LETTER FROM KEN GRASING
” Hello Martin, Once again your “Latest News” segment brings up more questions! I noted, with more than passing interest, the pictures from John Sprinzel of the latest rendition PMO 200. After scrambling to the bookshelf I’m left with a few questions:
1. I think the vents on the sides of the bonnet are from the Austin A70 Hereford. I believe the same are used on Pierre’s 2080 PO? Any chance of finding a set of these?
2. It appears the interior is fitted with the original style rubber mats rather than carpet. Is there now a source for these?
3. I’ve always wondered about the blister in the bonnet, it’s quite prominent in the pictures of PMO 200 in the ’58 Alpine, as well as these new pictures. Any particular reason for the blister?
4. Also noted the car is running the disc wheels, I presume it’s fitted with the A40 drum brakes up front rather than the Girling discs?
I also noted the various comments regarding Halls Garage/Tifosi:
5. I see they are said to be able to produce the side screens. Do we have any idea when Brian will be able to deliver any of the ones started by Andrew?
6. I’d be interested to know whether they, Tifosi, are producing any other bits. I’m still after Andrew for a set of the Healey inlets.
I did go ahead and purchase the car out of California that appears to have the Girling brakes. I’ve not had a chance to get into it yet, other to exam the underside while it was on the trailer. No Armstrong adjustable shocks, which is disappointing as I was hoping to recover a bit of my investment by selling of a set of these. Looks like a couple of leaves have been removed from the rear springs, as was done in period. ARB ends are parallel to the road surface, as was done with the early ARB’s. Engine has nine-spring style clutch, not the twin disc. It is the Girling style pedal box with the spacer to stagger the individual master cylinders. They appear to be the Girling style hubs, without too much wear, although the wire wheel rims are probably not salvageable.
The pictures of Sven’s car look good, nice bodywork. My 1959 Sprite, the one that will be the supercharged Bonneville Sprite, is just about ready to be primed. Pictures below. Best Regards, Ken Grasing”
Ken Grasing continues re: photos above: (Left is the car as it arrived from Iowa). “This is the 1959 car, which will be fitted with the Shorrock supercharger and done up as a Bonneville Sprite; modeled after 7080 AC as run in the 1960 Alpine rally by Tommy Wisdom and Jack Hay. Car will be painted in Healey Ice Metallic Blue and run with the soft top rather that the more typical Jensen (DHMC) hard top. Holding off on painting until we have the engine sited, as I want to get inlet for the blower positioned correctly in the bonnet. Engine is coming along and I think most of the Sebring Sprite gear is in hand. I’m still sorting the FIA Article V (safety) equipment as John Hopwood advised me the Bonneville is a Period F car, rather than a Period E car, which makes things a bit more difficult”.
“USU cresting the brow at the top of Firle Hill at the recent Revival meeting. 250 miles round trip and three blasts up the hill made for a busy and exciting day!” Bob Hinchliffe
SPEEDWELL DRUM BRAKE/WIRE WHEEL CONVERSION
Alistair Ross: “I had the pleasure of meeting Sven Eckhart in the summer and was pleased
that he had bought TRV 202. I did go and view this car when it was for sale and noticed the Speedwell goodies that had been fitted, and we had good blather about the car (with a pint in hand). Its interesting that his car has been fitted with 8″ brake drums. My car (5447 HX) was also fitted with 8″ brake drums (Morris Minor) but Rubery Owen supplied splined hubs and wire wheels (I don’t know when the wire wheel option was available for the Sprite) and these were fitted by Speedwells, attached is a picture of the conversion, thought this may be of interest.
INFORMATION SOUGHT ON SPRITE MK1 – 8965 AC
Dennis Wharf is trying to assist the new owner of this car which was originally registered in 1959 to the Donald Healey Motor Company. “It has some unusual instruments, but otherwise is a completely standard, although in appalling condition. He wondered if it may have been raced. Does the reg number ring any bells, or is it most likely just one of many demonstrators with a few extra instruments fitted at some point in its past? ” Feedback
OUR AUTHORITY ON SPEEDWELL GTs, ALISTAIR ROSS, COMMENTS ON TOM McCORMACK’s ALLOY MONZA BONNET
” I’ll throw my hat into the ring and speculate that the bonnet that Tom McCormack has is that from Frank Mabrys car, its well known that Frank did not have much luck with his Speedwell GT or indeed with his Formula Junior Lotus where he forgot to fasten the bonnet before setting of. Frank’s last jaunt in his GT resulted in him crashing it on the way to the circuit. I did make contact (of sorts) with Frank some years ago and there was no mention of him or his family still having the car. Frank Mabry’s first contact with Speedwells was when he was returning from US national service in Germany and as a customer he was very demanding and was happy to pay cash for a car as soon as possible. Speedwells had built a very ‘posh’ Speedwell GT (UGU 874) this car had all the bells and whistles but it was not what the customers wanted and Speedwell’s could not sell it, one comment was that you could buy a new Aston Martin for the same price. Peter Eva (Speedwells) sent me a dossier of memories, catalogues etc and this was added to after his death as his daughter sent me more Speedwell papers. I now believe that UGU was stripped of its fineries and was rebuilt for Frank Mabry at short notice, Peter Eva said that they had a car ‘in stock’ that would do the job and the man was willing to pay cash. I have also seen photographs of the rear of Mabry’s car and it was fitted with a spare wheel access panel the same as UGU, HX and MM and this certainly would not have been fitted to a newly built racer”. ttfn….Alistair. (The bonnet below)
“John Venner Pack in pole position at Goodwood (left). The track is the same as in Tom Coulthard’s (888 HPA) picture so at least we know its Goodwood about 1960, albeit not the same time of year” – Alistair Ross.
MG MIDGET FOR SALE £1250.
John Poulter is offering this Midget for sale, first registered April 1971, and last tax disc on the screen was 1999. “It’s been in dry storage since then. It looks like a fair bit of work was done just prior to its last use – calipers and discs were replaced, o/s full floor, no doubt a few weak areas were filled – bottom of n/s A post and car resprayed. 4 new tyres and very good spare. Pancake air filters and oil cooler are non-standard but otherwise original. All complete including hood, tonneau, hood cover and tool kit. There is a hole now in the passenger footwell, and the rear of the boot floor to rear valence wants rebuilding. I have sympathetically woken it up – new front brake hoses, one new rear wheel cylinder, cleaned the drums and discs, fitted new master cylinder seals to brake and clutch, cleaned dynamo and control box, carbs etc, new points (already had new leads and cap), new bonnet pull. It now rolls easily, king pins seem fine and the engine starts and runs sweetly – mileage 79K. I can’t get the clutch to clear as it looks like the clutch release bearing has worn the carbon totally away so I can’t try the box. I have a slave battery fitted at present and the engine starts instantly with good oil pressure and no smoke. Visitors welcome. I have attached a few more photos. Many thanks John”. Click to email
The car is located near Dursley Glos, 15 mins from J 13 or J14 on the M5.
Contact numbers 01453 547577 and 07941 890062. NOW SOLD (8 Oct 2016)
FIRLE HILL REVIVAL 2016
“The Lequeux’s had a great day at the Firle Hill Revival…wih a few other Sprites…Hopefully a few more next year !”
A couple of photos from this year’s Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême held on 16-18 Sep 2016 – Clive Cocks in his 1962 WSM Sprite (right) and Pieter Bakker in the paddock (left).
This car for sale in Australia looks to have a Lenham GTO rear end – the bonnet identity I’m not sure about, but it claims to be a 1958 Sprite which doesn’t quite tie up with its later screen and door configuration. Link
Due to change of plan Bryn Rossiter has for disposal an expertly re-manufactered pair of H4 carbs, mounted on a modified MG1100 manifold and set up for a hot 1000cc Sprite. They have not been fitted since overhaul and come with a pr of new Swiftune bellmouths. He needs £795 (firm) plus carriage at cost or collection from Wilts or Lincs (by arrangement). NOW SOLD
“Martin, a few images of our cars at Knockagh Hill Climb. This hill ran from the early fifty’s until mid sixty’s. It was also used as a stage on the International Circuit of Ireland Rally until 1971 then like a lot of road circuits stopped. The Ulster Automobile Club (UAC) revived the event on the 16th September, on one of the sunniest days of the year. My sister Fel drove our recently purchased Frog eye. This car is the same age & colour as the 1959 Monte-Carlo car . We dressed it in the Monte livery,which went down very well at the event. Regards Trevor McIlroy, Belfast”.
I am told HALLS GARAGE also have an Open DAY on 15th October for those interested in Sebring reps, etc.
The Ex-John Milne Midget GT taking part in the Historic Endurance Racing Classic in Portugal [Trevor Hibdige/David Scothorn]
MORE ON 888 HPA FROM FORMER OWNER JOHN PITT
“I bought 888 HPA in 1965 from the son of the Chief Superintendent of Police for Wembley, who lived in Hatch End. (Got away with speeding fines and noise etc for nearly a year as the police thought he still owned it!). He told me it was built and raced by Naylor Brothers who I think are still in business and believed it had a Coventry Climax engine originally. Front brakes were from a Lotus Elite. Rear Brakes were Austin A40 front drums, converted to rear. Gearbox had Elva straight cut gears. Light weight flywheel. Competition clutch. Panhard & anti roll bars. Twin 1 1/2 SU carbs, also Dellorto 42 DCM carb tried, no quicker but heavy on fuel! 731 & 649 cams were tried. Tell tale Rev counter.I fitted the Lenham body in 1967. I have pictures of before and after. regards, John”.
SIMON HUTCHINSON:
Hi Martin, I bought the cream front end from ebay that was up for £200 last week. 
I thought it was a Lenham ‘Silverstone’ (looking at plenty of pics on the web) but you’ve described it as a Williams and Pritchard Sebring Mk2. [I think Motobuild call their copy of it an Ashley Silverstone on their Ashley GT- not Lenham, Ed] Sadly it’s been standing upright for many years and the extra weight of the nose ducting has caused some gel coat cracking mid-wheel arch and just behind the headlights. The latches are seized solid but externally very good, are they Triumph Spitfire/Herald items? [Yes, Ed] Also has a crack along the bottom of the air intake but nothing insurmountable for the £160 I paid in the end. I have these for a 74 RWA Midget that’s about three projects away from starting and would love one of the Lenham GT rears. [Available from CCK Historic] If these are too expensive/rare then an Ashley GT would suffice. The chap who sold the front end has a complete skinny disc setup if you anyone who’s interested, I could pass there details on (what is a fair price for these?). [Good question] I noted on one of the pictures within the site a scene from the Brighton Speed Trials (Jensen in the background) 
and my then black Midget BGJ 840B sporting the Ashley hard top and possibly a Lenham front was leaving the line in the Ladies race with Pat Uren at the wheel. This car started out white through to the Black streamlined body and had a supercharged 1100 fitted, crashed and front returned
to white standard body with a 1600 X Flow then re-shelled in 72 and fitted with a 1600 Lotus Twin Cam, 2 years later retired to back of garage and I bought it in about 2007 without the engine and box sadly. It has 8” wide revolutions, big discs and drums & telescopic dampers all round. The bubbled rear arches aren’t to my taste but I’ll leave 
them as long as the wheels don’t rub. The fronts will have to be more pedestrian friendly than the trailer mudguards fitted. Eric Green (Pat’s husband) was in the process of supercharging the Twin Cam and had cut a huge chunk of the drivers foot well out and converted to LHD. I have a 165 BHP Zetec (twin cam) and 5 speed box to slot in. Great web site by the way. Regards, Simon.
Pat Uren
Supercharged
SPOTTED AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL BY BOB HINCHLIFFE:
The nice little Ashley-bodied Frogeye of John Foard (Hants) and David Bruzas’ newly completed Brabham Midget with Coventry Climax engine which formed part of the tribute to the late Sir Jack.
FROM JOHN SPRINZEL: “Brett Pruitt has finished rebuilding my Hawaiian Sprite of 21 years, into a copy of the original Alpine rally Class winning car of 1958. An unbelievable restoration. [Below, and right:]
KEITH EGAR REPORTS: “Halls Garage at Morton near Bourne make all the panels and can also build a Sebring replica. They can also manufacture side screens. They did a lovely conversion on my competition car”
AND JASON ELLIOTT OF HALLS GARAGE: “We do Sebring Sprite panels but they take 4 to 6 week to deliver. We have front screens in stock. Side screens made to order. We can also supply separately or as complete kit. TIFOSI-HALLS GARAGE
REMEMBER TRV 202 – THAT RUST BUCKET SVEN ECKHARDT BOUGHT ON EBAY?
Well, he is gradually transforming it back to its former glory complete with its period 8″ drum brakes.
Great progress
– well done Sven!
WILL THERE BE ANY MORE SEBRING REPLICAS ?
A question received this week: “Hi Martin, I own a 1961 Frogeye and am enquiring as to the availability, and price of the Sebring bonnet, and Sebring coupe top. If you could get back to me with some information I would be very grateful”, and my response:
“Unfortunately Andrew Forster closed Archers Garage in February this year following a fire a year earlier. He has now taken fulltime employment elsewhere and his moulds are in storage. However, you can obtain both a bonnet and coupe top from CCK Historic in Sussex. Laminated windscreens are available from a number of glass suppliers. I am not sure about the Perspex rear screen but that is not a complicated item. The side-screens are more difficult and I have been co-ordinating a list, currently of 14 people wanting these. An engineer has agreed to make them but it is taking time.There may be other sources of panels too and I hope to have details shortly. Let me know if I can assist further”. If anyone can nsupply information as to alternative suppliers would you kindly let me know on Feedback.
Photo from Tom Coulthard revealed on Facebook. I’m hoping he’ll tell us more about it but notice the Sprite in the foreground is 888HPA which later evolved into his Lenham GT.
Squadron-leader Paddy Gaston in his Sprite RAM 35 during 1961.
[Courtesy of Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird on Facebook]
ANOTHER WENDY GIBBS INTERVIEW – THIS TIME WITH JOE ARMOUR – EXCELLENT!
WATCH THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL LIVE
RIGHT NOW – JUST CLICK BELOW https://youtu.be/jresu2xAKKk
Revs Library have this nice photo of Geoff Healey with 1411 WD prior to its entry in the Le Mans 24hrs 1961
ONE OF LENHAM’S OTHER PROJECTS WAS THE P70 built around 1970
[Facebook]
Tony Griffiths confirms that “the Sebring replica that belonged to the late Mike Cockayne is now in the hands of a gentleman called Will Dick who is an Alfa Romeo specialist in Wolverhampton and well known racer of Alfa Romeo cars. His company name is WAD Developments. I believe Will may have been a friend of Mike’s”.
BMC/PATHE NEWS FILM ABOUT THE “NEW” FROGEYE, WITH ROY SALVADORI AND JOHN BOLSTER IS ON YOUTUBE
BRABHAM MIDGET
David Bruzas confirms his newly restored example will form part of the Jack Brabham Memorial at the Goodwood Revival later this month.
A COUPLE OF ITEMS I AM OFFERING ON EBAY
to make some space in my workshop. Left is my engine test rig also useable for dummy building up suspension, steering, brakes, etc. Right is an early 1098cc engine. Test rig is now £4.20, engine 99p . BOTH NOW SOLD.
NOS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES
Steve Nash on Facebook: ” With all the trouble people have had with the reproduction hydraulic brake light switches, I’m pleased to say I’ve found a small batch of new old stock Lucas switches. Due in shortly. If anyone wants one, I can offer them at £9.50 each delivered to a UK address. Overseas buyers, please PM me and I’ll work out a postage cost. Strictly on a first come, first served basis…. and I’m keeping a couple for myself!”
Send him an email if you’re interested. [I gather they are all spoken for – SORRY]
CHRIS PASS’S LENHAM GT
with Triumph TR3 windscreen
[seen on Facebook]
WENDY GIBBS
is putting together a number of video interviews highlighting Sprite Car Club of Australia members cars. The first, now available on YouTube is of Colin Dodds with The Frite (Jag E-Type engined Sprite. Definitely worth a look. What Colin doesn’t know about Sprites ain’t worth knowing! Next interviewee will be Joe Armour I believe.
ANDY CHAFFEY
has now sold his Sebring Rep
Rare item on ebay – Ashley top for a Frogeye – £360 Exp 12th
John Pitt tells me that it was he who was the original owner who carried out the conversion of 888 HPA, the Lenham GT now owned by Tom Coulthard.
NEWS FROM TIFOSI (HALLS GARAGE)
Jason Elliott tells me they have a stand at the Manchester Classic Car Show on 17/18 September and that they are having a Tifosi, Midget and Sprite Open Day on the 15th October at Hall’s Garage, Folkingham Road, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 0NS.
Regular contributor Graham Bish has kindly sent these photos taken by his friend Peter Green at the Tatton Park Classic car show, over the weekend 20th/21st August. The car is Emrys and Pauline Jones’ supercharged Sebring replica.
FOR SALE
Sebring Sprite Replica
1960 (LHD) complete with FIA HTP 2016 and ready to race.
The car is based in France (near Paris). For more information, photos, etc, please contact Sylvain Proyart by email.
FROM SPORTING CARS
Sept 1984 this fascinating article about our cars in competition entitled “The Wild Underdogs”
[Kindly sent in by John Poulter]
Trevor McIlroy took part in the Shelsley Walsh Classic on 17th July and his run can now be seen on Youtube
[James Thacker]B-Series Water Pump
John Poulter: “In reference to Ian Watts and the water pump I believe that was a pressed steel impeller like the photo of the B-series pump (above right). There seems to be several attempts at replacing the iron impeller over the years – I have one new pump with a plastic moulded version – I wonder how much overheating that will take?”
IS ANYONE IN TOUCH WITH M. VON SCHAUROTH WHO OWNED, OR OWNS, 812 AGO?
Nicolas Billion-Rey would like to contact him. Feedback please
PIERRE LEQUEUX
sent in these lovely photos of PO at Goodwood (left) and Brighton Speed Trials (right)
MIKANSUE MODEL
OF SPRINZEL SPRITE COUPE
ON EBAY
expires today 5 Sept
Currently no bids at asking price of £49.99
Nicolas Billion-Rey spotted 410 EAO in the background of this photo from 1961.
1962 1000kms at NURBURGRING
Colour slides available on ebay – of which this attractive one of
2214 UE is one.
AN ARCHERS BROCHURE
on ebay at (how much?) £39.99!!!
Expires today (5 Sept)
PAUL TAYLOR sent in this article about the TFR5 (unfortunately written in Japanese but great photos)
These patches are available on ebay at £14.99
RICHARD ROOKS (SPEEDWELL GT) is looking for a new or used shift lever for a Mk1 Sprite. Any help will be appreciated. Email him please
Greetings one and all. No, I haven’t been on holiday but working hard on renovations to our cottage in tranquil Teesdale. Can’t wait to get the Sebring up there to enjoy the blissful roads.
GHIA-DESIGNED INNOCENTI 1100S SPIDER (1963)
FOR SALE ON EBAY
AT £14,995
A WATER PUMP TALE FROM IAN WATTS OF COVENTRY:
“About 2 years ago the heater on my Frogeye stopped working. I tried all the usual things to find out what was wrong but to no avail. The only thing I didn’t check was the water pump as the engine temperature was fine. The other day I had to take out the radiator to repair it, so while it was out I decided to check the water pump. This is what I found. Yes, the cast iron impeller has almost completely disappeared leaving just 6 fingers remaining, and yet the engine was not over-heating, despite hard driving and being stuck in traffic in Stratford on a hot day – amazing! Anyway, new pump fitted, heater now works and the engine runs 10deg F cooler and I’ve got nice warm feet”.
WILLIAMS & PRITCHARD SEBRING MK2 BONNET
FOR SALE ON EBAY
BUY NOW £200
Expires 6 Sept
ALUMINIUM BONNET
A message from Tom McCormack reads: “I was hoping you or a reader would be able to identify an aluminum Sprite nose that I have owned for years. I purchased it in the late 1980’s or early 90’s in the Philadelphia suburbs. the seller had no history for it. I intended to put it on a vintage race Bugeye but that never came to pass. Any ideas? Thanks in advance”.
The bonnet above would seem to be one of the very few (maybe 6) Speedwell Monza bonnets made by Williams & Pritchard and often destroyed early in their lives. Someone has clearly formed an opening in the top, probably to aid cooling. Any observations gratefully received. Feedback
