ones from Orson Equipment come with a chamfered hole while his old ones were flat, using a K-nut (left). Brian Archer supplied me with Nylocs which he had put the correct chamfer on. They tended to work loose and he then got some aircraft quality ones (right) for me. We are wondering what others are using on your Sebrings? Feedback please. |
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KEN GRASING ASKS re: SPARK PLUG HOLDERS "Do you, or your readers, have a photo of the spare spark plug holder John Sprinzel used on the rally cars. Something I read, possibly in Modified Motoring”, makes me thing the spark plug holder was of John’s own design". |
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Mitchell Rogers has 2 sets of rear shock absorbers for sale |
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A set of adjustable Rae Davis racing shocks hardly used and in good condition. £500 pair |
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And a pair of Armstrong Adjustable 21s again in good condition at £500 the pair. Contact Mitch via email |
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TONY BOLTON'S PROGRESS"Sprite tub is now complete, home for running gear and engine re-fit before the body is bonded and final fit". |
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“ Graeme Williams is selling his Sebring Rep NSU368 (no. 17 on my replica list). Built as a fast road car by Mike Sutton using a 1310 cc Peter May engine, it was fully trimmed by the next owner and the noisy straight cut gearbox replaced with a 5-speed. Graeme can be contacted by email if interested ” |
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1962 Sebring Sprite 9137 WD
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ONE OF ROGER BYFORD'S 2 SEBRING SPRITES FOR SALE"in excellent condition throughout, superb rust free body structure. 1275cc with a 5 speed gearbox makes this a really good fun and fast useable car, diff is slightly noisy on car. It has disc brakes on front, adjustable rear shocks, Knock on KN alloy minilite style wheels, stainless steel exhaust. The trim is excellent, some holes drilled in the dash where it had a halda fitted once, a few very minor chips to paintwork. In 2018 car was at Fisher services for service, new brakes front and rear, king pins, etc. and hardly any mileage since. Although tax and mot exempt car will have a fresh mot. This really is a very nice car which also drives very well, it would be a lovely addition to someone's garage". £17,995 Contact Robsport for more details. |
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Belated CONGRATULATIONS to Charles Rainford on his superb win in the Weslake Cup at Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting which took place last month.For a full report and photos from the event go to Weslake Cup 2022 |
News ~ April 2022 |
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STEVE EVERITT MEMORIAL RACE AT BRANDS HATCH on 20 March was won by No.68, Richard Bridge (Photos: John Baggott) |
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Class A Midgets: - 6. Martin Morris; 20, Michael Chalk; 63. Stephen Watkins; 68. Richard Bridge; 74. Paul Bernal-Ryan; 77. Paul Sibley. Steve Watkins was winner of Race 2. Steve Everitt's old friend Graham Marchant presented the trophy. |
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LATE NEWSTONY WILSON-SPRATT tells me that with just 5 days to go before the event Goodwood decided to invite the WSMs so "WSM202, WSM208 and WSM401 with Paul Woolmer, Jack Willmott and Ian Hulett respectively are on the grid. The notice is too short to include BXN which was the star last time out on Weslake grid with Richard Woolmer". |
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FINAL TEST DAY on 28 March included Julian Ellison in HNX 455D and Dave Burnett in the Ogle GT. (Photos: John Baggott |
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CORRECTION - GOODWOOD:Jake Stubbings tells me that "Qualifying will start 11:40 am on Saturday and the race will be at 9:25 am on Sunday". |
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GOODWOOD 79TH MEMBERS MEETING APRIL 9/10
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News ~ March 2022 |
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WARWICK DHMC Mark 2 HARDTOP FOR SALE ON EBAYCurrently at £768 with 2 days to go, expires 4th April |
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7140 RO - SPEEDWELL GT
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VINTAGE CASTROL OIL CABINET FOR SALEDavid A Rawsthorn says "I have a vintage Castrol oil cabinet looking for a good home. It measures about 3ft 6 long X 1ft 6 deep X 4ft 8 high. The pic I have attached is NOT of my cabinet, but one of a very similar one on eBay. The cabinet is located in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire 2 miles off the M11 motorway. The house has been sold and the cabinet has to go. Sadly I do not have space in my new property for it". |
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WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD SEBRING GT2 FOR SALE AT £20,000 |
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Currently being offered for sale on ebay by Nik Aveyard
NOW SOLD (30 March 2022) |
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An update on JAX 12 from Paul Rogers, March 2022: |
News ~ February 2022 |
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NEW GIRLING SPLINED HUBS FOR SEBRING SPRITE?An order has now been placed with Orson Equipment to manufacture a new batch of these hubs, If anyone else is interested please let me know without delay using Feedback |
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5435 WD RETURNS FROM CANADA TO THE UKMark Straker (son of Tony, who owned this car from 1969 to 1976) has brought the car home and it currently awaits bringing it back to full roadworthiness. |
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1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE
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SEBRING BONNET MOULD FOR SALEon ebay currently at £0.99 expires 11th Febto be collected Botley, Oxfordshire |
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79th GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING - 9th & 10th APRIL 2022
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ABINGDON WORKS MOTORSPORT CELEBRATION - 10 JULY 2022DAVID SCOTHORN WRITES: "The Abingdon Works Motorsport Celebration seems to be attracting entries to BMC/BL Day at Gaydon from some prominent Sebring Sprite members and original cars.
Although not 'made in Abingdon Comps Dept', it is very encouraging they want to come to this part of the event, and I will be happy to find them an area to display.
Here is a bit of background: |
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Tony Bolton has sent me these up to date pictures of 517 UYO, his new Fastback Sebring. He says: |
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A FEW MORE OF MICHAEL TOUGH'S ITEMS FOR SALE ON EBAY |
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Lucas L549 NOS Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MGA SebringAsking £35 on ebay expires 4 Feb |
Another Lucas L549 NOS Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite MGA SebringAsking £35 on ebay expires 4 Feb |
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Enots Aston Style Fuel Filler NOS genuine Sebring Sprite MiniAsking £45 on ebay, expires 6 Feb |
Girling Master Cylinders NOS 3/4 5/8 Sebring Sprite ReplicaAsking Price £40 on ebay expires 4 Feb |
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Enots Aston Style Fuel Filler NOS genuine Sebring Sprite MiniAsking price £25, on ebay expires 4 Feb |
Lucas 700 Headlamps NOS Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite etcAsking price £75 on ebay expires 4 Feb |
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Lucas Voltage Regulator NOS 12v Austin Healey Frogeye SpriteAsking price £30 on ebay expires 4 Feb |
News ~ January 2022 |
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In reply to Andrew Quine's query: |
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FITTING SEBRING SIDE WINDOWSAndrew Quine recently obtained a new pair of side-screens to fit to his unfinished Sebring Rep. He asked me for advice as the mounting brackets came un-welded (see photo upper left). I provided some photos from my 28 year old car but am wondering if others who have tackled this more recently might like to add their own experiences. Also of interest is what door/side window trim to use (see bottom left). Feedback please. |
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ROGER FRIEND HAS NOW SOLD HIS FROGEYE"Have sold the Sprite to Japan, sad to see her go, had some great fun and race results , thanks for all your help over the years , Now concentrating on the Le Mans Triumph Spitfire. Kind regards Roger" |
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MICHAEL TOUGH'S SEBRING PARTSMichael tells me he has now sold the Sebring top and screens, leaving him with the Sebring bonnet (asking price £400) and the fibreglass Frogeye rear end (asking price £250). These are now SOLD. He is also offering various NOS and Girling parts for sale on ebay. |
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ALLOY BODIED SEBRING COUPE REPLICA FETCHES $42,250 (£31,700) IN ONLINE AUCTION4646 UE has sold (26th Jan) after being auctioned on bringatrailer.com (see lower down this page) |
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NEW GIRLING SPLINED HUBS FOR SEBRING SPRITE?Dave Wood of Orson Equipment is considering making a further batch of front or rear hubs to the original specification should there be sufficient demand. Please let me know if you would like to be added to a list of potential purchasers, via Feedback. |
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FOR THOSE WANTING A VERY ORIGINAL SEBRINGi.e. with aluminium top and possibly rear panels try Darren Welch at Creative Classics |
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Due to a change of plan Michael Tough is offering the following new Sebring parts for sale:"Archers/Aldon Automotive - Sebring coupe top, Sebring bonnet, frogeye rear end, laminated front screen, rear screen, and fitting kit/window seals, bonnet brackets etc £1750 TOP SOLD - see later ad |
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Pete Shepherd informs me that his ex-Halls Garage Tifosi Sebring is now running a 1293cc engine, Weber 45, and will soon have a full race cam. The suspension has also undergone a full overhaul, Neg camber kit, adjustable shocks and stiffer springs etc. The body has also had a bit of a face-lift with white bib added on the nose. |
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RON GORDON'S RACING BUGEYE"I have not made the progress on my Sprite as hoped for. With you connecting me to PowerTrack I was able to finish the hydraulic brake components. I recently received the license plate back from being restored by Tippers on your side of the pond. Front suspension, fuel system and engine assembly are remaining". |
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4646 UE is for sale in the USAKen Grasing and Ron Gordon have both tipped me off that this alloy-bodied Coupe is on the market through bringatrailer.com |
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Also still for sale is the ex-Ian Ashfield Fastback Sebring (Rep) at £28,950 through Car & Classic |
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WANTEDMike Authers is in need of a RH Girling Sebring front splined hub |
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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. |
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SVEN'S PROGRESS |
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Our good friend in Germany, Sven Eckhardt continues to be busy (when not in the operating theatre). He tells me: |
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SOME CLOSE-UPS OF KEN GRASING'S DEMISTER FOR WHICH HE IS LOOKING FOR (6) NEW SUCTION CUPSThey look to be about 1½" (40mm) diameter and ½"
(12mm) deep" and are for the Lucas WH1/WH2 demisters. |
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79th GOODWOOD MEMBERS MEETING ~ WESLAKE CUPDing 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? |
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MIKE WOOD's MARK 2"I am making very slow progress on getting my Mk2 Sprite back on the road, some pics and comments." |
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JONATHAN WHITEHOUSE-BIRD CLARIFIERS XSP NUMBERS |
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STAR SPRITE BONNETSDave Matthews writes: "One I haven't heard of before!" |
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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
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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". |
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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 ". |
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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.) |
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ANDY CLARKE SEEKS HELP IN RESEARCHING HIS SPRITE'S U.S. RACING HISTORY |
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"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. |
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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 |
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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. |