Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird says: “Remember, remember, the fifth of November… 28 years ago today I purchased the remains of the ex-Andrew Hedges, Sprinzel alloy coupe – 410 EAO – for the bargain price of £100.”
And I hear Jim Lowry has put the restored car on the market again – still looking for a 6 figure sum. As someone said on Facebook “Jim hasn’t lost hius sense of humour!”
Stephen Bowen
“Hello Martin, It is with deep sorrow that I saw today on your site that Stephen passed away this week end. He has been a great helping hand in my replica project, offering a frogeye shell for sale and kindly organizing the delivery of Archers’ parts to France. I have fond memories of the several trips we made to his place in Belgium ; always too short trips as Stephan loved to share many many great stories around a cup of tea, regarding Sebrings, period racing… Or during the Midget 50 celebrations at Burghley House where he gave me many details on the different cars on display and introduced me to Sebring enthousiats. My sincere condoleances to his family, Stephen will be missed. Renaud Vendel”
HEATED WINDSCREENS
I received an enquiry for a replacement windscreen and on contacting Andrew (Forster) learned that he has some heated ones in stock should anyone be interested.
DHMC SIDESCREENS
A number of people have been very patient in waiting for new sidescreens. Unfortunately the guy who was to supply them has been seriously ill so we may have to try elsewhere. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know more.
I SEE FROM FACEBOOK
that Steve Nash’s Sebring has suffered an engine failure:
“Kermit…. soon to be back after blowing up his engine! Pity it’s just as the weather closes in!”
PETER MAY ENGINEERING’s Dominic Mooney is selling his Modsport Lenham GT. A piece of British racing history, this car is one of three cars originally built in period for use in Modsport and Special Saloon racing. Based upon a Lenham GT Sprite silhouette, the car has a bespoke space frame chassis and fibreglass body and is powered by a full race 1380cc A-Series engine, Ford 4 speed gearbox and English Ford rear axle. It features disc brakes front and rear as well as coil-over suspension. The car is eligible for the current CSCC SPECIAL SALOONS & MODSPORTS SERIES as well as a number of other sports and GT classes. It is to be sold complete with the original body moulds to allow additional bodywork to be made if required.
For further details regarding this car and its history please contact:
Peter May Engineering
OXFORD UNIVERSITIES MOTORSPORT FOUNDATION
Christmas came early at OUMF, when their bespoke student-designed Sebring Sprite fuel tank arrived, beautifully brought to life by GDM. You can see it for yourself this weekend at the NEC Classic Motor Show with their Sprite and their now well-known Riley 1.5.
This is Tifosi’s new product – a copy of the Speedwell Monza bonnet originally designed by Frank Costin. It comes with a single air intake aperture or can be supplied with three intakes, has a radiator ducting panel, Aero catches and complete hinge kit. £780 inc VAT.
For more information contact Steve on steve@hallsgarage.co.uk or 01778 570286.
Jason Elliott‘s name has been added to the Sebring Sprite Family
Ex-works Sebring Sprite (1964) FOR sale in the USA ~ US$185,000 UK reg: 776 KNX
“Its race was rather short lived, retiring with a broken axle in the 9thlap. The sister car went on to win the class, beating Abarths, Alpine Renaults and other Sprites. On March 24, 1964, after attending the race, a BMC dealer, Stephen Pitcairn, wrote to Donald Healy congratulating him on the excellent showing of the Sebring Sprite prototypes, and asked if he could purchase one of the racers. Healey Works did not usually sell their Prototypes because, has Donald said in his response letter, “prototypes are hand built and considerably more expensive.” But since he was a BMC dealer, he made an exception. The Sprite was recommissioned with some street equipment and shipped off to Pennsylvania. Stephen campaigned the Sprite in a few local hill climb events and retired it with just 900 miles on the odometer.
For further information please contact Daniel Rapley on: 203-470-5298 or by email at: danielrapley@gmail.com
A very sad day
I heard yesterday that our good friend Stephen Bowen passed away at the weekend. Until very recently he owned the ex-works, ex-Ian Walker Sprinzel-bodied coupe registered WJB 707. He struggled with a muscle wasting disease from an early age but fought on to live to the grand old age of 74 though his last 10 months in hospital were not kind to him. We will miss his regular visits from Belgium for parts sourced all over the UK when he would often call for a cup of tea and a chat. Farewell old friend. Our sincere condolences to Sylvia and the Bowen family.
“His farewell will be on Saturday November 11 , at 11.00 in Lichtaart, Belgium”
[Photos left of Steve examining the chassis during its restoration and on display at CCK Historic when it was on the market for sale. It now resides in Germany]
FROGEYE BEATS THE ESCORTS in Historic Rally (as spotted in Classic Car Weekly by John Baggott)
An unusual;ly smart Arkley and Geoff Dixon’s rather nice Ashley GT circulated at Goodwood on a recent test day.
