ANOTHER AUSSIE LENHAM GTO
‘I purchased the Lenham GTO that Colin Dodds co-owned in the article “AN AUSSIE GTO with round wheel arches”. So says David Laing who has since written an article for ‘Sprite Torque’, magazine of of the Sprite Car Club of Australia of which he is Promotions Officer. Since buying the car earlier this year he has fitted a set of 14″ x 41/2″ crome wire wheels. He has also ‘ been doing some “maintenance” work to bring it up to my standards viz. fitted new rear wheel brake cylinders, shoes, handbrake boots and rear axle seals etc. new front rotors, disc pads and tie rod ends. The steering has quite a bit of free-play so adjustments will be made and hopefully I don’t have to strip it down and rebuild it. I’m intending to fit a roll bar too, that will incorporate seat belt anchor plates. I have also had the extractors “cerakoted” and a new exhaust fitted that ends with a twin pipe outlet in stainless steel. I have also fitted chrome ring surrounds around the “Ferrari” type Hella tail/stop/indicator lights, as well as a GTO badge fitted lower right rear panel’.
JUERGEN’S ADVENTURE – INCLUDING RUNNING HIS SEBRING ON DIESEL FUEL & BEING TOWED AT SPEED BY AN ALFA!!
Hi Martin, We have returned safely this afternoon from our little adventure and would like to thank you and your team of local advisors wholeheartedly for rescuing us. As you want to mention the heroics of that little episode on your website news, I’d rather give you the full facts, in order not to apportion blame and praise to the wrong people ! It all started about a month ago when I had decided, a cure for our Spridgets maladies was now necessary in the motherland, as my own fumblings were not successful. My German local friends’ limited knowledge of the cars specifics and his expertise on Porsches and Mercs were not leading us to results in reasonable times and economics. Having spoken to Dominic (- Mooney of Midlands Classic Restorations) at the Spa 6 hrs, the plan was, for me to trailer the car over and him rectifying the open issues in about four weeks time. So we could collect it after the Birmingham show and then drive it back home to our home in Erlangen, northern Bavaria, a journey of about 1200 kms one way. Main issues had been:
(1) Overheating, water and oil. Dom fitted an oil cooler with thermostat, replaced the head gasket, blown on cyl 4 between combustion and water passage and intended to put forward the ignition, which I had only roughly set, experiencing lots of pinking on regular German lead-free of app. 95 octane. It ran beautifully on 100 octane of limited availability.
(2) Clutch problems: With ambient temperatures of almost 30 °C and the overheating engine, the clutch started slipping after drives of a quarter of an hour when shifting up to third. Obviously the hydraulics of the otherwise perfect Peter May -converted release mechanism expanded and opened the clutch. I had myself replaced before the 1460 cc Peter May engine by an “original” 1100 unit for reasons of legalizing the whole car to the German TUEV, using the same clutch cover, but most likely not having measured and adapted properly the different thickness of flywheel and crankshaft flange. Dominic had to take the engine out, shortened the slave cylinder casing/flange and it works perfectly well, albeit at presently about 10°C. ambient. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Italy !
(3) Steering and roadholding was compromised, not having any selfcentering / selfstraightening of the steering and the car weaving and floating at higher speeds. Having first used a non-OEM new steering rack from a German supplier for conversion to lhd, nothing at all had worked, I had to pull like an ox to get into a curve and push equally hard, to get it back on the straight. From Sven Eckardt I then obtained an old original rack, which was light and sensitive, but still no real self-centering. We tried find a bit of castor in the suspension, no success. I replaced the low-section Yokohamas by old-fashioned 165/70 tyres, no improvement felt. Dominic took everything apart and refitted the whole front in the proper sequence, with camber and toe-in. Now we have some feedback, the steering is a joy.
(4) Further he massively improved the fitting of the sidescreens but had to give up finally, they are much better than my previous attempts, but still neither tight nor quiet nor stable in the wind, despite low speeds. I keep waiting for my set of raw frames from Brian and will aim for a better fit plus a functioning support structure.
True to his words, the car was ready for collection by Monday morning at Dominic’s and Peter May’s place. We did some minor adjustments to the driver’s seat fixings, which are now Mazda MX5 leather seats, as recommended by someone on your website. They fit well with some homespun supports using Corbeau runners and look great. Access and getting out of the seats is, even for people of our advanced age, quite reasonable and my wife feels comfortable. Nevertheless, I’m not satisfied yet. They give no lateral support for the legs and bum and on my long return journey I got pain in my right upper thigh and tend to slip forward in the seat, creating back aches as well. Further, they weigh about twice what my Corbeau Classic Alpine/GT4 does.
The following day I had a very pleasant first longer test drive with my friend Terry from Martley to Shelsley Walsh, where we got a very friendly welcome by the local team in charge of recultivating the old watermill there. 
A picture was taken, me in the Spridget at the start, but no racing up the private road. The guys there mentioned, the owner of the farm at the top also owns a Sebring Sprite, mentioning a name I do not remember having been on your website !! [Who is that?] The real adventure then began on Wednesday morning, we left Willow Road in Wichenford about 10 a.m., via M5, A417 past Cirencester on to Swindon and M4, then via Bracknell to M3 towards M25. All went very well, temperatures, oil pressure fine. Fuel level had been constant at “over full” after Dominic had to refill the day before, running out of good German high octane stuff. He stated only regular 95 being available at nearby stations and had to retard ignition by 5° to avoid pinking. I still had pinking under load at revs below 3000 per min and did not run faster than the official speed limit, which then again is just above 3000 in fifth of my Ford box.
The fuel read[ing] started to move downwards only after about 200 kms !
When hitting the Ring road, my TomTom and the road signs cooperated in seducing me into an involuntary trip via M3 into London and back again onto M25, thus reducing my available fuel enough to cause an early stop at Clackett Lane Service Station. To my great joy I there spotted signs of Excellium 97 octane fuel being available and we stopped at the respective tapping point. I then decided somehow unconsciously for a cooperation with BP about researching the capabilities of the A-series engine concerning alternative fuels of high cetane/low octane. [DIESEL!] With enough 95 octane stuff left in the lines, I managed a smooth take off and out onto the motor way; however then any attempt to put on a bit of load going uphill or faster resulted in extremely massive pinking and I soon had to give in to reality and rolled into the bay by the roadside, where I was picked up by a certain gentlemen, well known in Spridget circles for his helpfulness. The tow I got behind his red Alfa was one of the more hair-raising events of my late life,[SORRY JUERGEN] as the line was rather short and my sight was very little above the exhaust! Nevertheless, I’m extremely grateful being rescued from despair.
The next stage of developments is well known to you Martin, so I need not expand on this, except to mention that I hope you can make some use of the fuel mix I left behind by adding occasionally a litre to your full tank, diluting it as per your friends advice. In case this does not work, just let me know the cost, I will find a way to refund you.
After having left you, in the dark I found the fuel station again and filled up 97 octane excellium, trying back onto the M20 for Ashford. It was not very pleasant with my headlights being taped off partially for driving on the wrong side and impatient locals dazzling me from behind, even the dimmed lights glare fully into the very low mirrors of the Spridget. Road signs, the TomTom anouncements and my own thinking were quite a bit out of sync, so I repeatedly lost my way, but nevertheless made it to the Conningbrook in Ashford for a reasonable dinner, a pint of bitter and a good sleep.
Next morning, Thursday, the engine was a bit hesitant in starting, but we were away in time for the 8:00 ferry to Dunkirk, unfortunately with the same problems in the dark. Definitely not a recommendable time of driving with the Spridget. No grounding when entering the ferry, very punctual, quiet traverse, even blue skies. To avoid the hassles around Brussels with mad Belgians weaving in and out all over you, we took the route past Lille and then Tournai towards Liege/Luyk. The weather went very wet again and it got a bit cool and wet on various spots in the cabin, but traffic wise it went very smooth, except the first portion in France, where the road is rather bumpy.
Having passed Liege we realized that it would be dark again too early and opted for the route past Spa and down to the Eifel region where we were able to secure bed and first class dinner at Darscheid, which is about 20 mins off Nurburgring. Kuchers Landhotel is a spot which we can recommend to all lovers of good [food?], we go frequently there for the Oldtimer Grand Prix. The wine list of about a thousand different issues tells a bit and our dish of goose leg, goose breast and terrine plus dumplings, red cabbage, apple sauce, chestnut and an apple from the oven was delicious.
Finally, today, Friday, we could afford to start in broad daylight and with rarely a bit of rain we took the autobahn towards Koblenz, onwards to Montabaur and on to Frankfurt, all smooth, reasonable traffic and increasing speeds on average about 120 with short “bursts” even beyond 140, temps, press and noises normal. Fuel consumption on average about 7 litres per hundred km. From Frankfurt onwards traffic increased substantially and lots of extremely long roadworks caused delays, one should avoid this stretch by all means (except Sat afternoon, Sun morning, when trucks are not permitted and holidayers not too many).
To sum it up, the car goes well now, noise expectedly high, but driving at night a nightmare !
This is now very long, but feel free to make use of any part you really consider interesting.
Regards and thanks again, Juergen & Silvia.
[Just to elaborate a little on the mixed fuel problem: we decided to use the car’s fuel pump to scavenge the full tank (7 gallons – about 5 of petrol and 2 of diesel) into a Jerry can plus a couple of others. Then despite sucking out the float chambers and putting a gallon of fresh 97 octane BP Ultimate in the tank we found the engine just would not fire. The evening drew on and it got dark making life pretty difficult. My neighbour Dick was about to head off to Halfords to obtain some Sure Start when I decided to use the battery testing syringe to squirt neat fuel into each of the carbs. Hey presto, she fired and ran, roughly at first but eventually picking up and smoothing out. I’m not sure I understand why the fuel should have begun to run from the tank once we got the engine running but why question it? Fortunately we were then able to send our visitors on their short journey to their hotel in Ashford. (How stupid can you get calling their 97 petrol BP Ultimate but also using the same name for diesel – almost like they want to catch out the unwary!! MEI]
THE SEBRING SPRITE MEMORIAL SHIELD
goes this year to Emryn and Pauline Jones with their beautiful Aston green Sebring Coupe which was displayed on the Austin-Healey Club stand at the NEC for the Classic Motor Show and was very much admired by many. I know that the late Ian Ashfield, who donated the shield would be delighted that the shield continues to be awarded, and to such worthy Sebring owners.
DNX REPAINTED
Alan Anstead reports “A picture of my respray fresh Sebring with its black joint trim. It now needs those new sidescreens.
FOR SALE – EARLY 1098CC CRANK & RODS – std size does not need grinding just a polish £50. And set of 1098 con rods excellent £50.
Roger Friend email
AND ANOTHER LENHAM GTO HERE IN THE UK – FOR SALE
Following on from the news of Damon Don’s Lenham GTO below, I heard (via Alan Anstead) of another GTO owned by James Pitt.
Another coincidence is that this one has also been converted to wind-up windows. James bought the car in the spring of this year, intending to restore it with the help of his 16 year old son. However, he now realises that this is not now going to happen and due to lack of time and his limited facilities at home he now wishes to sell it on. According to the DVLA the car is a 948cc Austin Healey first registered on the 17th July 1961. He has the V5 and all the numbers match up. “What makes this car unusual is that it is fitted with a Lenham GTO Kamm Tail, which was produced in very small numbers back in the 1960’s (only 12 ever made I believe?)”. James has had the engine running and this together with the smooth case gearbox appear to be original to the car. A previous owner has also welded in new floors, which he says look good. He goes on to say: “The not so good news is that I am fairly sure that the car has been re-tubbed into a later Austin Healey body. If you look at the attached pictures (copies awaited) you will notice that the car has wind-up windows, which were not offered on the Mk1. It also has later suspension. Further investigation shows that the rear spring hangers are in a poor state of repair and need replacing”.
If restoring this project car appeals to you please contact James via email.
LENHAM GTO DOWN UNDER
REMEMBER THAT LENHAM GTO ADVERTISED FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO?
It was said to be based on a 1958 Sprite yet had much later wind-up windows, etc. Well, I have now heard from its new owner, Damon Don in Melbourne: ” Hi Martin, I recently purchased a 1958 Healey Bugeye and it has been updated in the 1960’s with one of the original Lenham GTO bodies and Mk3 wind-up window doors etc. My plan is to refit the correct early doors and windscreen etc. The car’s chassis number is AN5 / 6006. The car is an ex racer and has been in Europe and America and now in Australia”. I asked him whether the bodyshell is in fact van early one with quarter elliptic rear suspension and pointed out he will need to modify the scuttle anbd change the B posts to convert it back, to which I received: “The body is genuine 1958. The scuttle has been modified by cutting a little section out for the wind up window doors. It does have quarter elliptic rear springs. It has an early Bugeye dash that’s been wrapped in vinyl and slightly modified. I have found two Australian CAMS Historic racing plaques on the car from 1991 and 1992. The guy Ii bought it from didn’t know much about it but a guy I spoke to last night has confirmed it is an ex-racer and it has been converted from RHD to LHD and then back to its current RHD configuration, so it has definitely been in the USA. There is also a sticker from the East coast of America to confirm this. The gentleman I spoke with last night here in Australia said its period correct and was done around 1966. Does that sound right to you? Apparently there were only 12 cars bodies built?” I believe there were about a dozen GTO bodies produced but as to the exact year I am not sure – I will ask Dave Matthews who knows a lot on this subject.
ARCHERS SEBRING COUPE KIT FOR SALE
I had an email yesterday (17th) from Nick Barnes who bought an Archers kit back in 2010 but having acquired both a Lenham Le Mans and a Lenham GT he has now come to the conclusion that he is not going to get around to building a Sebring and has decided to sell on his kit. I have asked for more details but if anyone is interested please contact Nick by email. SOLD
FROM PETER JACKSON
I passed on Bryan Allart’s snippet to Peter Jackson and received the following back from him: “It is amazing how old connections keep coming out of the woodwork!! Give my regards to Bryan when you next contact him. I had a lot to do with dear old Danny Margulies over the years. We did the Tour of Corsica together in his Sprite (rather briefly as he put it into a wall fairly early on !!). I did buy a lot of cars from him over the years – innumerable Lancia Aurelias, 3 Allards and a 550 Spyder Porsche, it would be nice to own some of them again. The Sprite goes well, it spent 100 hours in the hands of Paul Woolmer being tidied up !! I have not used it a lot as I have had the TR8 back in action and it is rather more comfortable for my old age. How is your supercharger working out? I find that the extra torque is nice for road use”. [Agreed, MEI]
FROM BRYAN ALLART – NEW INFORMATION ABOUT 2824 MV
– the ex-Dan Margulies Speedwell Sprite.
He says: “In the thumbnail of the Sprite, on the right side of the page after it was rolled at Nurburgring, it shows images of Jay Chamberlain in the foreground, myself attempting to get the car into some sort of race worthy condition, while Dan Margulies casts a a watchful eye in the background. The editorial states that Richard Melville was probably driving the car at the time. That is not so. Jay Chamberlain was at the wheel and claimed the roll was due to a blown front tyre. That also is incorrect” . [It’s amazing what new info comes out of the woodwork half a century later, isn’t it? I have amended the web page accordingly]
MOTORSPORT ASSOC NEWS
David Scothorn spotted this Sebring Rep on pages 22 and 23 of the Nov 2016 MSA News. Anyone know whose it is? Reg No. seems to end 217E.
Feedback please.
PROGRESS ON SEBRING SIDE-SCREENS
I am pleased to report that our engineer is making good progress on the 13 sets of side-screens he has in the pipeline. He is waiting for some more of the laser-cut polycarbonate and more of the window handles which Andrew has ordered. Hopefully it should not be long now before a few sets of side-screens are delivered. Andrew also told me that he is currently laying-up a Sebring bonnet for Marcus Fellowes’ alloy fastback so maybe we have the beginnings of an Archers resurgence ?
PIERRE ON 2080 PO: “
Last September when my car was shown at the annual vehicle display at Goodwood house a gentleman approached me and told me that he used to know the owner of 2080 PO and had….
… some photos of it which I attach. One is at a trial in Ovingdean , another an autotest on the Brighton sea-side and the last one some kind of autotest in a farmyard at Staplefield… Not very good quality but the car is recognisable and I thought they were fun…the story of 2080 PO is till resurfacing… Pierre”
FEMI’S BRAKES:
“I seem to have completed my front brake modification. I have been at it for some time. If anyone is interested I have attached the pictures. I used the standard Midget brake disc with a Wilwood Powerlite caliper and made some brackets out of 8mm laser-cut mild steel. I had to take the ‘Ears’ off the dust cover but I will fold new ones to replace it. Hope it is of use to the members of page”.
STEPHEN BOWEN ON 6666 NK:
“6666NK was my first Sprite which I got in April 1964 and ran untill October 1966 when someone drove into it with an A35. I sold the body and the number plate keeping the engine and gearbox and with the insurance money bought WJB707 in November 1966 – exactly 50 years ago”. [After Ian Hall the car was raced by Bob Beaumont, and then Nigel Bance]
NEW/OLD PHOTOS FOUND AT THE SHOW BY GRAHAM BISH
Graham has kindly sent me these 3 photos pointing out: “The picture of RAM35 did not have any information on the back and the marks are from the original negative or enlarger. GOO1 has no information bar the photographer is B.F.E. Clark, Hampton Middlesex. Looks to be a MK11 with a Sebring bonnet and the rear arches rounded. The sideways Frogeye looks to be 6666NK with it’s one headlight. It’s taken by the same photographer but it does have some writing on the back. I think reads: F. Preston 4/5/1969. “I am flatt loosing it!” Was it Mallory Park? There was a sports car race there on that day.You have a picture of this car leading TZA238 at Crystal Palace the same year on TZA’s page. I hope you find them interesting”. [Graham has since sent me a copy of the writing on the back of the Ian Hall photo and I believe it reads: Thruxton 4/7/1969 Ian Hall losing it!]
I note that on the door it reads ‘Ian Hall’. Ian raced that car for several seasons both in the UK and in Europe. Who raced GOO1?
Emryn & Pauline Jones’ supercharged Sebring looked fabulous on the AHC stand at the NEC [photos Graham Bish & John Egan]
AN ASHLEY HARDTOP
for a later Spridget
on ebay at £595
Expires 17 Nov
A PRIDE & CLARK HARDTOP
for a Frogeye needing new seals
on ebay at £50
Expires 20 Nov
ALUMINIUM MIDGET PROJECT
After Douglas Anderson asked me to advertise the alloy Midget for sale (see a few rows down, below) I was unsure what was happening to his interesting project and after I made an enquiry about this he explains: ” You will be pleased to know that the Project is very much alive. There are two reasons why I am selling the aluminium prototype. Firstly I need to raise finance to complete the project and secondly, the next version of ADO 34/50 is a refinement of the aluminium car which can be more readily productionised. We are now at the stage where the 1/5 scale clay model has been completed and some of the unresolved issues with the aluminium car have been resolved, for example we now have a production windscreen which can be bought ‘off the shelf’ at a reasonable price. The next stage is to scan the model and make a full size buck to produce production quality moulds. We are aiming to launch the car towards the end of next year. We are also doing some testing of alternative power units and looking at a simple and affordable IRS which can be bolted onto the existing pick up points of a Midget. I will keep you updated as we progress with the development of the project. Thanks again for your continued interest. Regards Douglas”.
FROGEYE WITH DHMC HARDTOP ON EBAY
Currently being offered on ebay at Buy-Now price of £2700 this Frogeye appears to have a DHMC/Jensen hardtop. Probably not worth paying that just for the hardtop but might be a worthwhile project. Expires 20th Nov [Seems to have ended early, – on 11th]
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS
Andrew Nodwell in New Zealand has “a pair of Armstrong “22” lever arm adjustable shocks, with a big rotating knob on each one and in good used condition…I only removed them from my Morris Minor convertible a couple of days ago as I am putting it back to ‘as factory’.” If anyone is interested in these please contact Andrew via email.
LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW OPENS TODAY (FRIDAY 11th NOV)
I will not be going this year and would therefore be grateful if someone who does would note any Sebring Sprites on display and recommend to whom the Ian Ashfield/Brian Archer shield might be presented this year. Photos would be helpful. Thank you.
Unique aluminium bodied Midget on rolling chassis.
Offers over £10,000.
Further details from Douglas Anderson email: dglanderson1@yahoo.co.uktelephone: 01382 731755.
NOW SOLD
Bryn Rossiter has a smooth-case gearbox which “might be of interest to early Sprite/Midget fans for a resto or to go on the spares shelf. It came from a 948 Midget so would provide closer ratios for a Frogeye. I had it totally re-manufactured by a transmission specialist at the end of the summer and it has been stored, unused, since. I am looking for £565 ono outright sale which represents a saving of more than £300 over the going rate. The remote is a Goldseal BMC and could be thrown in, if the offer is a good one! Collection/arrange courier from Wilts or, possibly, Lincs. It is on Ebay but, if you think it merits a mention as a service to your followers, please, do so. A pic is attached — with more on request… Bryn’s email
MIKE CURTIS couldn’t resist dashing round to the paint shop to see his newly painted Sebring 1367 VU in Aston Martin Silver Birch, after 8 years hard graft. Now the fun begins.
TIFOSI PRICE LIST
Jason Elliott of Halls Garage has supplied me with a list of prices for their Sebring Replica. I will be asking him exactly what is included in each item for clarification.
TIFOSI SS at
HALLS GARAGE
Folkingham Road, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire,
PE10 0NS
Tel. 01778 570286
Fax 01778 570540
Email: steve@hallsgarage.co.uk
ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRADING A FASTBACK REPLICA KIT FOR AN ORIGINAL W & P HARDTOP?
Bill Prout in the States is interested in selling his W & P Sebring hardtop which stands him in at over US$ 5000. He has been in hospital recently and is experiencing difficulty getting in and out of the car with the hardtop on. He thinks an option might be to fit an Archers Fastback body which would increase the door/window opening. The W & P top is in excellent condition. Bill’s car ran recently at the Lime Rock Park Fall Festival, “to much success driven by my friend and great driver (OK so he is a Brit) to four race finishes and second in FIA 1300cc cars to 1964, to a lovely Alfa Romeo Zagato”. Contact Bill by email
MORE PHOTOS OF THE WG-BRITISH RACING FASTBACK
This time from Flavien, who has sent in some taken by his friend, JM Cattenot, at the show. Anyone know who owns this car? Is it an Archers Replica – I presume so. Feedback please.
CAR COVERS FROM MIKE CURTIS
“As my car will soon be back from paint, I am looking at a car cover for it. Ages ago I made a mock up, which is heavily tailored to suit the standard curves of a Sebring front with a Frogeye rear end and coupe top. I have arranged to meet a pal who is in the design team of a manufacturer, local to me. I was wondering if there might be an appetite amongst fellow Sebring owners for a larger order? I could no doubt adapt this to fit fastbacks, but I’ll have to ‘borrow’ / visit someone with one of these cars, so I can tailor it to fit! Not sure of final cost but possibly c £350? These could be coloured/embroidered to suit an individual car. I believe lead in times are likely to be 4 – 6 weeks from order. I wondered if you might like to circulate a note enquiring if anyone else is interested? I could send you a photo of the one I get done in due course, in which case it might be better to wait – realistically it’ll be in the new year, allowing for manufacture”.
ANY ONE FANCY A TAILORED COVER FOR THEIR SEBRING please send Mike an email.
577 DNX TO HAVE A WINTER REFRESH
Owner ALAN ANSTEAD tells me:
“The Sebring is at the bodyshop for several weeks. The bonnet slammed down when a gust of wind caught it and a large star crack appeared. Also I have never been happy with the hardtop/body joint. Archers filled over the joint and it continually cracks due to body flex. Possibly would not occur if I had a roll cage. The top is coming off and the joint will have an exposed black seal. Then a full respray to freshen it. All I then need is the correct sidescreens!!!
A Canadian journalist wants to do an article on my car for M.G.Enthusiast when next he comes to U.K. He saw the car at Angouleme this year and contacted me to ask who owned it.
Hopefully it will look good for next year’s Alpine Miglia – a joint effort between me and Spridget.CH. You can read of this years run at www.masckent.org “.
LAURENT DERANCOURT
spotted the WG-BRITISH RACING Sebring Fastback Replica
at the exhebition EpoqAuto in Lyon (France), yesterday.
458 STJ – BEN TYER’S BARN FIND IS UP FOR SALE
at least it was but I now see its sale has ended – must have found a buyer very quickly. Asking price was £24,995 on ebay
FROM WILL GARRETT:
“I purchased DTA 949C on the 20th of June 2016 as my first car! Being heavily involved with classic cars from a young age I started up a YouTube and Instagram page called ‘Theclassiccarlife’ and the little Sprite fits right in! A collection video and first drive is already live online! I have huge plans for the car and my end goal is to turn it into a full race/hillclimb car that’s FIA approved but still road legal. For the meantime however the Speedwell will be my daily driver and all my adventures and the crazy experience of running a classic car not only every day but as my first car will be documented on my YouTube channel! Since purchasing the car I’ve had no major problems and have been enjoying it thoroughly. However shortly after purchasing the car a rather large fuel leak meant I had to remove the fuel tank and reseal the opening where the float penetrates the tank. This however was all in a days work and since then the car has run sweet and appeared at various shows including the Warren Concours d’Elegance! I hope you find the time to follow my adventures in the car on YouTube, I’m still considering the idea of mounting two spotlight on the Speedwell!”
GOODWOOD 26th September 1959 – 5 Lap Scratch Race
10 little Frogeyes with drivers including Paddy Gaston, John Venner-Pack (VP 7) and Lord Strathcarron sat on the grid. Only 1 of the 5 Lotus Sevens managed to get up in the top 5 finishers. Result: 1. John Venner-Pack; 2. Ken Mackenzie; 3. Paddy Gaston; 4. John Derisley (Lotus 7) and 5. D.Watts. Photo: Peter Higgins.
FROM DAVID MORYS:
“Only got a little time to run [expires Sunday 18.41] but very rare Healey speedboat [on ebay] might interest somebody in the Healey world who either has pots of cash, a boat building background/business or a talented DIY expert! [Pictured right].
Last weekend (Saturday) I went with a good few people and mainly big Healeys to Prescott for the tree planting ceremony outside the Bugatti Club’s office in memory of Alan Cameron. His wife, children and grand children were all in attendance and the large turnout was testimony to just how popular and well liked Alan was. Alan took on the completion of a Leaf Green Frogeye project he had taken in (it had rot and a bad respray and was a non original red) and finished it for me. To give you an example of his kindness and professionalism when he test drove the car the back axle was noisy (not his work) and he replaced the differential with one he had in stock free of charge! Regards David.”
DAVE WOOD OF ORSON EQUIPMENT ON SEBRING REAR HUBS
“I do not know what Moss offer – but looking at the image on their website I can see several differences: thread; chamfer; material and finish; origin of manufacture. Not sure if the drilling is the same. We have manufactured from the drawings and the initial batch was offered by Archers Garage. The previous owner (of the company) to myself would not have made a “special” if he could have supplied a standard. We have had no issues with the product we offer. I’ll look at the internal for the lip”.
KAI ERIKSEN HAS SEBRING PANELS FOR SALE
“As you may remember I had my car rear end and roof rebuilt in aluminum. These fibreglass panels may be of interest to our Sebring Sprite friends. I will sell them for a reasonable price as the freight cost from Norway could be expensive”.
NOW SOLD
REAR SPLINED HUBS
Stephen bowen points out: Similar rear hubs to those of a Sebring are available ex stock from Moss Europe, part no RCK103R or L but at a cost of £42.50 retail ex, a small price difference from the £360 of those on ebay! Steve’s trade price is 31.88 ex.” The Moss hubs lack the lip on the inside for location on the Girling brake drum often not used and the inside is flat”. [I’m not sure whether this hub has the correct fine thread for the spinner? MEI]
FEMI ODUTOLU’s FASTBACK REP IS PAINTED
and rather a nice shade of red too.
ON A TARMAC RALLY IN JAPAN
this Ashley/WandP bodied Sprite still bears its UK registration 68 FAK
[Yasuji Morizumi – Facebook]
STIRLING MOSS at speed in the 3 Hour race at Sebring 1962 driving 9254 WD
[JWB – Facebook]
Sebring 1962 and Steve McQueen hot on the heels of a Porsche 356 during the 12 Hour race, in the Healey ‘works’ alloy coupe 1411 WD.
[Healeysport]
MIKE CURTIS‘S LONG AWAITED SEBRING REP is in the spray booth and he should have her back at home for assembly during November!!
Colin McCabe’s 1380cc Frogeye receives an Ashley Fastback hardtop. Nice J A Pearce wheels [Facebook]
JASON ELLIOTT of HALLS GARAGE will be displaying their TIFOSI SS at the forthcoming Classic Car Show at the NEC
David Harris in his Sebring Sprite H 221 during 1960. One third of “Team 221” along with the Sebring Sprites of Cyril Simson – S 221 and John Sprinzel’s X 221.
NIK AVEYARD’S W & P SEBRING GT2
A couple of new photos shown recently on Facebook.
KARSTEN STELK recently published these documents from Downton Engineering back in the 60s from which he says: “if you are thinking what to do with your Sprite. Here is the way to go!!!”
STEVE NASH & KERMIT, HIS SEBRING REBUILD:
“Having lost enthusiasm for my ‘Sebring’ build in recent months, I have regained momentum! Been chopping up the CCK bonnet in an attempt to get it to fit roughly right”. See his photos on https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1382565592057948&type=3
Nice picture of the CCK Lenham Le Mans at a recent race meeting in the hands of Rainford Jnr.
Healeysport published this photo on Facebook 
– taken at Sebring in 1961. “Pat Moss, John Sprinzel, Stirling Moss and Bruce McLaren confer, and swap notes following practice, while the press hover”.
Wm Severin Thompson recently purchased this “replica/tribute of the McQueen’s ’62 Sebring Sprite”. He has a number of Sprites including this project with Ashley top and Kellison bonnet (right).
Library photo
DAVID SCOTHORN HAS SEVERAL BOOKS HE IS INTERESTED IN SELLING
The first is a copy of the 2nd edition of John Sprinzel’s “Modified Motoring” in
good condition with good dust jacket, signed by the author in 2013. £45.
Next is a folded, otherwise good, original BMC copy of Sprite Mks 1 &2 AKD 1627A Drivers Handbook also signed by John Sprinzel, and last is a fair condition Olyslager Manual. 1969 reprint. He is looking for £60 for the three, or £45 for Modified Motoring and £25 for the other two, UK post free. Contact David by email.
A PAIR OF ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCKERS are being offered on ebay for the 2nd time. Asking £450
EXPIRES TODAY (2 Nov) UNSOLD
PHIL GARDNER finally gave up waiting for his side-screens and made his own. That will help distribute the 13 being made at present.
