C.J.Starley at Brighton Speed Trials, 1967 driving 2080 PO now owned by Pierre Lequeux – photo courtesy of
LAT Photographic
Ian Burford ” got the rear wheels (of the Lumbertubs) on the Astro-turf exiting Campus corner (at Spa) and then shot across the circuit into the Armco!”
Oslo-based Kai Eriksen decided to go historic racing and needed to get HTP (Historic Technical Papers) for his Sebring so he visited Craig Chapman in Scotland and ordered new aluminium bodywork. He “had to change a lot to please the FIA supervisor: 948cc engine, overbored to 997, 1½” SU H4s, Healey inlet manifolds, correct smoothcase gearbox, correct front suspension with Healey 100 anti-roll bar, correct brakes with ATE substitute calipers, home-made caliper brackets, Spitfire discs down-sized to 8″, and the aluminium rear shroud and coupé top”. He is now working hard to prepare the car for the last historic race in Norway this season, on September 14 to 16. See earlier photos of the car in : replica gallery
Armstrong Adjustable Shockers
– 4 days left on Ebay
Anyone got a copy of Sleepless Knights for Kimberley Rickard
Graeme Henderson’s Coupe
is nearly there
David Morys took these photos of David Wylie in his Speedwell GT at Shelsley Walsh last weekend. It was a celebration of the 50 years of the Lotus Elan but as David (Morys) says “the Sprite looked equally good!”
“TALL” SIDE-SCREENS FOR DHMC ‘WORKS’ MARK 1 HARDTOP AVAILABLE FROM PETE FARMER
Pete Farmer has just 2 sets remaining of his batch of brand new side screens for the DHMC hardtop. Price per pair with door mounts is £500 plus VAT, the storage bag £45 plus VAT. Email Pete.
Le difference: BMC top, and DHMC below
Approx 33cms (13″) tall
Storage bag
Alan Anstead has been keen to know what the badge was on Barry Shawzin’s rally Sprite WYT 381 and has at last been able to identify it (left)
TWO NEW MESSAGES FROM JOHN SPRINZEL:
Re: Roger Friend, that 1960 Sebring windshield, his new book “Lucky John”, and the Olympics
Southern Counties Sprite Club which became part of AHC
John Beunk of Meppel in Holland has acquired Stephen Bowen’s Sebring Replica and plans to drive it to special events and “have fun with it”. He looks forward to meeting other Sebring enthusiasts.
Bowen replica sold
“Thin Disc” Spec Sheet
Mike Wylie kindly sent me this period photo showing Paddy Gaston in RAM 35 competing with some much heavier metal. See also “Your Comments”
In the pipeline: I am preparing a web page about LNX 629E, the standard-bodied Sprite Mark 4 which raced at sebring and in the Targa in the late 1960’s.
Richard Rooks was quick to come back to me concerning the gold Speedwell GT shown below, registered 6943 MH. “The car was, at that time, owned by David Hurn, a professional photographer, and the BBC film, directed by Ken Russell was entitled: ‘Watch the Birdie’. It was about David’s reasons for taking up photography and, for some reason, the car’s registration no. 6943 MM was changed for the film to 6943 MH. I have a B + W copy of the 30 minute movie”. So now we know!
XSP engines
Pete Taylor is urgently seeking a 1275 Cooper ‘S’ block (i.e. with side tappet covers) for his alloy streamliner replica. Use Feedback if you can help.
Meanwhile Jack Wheeler, of Targa Florio fame, has had some aluminium sumps cast and also ordered a couple of special cranks from Paul Ivey who is machining them from original forgings.
Anyone heard of a Hambleton Sprite? Acquired by Dave Parker, – Gary Lazarus has identified the bonnet as a Star Sprite – but what of the rear end? Feedback please.
David Scothern spotted this Speedwell GT on BBC 2 on Saturday (11th) in a two hour documentary about London through the 20th century. I think this car, 6943 MH, is the one now painted red and owned by Richard Rooks in the USA. (See March 2012 in Past News) Anyone know: did this clip come from a film in the 60’s?
Andy’s ‘attention to detail’.
His replica is progressing well with dash & instruments in, and Goodridge pipework complete. Engine comes next.
Steve Coleman has directed me to a YouTube link showing Clive Baker racing his car, TFR7, at Eagles Canyon raceway in Texas
WORKS-MODIFIED MARK 2 WITH XSP ENGINE FOUND IN USA.
Tony Giordano of New York has acquired this rare car from the family of the late Rudolf Davila who took it home after serving as a mechanic in the UK with the USAF
IAN ASHFIELD’S FUNERAL took place at Luton on Tuesday, 7th. Andrew Forster brought along Ian’s Fastback Replica which his friend Mark will use as he wishes. Always one with a sense of humour Ian had had signs made for the van in which his coffin was delivered, referring to this, his “Last Burn-Up” .
John has kindly given me the names of some of those here: “Hank Rossiter, Paul Hawkins, (can’t remember), Eric Davies, Reg Venner, (can’t remember), Phil Wood, John Ohlsen behind (he had a lot to do with the Daytona Cobras after he left me). Doreen Grace and Leonora Millington.
The Sebring Sprite Memorial Cup, donated by the late Ian Ashfield, to be presented annually to a Sebring owner whose car is shown at the Classic Car Show.
