Sebring 1961 from
‘Vintage RACECAR’ magazine out of US but with Australian and some UK content.
Historic LENHAM LE MANS MG Midget race car for sale. Ian Burford wishes to sell 696 BMO asking price £28,000
See “For Sale” page
RICK DUPUY on buying and sorting his Sebring Rep
See “Your Comments”
1965 Sebring 12 hours
2 super photos on Sports Digest, both by Dave Nicholas, show 770 KNX and DAC 952C, the latter speed-boating
(click, then scroll down)
David Morys spotted ESL 168 at Malvern Classic Car Show on 11th October. According to my records the car belongs to Ian Watts – note the external boot lid. David’s old MGC GT was also in attendance looking splendid as ever, now with an original style steering wheel.
FIA HOMOLOGATION PAPERS
Joe Armour points out there were a considerable number of different homologation papers issued for the Sprite.
These are all listed on this website:
http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/gt-cars#toc7
See also right:
1960-1965 FIA Homologated cars in Group GT
Art. 265 of FIA Appendix “J” ’61
In order to enjoy recognition in the “Grand Touring” category cars will have to be produced at a minimum rate of one hundred (100) identical units as far as mechanical parts and coachwork are concerned in 12 consecutive months.
Chapter IV of Appendix J of 1961 Fia Regulations for Grand Touring Cars
CONGRATULATIONS TO NIKOLAJ MORTENSEN
on winning the Danish Championship in the pre-66 FIA Class in his 1963 MG Midget 1098, with 226 points against some pretty heavy metal – see results sheet opposite.
Follow his progress on YouTube.
A LENHAM GT on the rolling road – photo sent in by Robert Clubbe. Thought to be John Moon’s car?
John Bowman shot this pic of the epic dual between Richard Woolmer and Gordon Elwell at Castle Combe earlier this month. As Gordon said, Richard ‘pipped me to the post’ but I had the satisfaction of fastest lap and a new Sprite lap record. A good result for both of us”.
COLIN BARNETT
has acquired a DHMC hardtop for his Mk1 Midget and recently came across this advert for the sale of Venner-Pack’s Speedwell GT and points out there are 9 other race cars on offer including a D-type at £1495. Those were the days!
EX-WORKS SPRITE FOR SALE
Following the recent death of its owner Kurt Ritthaler 776 KNX is being offered for sale, at $275,000 (£180,000)
The Ex-Marguilies Speedwell GT, 2824MV at “Sprite Spree” 2003 in Pennsylvania, 45th Anniversary of the Bugeye. Photos sent in by Neil Blaney. The car is believed to be for sale.
Mark Straker reports on the restoration of 5435 WD and marvels at the images of his father with the car on YouTube. See “Your Comments”
Pema-bonneted Super-charged Sprite bought by Peter Jackson at H & H auction Duxford (£6,160) and now being fettled by Paul Woolmer
TRIP TO THE HEALEY MUSEUM IN THE NETHERLANDS
On Tues 6th October we set off for Dover and the Dunkerque ferry bound for Holland, in convoy with the Sebring Sprite replica of Bob Blayden with his mate, Russell. They had been forced to wait an extra week to get the car which Bob had shipped from his home in Australia. It rained solidly during our long drive, the 2 little cars plunging through clouds of spray alongside every juggernaut. However we arrived safely at the Van der Valk Hotel in Breukelen and found that we had been followed for some distance by a former owner of RTL 304 who was intrigued to see not just one but 2 Sebring Sprites in his homeland. We dined with Stephen Bowen and Michael Meerlo – they had come in Michael’s Sebring Fastback – a most enjoyable evening. Next day we went off to the museum where Albert Voogd greeted us having generously taken a day off work to open up for us. While the Ozzies viewed the cars and looked around I got down to raiding the extensive archive finding all sorts of gems from the Healey company’s records. Albert took photos, many of those reproducxed here. In the late afternoon he delivered us to the station leaving JJO in the museum for our 4 days in Amsterdam – we made the long drive home in sunshine on Sunday after seeing the museum’s chief, Hans, and his wife briefly for coffee when we picked up the car. Many thanks to Albert and Hans. Bob and Russell went off to the Nurburgring, then to a museum in Stuttgart, before trying out the Stelvio and heading down to Italy to visit Bob’s daughter there. They will be touring Europe for a month before returning to the UK and then flying home.
A recent acquisition is this black Mark 2 Sprite from the USA which Albert and I are studying, above. A very sad tale is that it was bought for a previous owner’s son aged 18 and within days he crashed it, banging his head on the side of the screen, an injury from which he later died. Stored under a tarpaulin for the next 30 years it was eventually restored, having done a total of just over 2,000 miles in its long life. Note the child’s seat.
GROSVENOR SQUARE
in July 1960 where John Sprinzel presided over the Donald Healey Motor Co’s premises – as reported in Motor Sport that month.
JEFF BRENNER’s SPEEDWELL GT failed to find a buyer at Bonhams auction on Oct 5th (Lot 262) and is still up for sale. If anyone is interested in this historic car please contact Bonhams
Midget & Sprite Club recently returned from their Miglia Tour – some of the cars seen here at the old Rheims pit lane.
[Alan Anstead]
Historic Autocross Video on YouTube from the 1970’s
Link
[Colin Barnett]
David Scothorn tells me he was there at Silverstone in 1961 (left) and wonders where the shot was taken: “I think it was just after Woodcote, at the current run in to the National Pits. Was the tower over the track a BRDC and TV viewing point, where the Silverstone Racing Club is now situated?” Feedback
Juergen Schaeffer’s CASTOR ANGLE PROBLEM resolved – see “Your Comments”
Femi Odutolu’s Sebring Rep now has its new K-Series engine installed and the car is being painted.
BS 5525 – spotted by Mike Wood at the Bo’ness Hillclimb Revival on 6 Sept. Anyone know more?
RTL 304
Chris Keeble has reluctantly decided to offer his historic aluminium-bodied Sprite for sale – no price yet.
510 DWD
Tony Giordano is now quoting $25,000 US for his barn-find Mark 2 Sprite with XSP engine.
FASTBACK FITTING INSTRUCTIONS.
Dave Marriott has lost his Archers fitting instructions for the Fastback. Can anyone help?
CASTLE COMBE
Gordon Elwell enjoyed a great dice with Richard Woolmer in their 2nd heat on Saturday. Richard managed to cross the line first but Gordon got fastest lap and a Sprite record.
Pierre Lequeux and 2080 PO took part in the Firle Hill Climb. They feature in a Classic Cars article (right) and Pierre has also sent me this ‘funny’ clip from YouTube
NICE PICS FROM LE MANS IN 1967 WHEN BAKER & HEDGES CAME 15TH OVERALL
[Sent in by Joe Armour, researched by Mark Bisset, from the Henry Ford – Dave Friedman Collection]
FASCINATING LETTERS FROM ADRIAN ANDREW (2ND OWNER) OF
RTL 304 TO A SUBSEQUENT OWNER, PETER WARNE
RARE EARLY
FROGEYE SIDESCREENS FOR SALE ON EBAY CURRENTLY AT £41
achieved £156
