Mike Wylie quickly spotted the article (left) which was taken from Dennis Ortenburger’s book about Frank Costin’s designs, shown right. See Mike’s comment on the story under “Your Comments”
Marathon Mislaid by Richard Bensted-Smith, 1958 (thanks to Christoph Klamert)
“The Speedwell Sprites”
An article kindly provided by Neil Anderson
Mike Wylie has kindly offered to liaise with owner Ronnie White to prepare a web page for this very special Sebring,
52 LPH.
Gleaming supercharger on Nick Conklin’s standard-bodied Sebring. News and 10 more recent pictures are now on
his web-page
A new picture sent in by Tom Coulthard, of his brother’s former rally car WER 354. I plan to prepare a page on this car shortly.
This very unusual bonnet adorns a Sprite recently re-imported from the USA by Robert Johnson of Chapel End Cars and now FOR SALE:
John Hill kindly sent this picture of his Healey
Marine beer mats (which he doesn’t want to part with).
Correction
Lauren Derancourt says that Geoff Dixon’s bonnet is an Ashley one but with a modified bulge. Compare with his
Alistair Gilchrist brought this rather odd-looking Italian “Sebring” to my attention for which a wopping £68,500 is being asked. Link
Neil Anderson told me about this Lenham GT, 888 HPA – being offered in an H & H auction, with a long race-rally history. Link
1921 to 2011
I received the sad news this afternoon that the creator of the WSM cars had passed away just two months before his 90th birthday. (Pictured below)
Douglas’s son Tony sent me the following touching message this afternoon (12 April 2011):
“Thought I’d better keep you posted. Although I couldn’t take Dad to Brands Hatch on Saturday 9th April, his WSM’s placed 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 10th in practice for the HRDC Grand Touring Greats. I telephoned him and it took a while to get such a simple sentence out as I had’nt realised how it would effect me so to tell him. I arrived back at 5.45am on Monday morning in the Isle of Man and went to see him last night. We leafed through an album he’d started with recent pix of the cars and occasions, and he reminded me he was driving to France next week for a wedding and champagne tour, and that the Jodel Mascaret was nearly finished. I fixed his television and said goodnight and that I’d see him tomorrow when he would give me the guest list for his 90th planned on 16th June. I’m afraid this morning he collapsed, in company and was taken to hospital but they were unable to revive him. The heart that’s been operating for so many years on two or three cylinders finally cried ‘enough’. I miss him already. Kind regards, Tony”
I am sure you will all wish to join me in sending Tony, the Wilson-Spratt family and all Douglas’s many friends, our sincere condolences following his death. A great designer, innovator and inventor of both cars and aircraft he was a lovely man who will be much missed. He added greatly to the Sebring Sprite scene both in the 60’s and during their more recent Revival years. Martin.
Brilliant opening round for the new HRDC “Grand Touring Greats” series at BRANDS HATCH on 9/10th April
Click here for a full report, photos and result sheet
2791MP
RAM 36
WANTED
Christoph Klamert from Austria is looking for a set of 8″ rear brakes from a Riley 1.5 for his Sebring. Can anyone help?
XXC 818
TONY STRAKER – 2791 MP
Mark Straker is trying to discover what became of his father Tony’s Sebring Sprite which he campaigned in autocross and stage events in the South of England, before selling it in 1975.
RAM 36 in action (?1962)
driven by Barry Wood.
It was discovered last year that this Speedwell GT was actually registered 6194 MM. Thanks to Gary Lazyrus, Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird and Tom Coulthard for this research.
BUTCH GILBERT’s car.
Recent research has revealed that Butch’s 1959 works Sebring car was in fact No.54 and not 53. New photos and text on his new page
XXC 818 has now returned to Trevor McIlroy’s home after painting. He hopes to have it fully assembled for Midget 50 in June. He is keeping a diary of the build which I hope to display on the website in due course.
Neil Thomas from Tenby is hoping to build a new Lenham Le Mans, but in the meantime has kindly sent me these excellent photos from the 2003 Goodwood Revival Meeting.
The WSM camp
The WSM MGB
James Willis’ Midget Coupe
Brian Archer and S221
Thomassi’s Speedwell GT…
with 505BZ in background.
