SEBRING BONNET HINGE FITMENT
“I used Sikaflex on my Sebring to fit the rear body, where I used it in conjunction with pop rivets. It was very good but where I used it on its own it became unstuck over time and this was in an area with no torsional strength. I think for any type of hinge on fibreglass, bolting and plating at the back is the only way to go. Ian Watts”.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO PHIL ZAMLYNSKI WHO HAS JUST GOT HIS NEW SEBRING REP ON THE ROAD
Is this the first Sebring Replica to be completed in the States? See the full spec here.
THANKS TO CLIVE COOKE
for these action shots of David Abram and Steve Casson taking part in the Tunbridge Wells Motor Club’s sprint at Goodwood last weekend.
CAN ANYONE HELP BOB HEPPELL WITH THIS ONE?
“What is the best bonding agent for fibreglass to metal – I was going to use Sikaflex 91 to fix the front opening bonnet hinge.”
Feedback please
JAMIE COIA is offering this painting of his late father Ronnie’s cars for sale on Facebook. Unsurprising the current owner of OFH175 Mark Warne has already expressed interest.
Finishing touches to Pete Taylor’s streamliner
RICHARD ROOKS is working on some lovely side-view drawings of the various Sprites including the W & P Sebring: He is looking for side view photos of Ashley, WSM, Lenham etc: “The greater distance from the side would give me better view of the front and tail details (like a mechanical drawing). Here is the update version of the Sebring”. If you can assist please send photos to him by email.
FROM JOE ARMOUR:
“Martin, as Jim Dougherty mentions in the photo of the ‘works’ cars on the transporter ready for the trip to Sebring there was obviously another transport vehicle as the spare Healey 3000 57FACc is also not shown. This car is now in South Australia garaged with a 100S”
ALAN ANSTEAD:
” The changes to MOT and VHI is causing quite a stir. Definition and interpretation are problematic. What is a kit of parts? A custom hardtop could be a kit of parts viz top and fittings and would most certainly change the vehicles identity which is why there are so many different styles. Is not your’s & mine style of Sebring merely a hardtop? Is there a rule that says a hardtop cannot be left on throughout the year(s)? If the rivets across the bulkhead make it permanent then they can be substituted for other fittings to make fitting ‘temporary’.”
TIFOSI OPEN DAY
Jason Elliott reports ” Our TIFOSI, Midget and Sprite Open Day is on 14th October 2017 at Hall’s Garage Morton Lincolnshire between 11:00 to 4:00″.
DAVID SCOTHORN AGAIN:
“So, under the new rules, you can get a ’59 Frogeye losing it’s MOT exemption because it has a modification done in 1989, yet a 1962 Mk2 gaining one if its mods were in 1987.
How on earth is this going to work in the real world?
What ‘professional’ would put their name to it?”
ROGER FRIEND:
“I think this sums up the new DVLA regulations, this will be the final nail in the coffin for the cottage industry that makes these replicas and parts”.
[ Let’s hope not. MEI ]
RTL 304 FOR SALE WITH PENDINE IN OXFORDSHIRE
I couldn’t resist reproducing these beautiful photos of RTL – surely one of the best looking of all the Sebrings [they’re all lovely though aren’t they?] despite the original owner calling it an Austin-Healey 1000GT and saying that the Sebrings were the enemy! Now on the market at £75,000 http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C914540
BEING OFFERED ON EBAY and stated to be a Sebring Sprite Formula Junior Head, block Crank etc (but for a 1071 engine which was transverse) at £2750
“Having a “power to weight ratio of more than 15% in excess of its original design, unless such a modification took place before 1988”.
This must cover just about every Sprite on the road these days not to mention the 1000s of other classic cars which have undergone even minor upgrades in nthe last 30 years! MEI
MARK WILSON:
Hi Martin, Re: Historic vehicle classification.
Is there an assumption being made here that the pre 88 rule applies to all criteria for VHI rather than just the ‘more than 15% increase in power’. The criteria for ‘substantial change’ depriving a vehicle of Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI) status includes the following paragraph:-(https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/644962/vehicles-of-historical-interest-substantial-change-guidance.pdf)
‘is a kit conversion, where a kit of new parts is added to an existing vehicle, or old parts are added to a kit of a manufactured body, chassis or monocoque bodyshell changing the general appearance of the vehicle.’
Is that not a definition of a Sebring Sprite to name but one car. I don’t see mention of exemptions where the conversion was done before a certain date. Best regards, Mark Wilson”
“Martin- I certainly enjoyed seeing the photo of the transporter loaded with the Team cars and headed for Sebring 1963, but one team car is conspicuously missing. It’s the Sprite prototype 58 FAC driven by John Colgate and Clive Baker. Unfortunately 58 FAC was destroyed in an accident later that year at Le Mans. As an interesting side note Stirling Moss was the Austin Healey team captain for the 1963 Sebring 12 Hour race. He was unable to participate as a driver due to a recent injury.
Many thanks for your continued efforts, the website is really appreciated! Jim Dougherty”
David Scothorn: “Re: 40 Year MOT exemption.I would like to know what/ who is ‘professional advice’ and who polices it”.
[GOOD POINT]BOB HEPPELL is “looking for set of Frogeye Sprite steel wheels, with hub caps if possible. Will buy or exchange for new set (4) Mini- lites telephone 01386 860499 or email
MOT EXEMPTION FOR 40 YEAR OLD VEHICLES
Graham Bish asks: “Did you read that the DFT have finally announced in making 40 year old vehicles exempt form MOT testing. This is unless they are substantially modified or on a Q Plate. https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles“
Stuart Brown of 3D Engineers Ltd says on LinkedIn: “The DVLA has today published draft guidance re Vehicles of Historical Interest (VHI) that have undergone “Substantial Change”. Proposed implementation is 20th May 2018 and it must be remembered that the consultation period came and went in 2016. This is happening. Only changes to detail remain.
The draft guidance builds on the existing eight point rule system, the variation of which is not known, but does appear to lean towards being more onerous. Substantially changed classics are broadly classed as:
* Having a “power to weight ratio of more than 15% in excess of its original design, unless such a modification took place before 1988”.
* Have been issued with a Q plate or a kit car, reconstructed classic or kit conversion.
DVLA today urged owners of cars that may fit in the above categories to “seek professional advice”.
More worrying is DVLA proposing that “where the vehicle keeper is re-licensing their vehicle on-line it is intended that an additional question be asked whether the vehicle has a current MOT and the vehicle keeper will be required to declare that their vehicle has NOT been substantially changed since 1988. Appropriate safeguards will be in place that will prevent a vehicle keeper from declaring the vehicle is over 40 years of age and progressing to the next stage of the licensing process before first declaring or not as to whether their vehicle has been substantially changed.”
The above means that if you have a modified car or modify a car, every year you will be asked to confirm if the vehicle has been “substantially changed” since 1988. Ominously the Department for Transport stated that “safeguards will be in place” to ensure compliance”.
So, how does all this affect those of us who have built Sebring Replicas, or Lenhams, or WSMs since 1988? If asked the question when re-licencing your car can you truthfully say it has not been radically altered since 1988. My own car retains its original bodyshell, albeit with many new panels but has a supercharged 1098 attached to a Toyota T50 gearbox. I think I get 9 points so am OK on that score. I should be very interested to hear what others of you have to say on this. Feedback please.
FROM STEVE NASH:
“Interesting to see the comments on wiper arms. I chose to park mine to the left to keep them out of driver line of sight. I used the TEX adjustable bayonet arms and 11″ blades. Looking at photos of other cars, it would seem I’m in the minority though”.
CLASSIC UPDATES & MONTE NEWS FROM DOUGLAS ANDERSON
” Here are the latest Classic Updates and Monte News. As you will see, I have put the ADO on the front cover with an update. I am now informed that the engine revs to 9000rpm and develops 120 bhp. I said in the previous update that it was 8000 and 100bhp!!!! It will be a very lively car”. NEWS on PDF
A QUESTION RE: FITTING SPOTLAMPS TO A SEBRING
” I have a pair of Lucas 5¾” Lucas rear-mounted spotlamps. Looking at historical pictures they look to be widely fitted to Sebrings and Frogeye’s just like yours Martin. As my bonnet is fiberglass I am concerned that the central mount will put stress on the bonnet due to vibration and ultimately crack the surrounding fiberglass. Can someone please advise what they have done to reinforce the mounting area and stop this happening? Pictures would be excellent, Many Thanks, Graham Bish”. Feedback please.
[To be honest – I just bolted mine on and they’ve been on and off the car over the last 25 years with no sign of any stress cracking, thouigh I’m on the 2nd bonnet now. MEI]
“Looking at the Tex web site recommended by Graham, below, the alternatives would seem to be the U80 Range 5.2mm Spoon/Wedge Lock arms (cranked left) which are adjustable between 220mm and 285mm (or the similar A8 Range one) and the B00310 – 10″ blades”. [MEI]
FROM GRAHAM BISH – HELP WITH WIPERS
“Your arms look to be the later type with the wedge lock head screw fix. This will take out any wear on the splines. A good reference is Tex web site: http://www.texautomotive.com/classic_wiper_arms.html The blades and arms are widely available from most AH/MG suppliers and E-bay. I would use the TEX site to find the version required and then do a web search for the best price delivered. Regards, Graham”.
WIPER ARMS AND BLADES FOR SEBRING REPLICA
Can anyone advise Keith Egar where to get these items? Mine are 10″ blades and have cranked adjustable arms about 10.5″ long. Is that what most people use? Where is a good place to buy them? Feedback please.
photo supplied Karsten Stelk
painting by Dennis Wharf
DENNIS WHARF AND THE TARGA FLORIO
Hi Martin, What a fabulous photograph of the 1964 Targa Florio, which Karsten Stelk has sent you. Its difficult to know if it was taken during practice or just prior to the race, but I would say practice. Either way it shows in the foreground two of my favourite cars of all time, the Porsche 904 GTS, this one driven by Herbert Muller/Rayers, which retired on the last lap with engine failure, and the exquisite little Abarth-Simca of Spychger/Riolo, which retired on the second lap with gearbox trouble. In front of the Sprite is the Phil Hill/Bob Bondurant AC Cobra, (retired on lap nine with broken suspension), and in front of that the white Alfa Romeo, of Sabbia/Spampinato, which finished in 24th and last place, plus the Ferrari 330 GT of Bourillo/Bourbon, which finished 10th, and one of the works Ferrari GTO’s, which I think is the Guichet/Facetti entry that retired on the 6th lap also with transmission trouble. Gruelling race the Targa, the Hopkirk/Wisdom Sprite also succumbing on the 4th lap with, as you know, a broken half shaft. Although it was dangerous and we lost many talented young drivers, for me this brief period from around 1962/3 until 1967/8, was simply the most exciting and charismatic for motor sport, especially endurance racing. The cars were beautiful, almost works of art, the pace of development intense, and they sounded wonderful. In addition to those mentioned above were of course other Ferraris, including the 250/275LM’s, and the P cars, various Porsche’s, culminating in the 917 of 1969, the GT40, some beautiful Elva’s, Lola’s, Chevron’s, the list goes on, and not forgetting of course the Jacobs Midget’s. We were so lucky to live through this period. I’ve continued to enjoy endurance racing through its many phases, and still do today, but those cars back then….. I painted a picture depicting the 1964 Targa showing my two favourites battling it out. The Abarth-Simca of Conti/Venturi which lasted until the 6th lap, then went out also with transmission trouble, and the 904GTS of Linge/Balzarini, which finished second. Think I’ve got the cars about right, but the watching group of spectators and trees are a bit suspect! All best wishes Den.
See the car’s web page for more photos
RICHARD PUGH’S FASTBACK SEBRING REPLICA IS UP FOR SALE
In its original ‘Frogeye’ form we rallied the car (with some success) for four years. Kermie then stood at the back of our garage until September 2005 when I met the late Brian Archer (Archers Garage Ltd) at the Goodwood Revival. An expensive meeting! Over the next couple of years the car was totally rebuilt by Archers Garage + transformed into a “Sebring Sprite” with new fastback + Monza bonnet, roll cage, competition engine, close ratio gearbox, disc brakes, alternator etc. Very sadly as the car was nearing completion Brian became ill + sadly passed away. Kermie is therefore the last “Sebring” to have been prepared by Brian. In its second life we enjoined several seasons sprinting + hill climbing with the AHC managing, no less, than to win the Phil Meek handicap trophy in 2010. In 2013 the engine was again rebuilt by Mike Parry of Race Techniques in Cheltenham, but as I got distracted by other things we have not run the car in competition since. £24,750.00
For further information please contact: Richard Pugh by email
PLANNED HOUSE MOVE
As many of you will know, Susan and I have been renovating a cottage in Teesdale in County Durham. Originally intended as an occasional hideaway we subsequently decided on a permanent move there. As a result our Kent home is now on the market (anyone interested in a 2/3 bed character property 4 miles from M25 yet in rural surroundings, having a large 2 car garage/ workshop with heating, plus another large timber garage?) and I have a mountain of Sprite parts to sort out and find new homes for before we can leave. Please forgive any breaks in the flow of the website while all this turmoil gets underway. MEI
FROM JOHN POULTER
Hi Martin, just read the article about WJB and the comments about most original Sebring. I just wondered how 2214 UE would be placed? It still has the original frogeye basic shell (there are still traces of original blue paint and JS fitted the goodies of the period such as the wire wheels, discs and big drums etc. It got its alloy bodywork ( and fibreglass bonnet) by Mike Reid – built by Peels not W & P in late 61 prior to the 62 Racing car Show. Does an original Sebring have to have W&P bodywork? 2214 still wears the alloy panels now straightened after the accident and John Tizard did have an alloy bonnet made but I have seen the original fibreglass one in his back garden! Whilst much of the suspension has been replaced either from the conversion to alloy wheels or due to the accident in 1978 the “essence” of the car is very original. I vote for 2214UE!! Cheers John
MY REPLY:
Yes, of course John, I should have said “The most original of the remaing W & P bodied Sebring Sprites”. As you say there is 2214 UE and also 52 LPH in Ireland – perhaps others. Very many thanks, Martin.
THE TRUTH ABOUT WJB 707’S LONG HISTORY – on PDF
12 NEW shots of Pete Taylor’s amazing Le Mans replica
Trevor McIlroy had a great weekend at the Bo’ness Hill Climb, breaking the class hill record twice & won the class. 16th overall, out of 118 starters. Not bad for a 1959 Sebring Sprite
The above shots show Pete Taylor’s replica of one of the works Le Mans Sprites from 1965 under construction – can’t be long before it’s cruising down the Mulsanne!
All packed up and ready for Sebring 1963. Maarten Engels has 54 FAC today and Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, 9253 WD
ENGINE FOR SALE
Mark Warne has a 1000cc engine for sale. It is currently with Andrew Forster at Aldons. Price & photo follow. Contact Mark can be contacted by email
ARMSTRONG ADJUSTARIDE REAR SHOCKS
Ken Grasing is short of a set of the DAS 9 shockers for one of his 3 cars but has heard that the larger DAS 10 ones designed for the MGB have, on occasion, been fitted to Triumphs fitted initially with the DAS9. “There is a bracket/adapter for fitting the larger shock as the center-to-center dimension of the mounting holes is larger”. Anyone familiar with doing a similar swap on the Sprite? If so Ken would love to hear. Feedback please.
WINDSCREEN & SIDE-SCREENS WANTED
Bob Heppell, who owns Archer Sebring Rep No.17, seeks a Frogeye windscreen and side-screens.
NOW SORTED THANK YOU
SPEEDWELL GT COOLING
Alistair Ross has sent these 2 new photos of Richard Rooks’ engine bay showing his Fiat 1500 engine, now with aluminium radiator: “Richard say that this conversion has cut the running temp by a good 20 deg from a constant 200F to 160/180F”
Andy Actman’s Sebring replica no. 1 – 108 CPX goes up for sale
” We have been asked to help one of our customers find a new home for their Sebring Sprite replica. This very well-known Sprite has had a long and extremely successful competition career over the last 25 plus years”.
Based on an original 1960 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite, this car was the first replica Sebring to be built in 1991. Converted by County Lane Classics using a shell sourced from America, the car was sold the current owner straight after completion. Since then the car has gained extensive competition history, winning many international rallies awards, hillclimb and sprite class win as well as countless class victories racing include overall title honours in the Austin Healey Championship. The car is fitted with a Peter May full race 1380cc engine and straight cut gearbox. It features the original steel rear body, a carbon fibre Sebring hard top, (which is removable), and fibreglass Sebring one piece bonnet. The car also has a spare Sebring front and is fitted with fibreglass Sprite doors. The original steel doors are included within the spares package. It is currently fitted with a polycarbonate screen, but comes with laminated screen as a spare as well. The Sprite is currently fitted with lowered quarter elliptic rear springs with telescopic rear dampers, 600lbs front springs and Peter May uprated lever arm dampers and top link kit. The car has been developed regardless of cost and features a very high specification of components including; a full roll cage, Caterham race seat, plumbed in fire extinguisher, Maniflow exhaust system, front and rear brake bias and separate front and rear racing brake master cylinder. The car will be sold with a comprehensive spares package including diffs, spare cylinder head and numerous spare wheels as well as a host of other parts. This very successful competition Sprite is available for £35,995. Contact us for further details or complete spares package and further details of this well-known and very competitive Sprite.
CONTACT PETER MAY ENGINEERING by email or phone 01905 676 111
FROM ALISTAIR ROSS:
“Reading Douglas Anderson’s comments about trying different engines reminded me of Speedwells using the FIAT 1500cc engines in two of the GT’s, both Richard Rooks car (MM) and my car (HX), these engines made about 75hp. Richards car still has the engine to this day and was the first of the two to be converted, this being done following discussions the then owner Dave Hurn had with Speedwells. My car was also fitted with this type of engine the only difference being that Speedwells cut the chassis rails so the engine would sit lower. Both cars suffered from over heating. Richard has cured this problem by fitting an aluminium radiator and I believe ceramic coating on the exhaust manifold.
Attached are couple of pictures of Richard’s engine in situ, these pictures were take some years ago so don’t show the aluminium rad. HX lost its engine some years ago because of the overheating problem then going back to the ‘A’ series unit”.
SPRITE 60 – AUSTIN-HEALEY CLUB SPRITE 60TH CELEBRATION WEEKEND
AT CHATEAU IMPNEY, DROITWICH, WORCESTERSHIRE
18TH TO 20TH MAY, 2018
Get your booking in now if you want to be there. Read more on the website.
