LENHAM LE MANS PROJECT
for sale on ebay
a classified ad, at £3,900 LINK
Phil Zamlynski is making progress toward completion of his Sebring Coupe Replica
WJB 707
Karl Dimmock tells me that his father-in-law, Alastair McHardy, owned and raced WJB 707 in the early sixties and is mentioned as the seller in Southsea on my web page. They were reminiscing over Christmas and Karl is hoping to take him to see his old car. I hope to have some photos of Alastair racng the car shortly.
JOHN HILL
I was sorry to learn recently that John Hill had passed away back in Oct 2014. John assisted the ‘works’ Healey team at Le Mans in 1960. See the article he sent me about his exploits there.
The SUPER SPRITE – XQHS
I recently obtained this article by Philip Young which throws a little more light on this prototype’s history and restoration.
[Click on the picture left to read the article]
NEW FROGEYE BODY-SHELLS
I have recently heard from Mike Marczynski of Frogeye Spares Co who tells me that since acquiring Brian Wheeler’s operation they have produced and sold several new chassis. They initially had some problems with the hydraulic press which is now working reasonably well and they have a number of new orders for chassis but are still working through the list inherited from Brian. Two new members will join the team in January to help in the workshop, and to increase the speed of production. See “Bodyshells” for prices and other details.
Sebring Rep owner discovered.
Way back in the early 90’s Brian Archer sold a top to a student who took it back to Australia. His name, it turns out, was Dave Hewet who has now sold the project on to someone in Melbourne.
SPEEDWELL 60/60 AMMETER ON EBAY
Expires 3 Jan
Currently at £5.50
ORIGINAL DRAWINGS OF DONALD HEALEY/JENSEN HARDTOPS
Peter Seaman has sent me a pack of original drawings which include these fully detailed ones of the DHMC hardtop drawn in 1958.
We know of at least 25 of these tops but there must be more. For full size go to pdf-1 or pdf-2
A very happy Christmas to all regular visitors to this site and especially to all those who kindly contribute with information, photos, articles & links to items/cars for sale. Without you the site would not continue to expand and develop in the way that it has over many years – please keep at it – my grateful thanks to all of you. All best wishes for your Spriting exploits in 2015.
SPEEDWELL REV COUNTER
for sale on ebay (Buy Now) at £235
A replica created using a genuine Weston case with a modern digital movement, etc.
(spriteracer66)
AN AUSSIE LENHAM GTO (above)
Just heard from Colin Dodds, Spridget guru in NSW
with this unique round wheel arch Lenham GTO
built just 3 years ago using panels originally brought in
to Australia by Ray English in the 60s. The car is
now for sale. Colin’s description.
GOODWOOD AGAIN
No sooner do I publish my revamped story of the Goodwood Revival meeting in 2006 than Neil Anderson comes up with another excellent slant on that occasion published in the American Austin-Healey magazine, and written by Bill Emerson. So here it is for your enjoyment.
STEVE McQUEEN
Spotted by David Scothorn on Jeff Stein’s website: www.onthedash.com is this rather nice photo taken at Sebring in 1962 with a relaxed McQueen checking his steed for the event.
Note the face of Donald Healey between the bonnet and the mechanic.
[Jim Dougherty]
GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2006
It has only taken me 3 years to get around to reconstructing my report on this exciting event – on the current version of this website. You may remember there were 15 Sprites and Midgets among a big field of classic sportscars, with drivers including Sir Stirling Moss. Formers owners joined with current enthusiasts for a thrilling day’s racing. Why not take another look during this gloomy winter weather.
ASHLEY HARDTOP FOR SALE
apparently for a 1965 Sprite Mk3 (so will not fit either a Mk2 or a Mk4!! SOLD on ebay at £420 – 18 Dec
A very good-looking SHORROCK SUPERCHARGER KIT on ebay –
fetched £1,820!! – 19 Dec
[Library photo]
SPRITELY YEARS
Perhaps an opportunity to get a copy of John Sprinzel & Tom Coulthard’s excellent history of John’s, and many other, Sprites. On ebay sold for £82 – 16 Dec
One we missed, sold recently on ebay was this Sebring Sprite brochure which achieved £68!!
I have recently been updating my web page on RTL 304
which back in the 70’s was owned by John Hugenholtz. On the left here he is driving his Ford GT40 and right, in the Dodge Viper at Le Mans in 1999 where he finished third in the GT1 class. [Chris Keeble]
Installation of ARCHERS’ SEBRING SEATS
Can anyone help Neil Blaney (NSW) who wishes to make his replica Healey bucket seats adjustable?
If you can please email him (with a copy to me) – thank you.
NOW SOLD
ON EBAY
at £441
JUDSON SUPERCHARGERS
I have had three responses to my query on behalf of Roderick Robinson:
Firstly, Keith Luck (My Shorrock engineer) says” George Folchi is the man to contact (in the USA: Link
Next was Neil Anderson who came up with the same linkFor G.Folchi plus another, recommended by the Judson Co: Link 2
He says he knows of no-one in the UK that rebuilds Judsons. Thirdly, Kees van Beijmerwerdt says: “Simply dismantle and replace bearings (standard and available in any good bearing shop). Vanes play should be not to excessive (max 0.4 mm). New vanes are made by George Folchi in New Milton, Conneticut (USA) and sold at reasonable prices. George also does refurbishing of Judsons. Rotors are being remade in several places but are rather expensive, since it is an alloy casting on a steel shaft. I am happy to provide information if someone wants to do the job himself”
[KEITH LUCK is going to service Rod’s supercharger and would be willing to do the same for others.
He can be contacted by email and is based at Studham in Bedfordshire.]
BRAKE/CLUTCH PEDALS FOR SEBRING PEDAL BOX
Neil Anderson has sent me this photo and sketch to show the differences between a Frogeye/Bugeye brake or clutch pedal and that used on the Sebring with Girling master cylinders. In order to achieve a longer movement in the actuating rods, the hole for the actuating rod is a greater distance from the pedal’s main pivot point. See Girling.
JUDSON SUPERCHARGERS
Roderick Robinson has bought a LHD Frogeye with one fitted. Anyone know who would service/overhaul it? Feedback please.
3 GREAT IMAGES
(below) of the replica Le Mans Ecurie Ecosse Sprite atop its transporter,
kindly sent in by Richard Tague of Peter Best Insurance. The team’s cars and transporter were all sold at auction last year, only the Sprite remaining in the Skipworth family.
XXC 818
Latest news and Christmas wishes from Trevor McIlroy, Belfast.
A page from the Speedwell Catalogue, courtesy of Neil Anderson – more to come.
Another charming little picture from Spirou (left) courtesy of Graham Bish
SPEEDWELL DOOR HANDLES
Mike Wylie reports his are made of brass, and
Roger Friend’s Dad actually made the first batch.
See “Your Comments”
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLES didn’t sell so now being re-offered on ebay again at £795.
[Mike Wood]
Mike Wylie tells me: “Interestingly, the main body of the handles on 505 BZ are fashioned from solid brass, perhaps an indication of the car’s ‘prototype’ status. I do remember how many of my Sprite owning friends couldn’t live without buying the handle packages from Paddy Hopkirk’s accessories shop, but would not have queried what they were made from?”
I see Simon Leeming’s Mark 2 replica is for sale with MG Mecca at £19,995.
SPEEDWELL COMPONENTS
I am beginning to put together a page of Speedwell parts starting today with the sliding door handles. Access the page via “Technical” in the side column.
96 RPE web page re-written with additions
MY SUPPLY OF
JOHN’s AUTOBIOGRAPHY
ALL NOW SOLD
5435 WD now in Canada
GIRLING BRAKES
see John Egan’s entry in “Your Comments”
IAN TURNER on numerous topics,
also in “Your Comments”
Christoph Klamert has kindly sent in this nice little Speedwell article from the French children’s magazine, Spirou. And, for we Anglophiles, Nicolas Billion-Rey helpfully translates: “The article begins with a record on a Belgian highway. The car reaches 212 km/h. He then explains that some “fanatics” have teamed up doing as Carlo Abarth did with Fiat. They were betting that they could get the car to over 200 km/h without using a compressor. They worked on the chassis, engine, suspension and transmission. He concludes by saying that the English need not be ashamed of their Italian colleagues”.
UNUSUAL BONNET DESIGN
Michael Satterfield is looking for a unique hardtop to combine with this very unusual front on his Mk 2 Sprite (made by a guy named J. Gedden of Manhattan Beach, California back in the 60s). He plans to use the car in a film/race in Mexico, and is thinking of copying Mark Turner‘s Mk 2 hybrid.
MORE OF THE HISTORY OF 96 RPE (once PMO 200)
Michael Duffey writes to tell us that he owned this Peel bodied car (now owned by Terry Cowan) back in the 70’s.
See his letter under “Your Comments”.
SPEEDWELL DOOR HANDLES
Tony Griffiths has a pair for sale attached to rusty doors. Complete and working they could do with re-chroming. Make him an offer. Tony
Morgan Sparrow has acquired a 1963 1098cc Motobuild Ashley GT and wants FIA papers. He needs to know if anyone raced a car with a Williams & Pritchard Sebring Mk2 bonnet (called an Ashley Silverstone by Motobuild) in the 60’s.
Send Feedback if you can help please.
SEBRING BRAKE PEDALS
Neil Anderson has come up with the answer to my query – see “Your Comments”. Many thanks to him and also to Dave Puzey who offered to loan his pedal box for measurement.
ACRYLIC HEADLAMP COVERS
Nigel Cluley has produced these for Turners and other cars and is willing to take orders. Nigel
