VDD 380

The one-time owner of this Speedwell Monza bonneted Sprite is now 92 and is wondering if the car is still around as he would love to see it again. Not listed on the DVLA website but perhaps slumbering in a barn somewhere?

My apologies for the fact that some of the photos on this page seem unwilling to open to full size.
I am doing my best to find a solution

HAND-PAINTING YOUR PRIDE & JOY FOR AROUND £200!

"My job was as a painter for Ortomarine, preping and painting new electric narrow boats, now semi retired but keeping my hand in where I can. I have now painted 2 fibreglass bodied cars with amazing results. 2 ltrs of epiphanes (trade name) enamel paint and 1ltr of thinners, some mixing cups and one top of the range paint brush (2" purdy brush) all bought from ebay. Without going into to much detail: Start by removing the original paint with 150mm orbital sander 240 grit
and 400 grit until smooth. Apply 2 coats of primer, apply 2 coats of undercoat (mixed gloss & primer) apply 1 coat of gloss and the flatten paint, apply finish coat of gloss. For this car, I sanded off the original silver / grey paint, not back to the fibreglass though, as the layers of paint will base as undercoats. Having removed the top coat and flattened the original paint, I then painted 2 coats of primer, aloud to dry until the next day where upon I painted two coats of primer mixed with the gloss paint I intended to use as the final colour, the mix was aproxx 50/50 then aloud to dry until the next day where I painted the gloss colour mixed with thinners, this was to be my sacrificial coat, aloud to dry and then using the orbital sander with a 400 grit paper the paint was flatted back to a nice even state, this would then be the base for my finish gloss coat.Enamel paint is thick and is hard wearing once dry is super shiney, dries very quickly. 2lts of Epifanes yacht enamel paint (light blue) (around £62) 1ltr of epifanes brush thinners. 1ltr standard tin of grey primer. 2" brush made by purdey. Tack cloths & masking tape. 1ltr yellow for the bib. Total cost of around £200.
Graham Maggs".

TONY BOLTON'S FASTBACK SEBRING NEARS COMPLETION

"The car has been a labour of love for the last 4 years, nearing completion with car back from the restorers a couple of weekends ago. I'm really pleased with the final finish from Faircharm Restorations, Shane really knows his stuff and had great advice as we worked on the car. A few images before it came home. Still trying to source some Sebring Sprite side windows, if anyone knows of anybody".

A letter from James Thacker

"I have been relatively quiet with the Sprite; just two events this year. The MGCC round at Shelsley in early June. Mixed weather and I was 5th out of 11 in the class. Not so good as last year's 2nd out of 17 (behind Ben Roll's rapid Sebring on slicks) . I am on 10 year old road legal Yokos.... Photos attached are (in order) of Shelsley this year (did not realise I came in so close at the apex at Crossing bend).
Three other photos are of the non-competitive Bromyard hill climb in July. A lovely fast course, 1.2 miles with sweeping bends and helpful return road too. You may notice, if you look very carefully, that I had a passenger. I have fitted a second seat (Tillett) and my wife, Matty, had her first run in the car. The rear shot shows that the car is bottoming out (on the N/S anti tramp bar bracket). Note camber angle of front OS wheel on this first ' gentle ' run. I can see that even with Matty's 50kg I will have to consider raising the ride height a touch and re doing the corner weights! Now in my 59th year of motor sport; the odd non-competitive event at Bromyard or members days at Shelsley are becoming more attractive. The aim is to take is my 12 year old grandson (who is very keen on motorsport due to his Dad, John's, involvement with F1 etc) up Shelsley; he would never forget it.
Incidentally, someone came up to me and said he remembered TZA from an event at the Chateau Impney. I initially thought he meant the recent events from 2015 to 2018 that I took part in, but no, he said it was from the Chateau in the early 1960's.....
It is very gratifying when people remember the car from 60 years and come up to speak to me. All worthwhile carrying out the rebuild over three years from 2012.

Other news, you probably heard that Paul Ivey (Dec 2024) and Peter Felix (March) have both sadly died. You may not have known about ex Midget racers Paul Bernal-Ryan and Bunny Lees-Smith, both A class drivers, have passed away quite recently too. The undertaker for the latter's funeral was appropriately, the caring Rob Orford. Long time friend of Bunny, and speed event competitor in an MGB. A little while ago another ex-class A Midget racer died in France, David Brooker-Carey.

All photos of my car at Shelsley are by Joy Richings, wife of ex Modsports racer in the 'Heatherborne Midget ' shared with Mike Donovan, with rear radiator and 1500 front.
Peter went on to race clubman's cars for about 50 years (with 2years with Mike in F3)
Peter Richings is doing hillclimb driving very successfully in a VW Golf R .
I will send separately the a few photos from 2024 by Joy which are about the best I that I have seen of my Sprite or Midget at this venue. Most photos look as if the car is parked but Joy gets the angle right, with slight blurring of the background and wheels.
Lastly a photo (bottom left) of Alec Poole and me at our house in Warwickshire, in May 2025, when Alec and his son, William, came to see TZA 238. William had kept it a complete secret from his Dad but had covertly arranged it with me some time before. Afterwards they went to lunch near Banbury and then for a tour of Hook Norton brewery.
Best regards, James".
[Photos courtesy of Joy Richings]

The Steve Everitt Memorial Race, Brands Hatch, August 2025

Historic class H victor was Mark Turner with his lovely Sebring

Paul Sibley won the coveted Steve Everitt Memorial Race at the recent CSCC Brittannia Meeting at Brands Hatch. The event featured 13 races for classic British cars. This was the 28th running of the race held in memory of Steve Everitt, one of the most successful Midget racers of all time. A group of his friends and drivers of his era were present to watch. The race was part of the Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge with an excellent grid of 28 cars. Whilst Sibley managed to set a good margin to win, the dice of the race was just behind between place swapping Pippa Cow and Connor Kay. Pippa eventually took second place by two tenths. Sibley also took victory in the second Spridget race at the end of the day, but unfortunately the continuing duel between Pippa and Connor ended early when Pippa picked up a puncture. An excellent days racing slickly run by the Classic & Sports Car Club. John Baggott
[Many thanks to Dennis Wharf for the photos excluding the last from John Baggott]

In a class of his own Paul Sibley overall and class A winner.

Car 173 Connor Kay (class C) and car 7 Pippa Cow (class E) were both class winners who disputed 2nd and 3rd paces all race long, it finally being settled in Pippa’s favour taking second place overall.

Pressing on the always impressive Pippa Cow.

Second home in class D Dean Stanton.

The ex-Dominic Mooney Sprite now owned and driven by Justin Potter who finished 7th in class C

New to the Championship and in his first race James Keer who built this very smart class C car with help from his Dad.

The super tidy race class C machine of novice James Keer

Graham Marchant (L) with race winner Paul Sibley and Championship Co-ordinator Gil Duffy

More on Girling Brake Pads and Linings from David Price

"Peter May Engineering is able to supply Mintex pads in a range of materials for racing to fit the Girling calibers. They have supplied a number of customers racing in Sprites with Girling brakes with pads over the years. They can also have brake shoes relining as well if customers need them. The pads are not cheap, but do work. Dominic or Aled will be able to help customers select the right pad material for the competition activity they are doing".
Peter May Engineering, Unit 4 Woodfield Business Units, Kidderminster Road, Ombersley, Droitwich, Worc, WR9 0JH
Tel: 01905 676111

Rare Donald Healey Motor Company Frogeye Hardtop For Sale

Rene Bloemen's Alloy-bodied Sebring finally in Colour

- and doesn't it look great. He hopes to have it on the road next Springtime. Well done Rene. A lovely job.

Eddie Maher and XSP Engines

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird has drawn my attention to this fascinating article which has been compiled by Keith Dodd (of Mini Spares fame). It includes numerous details relating to the spec' of various XSP engine built at Morris Engines, Courthouse Green, Coventry. https://www.minispares.com/blog/2024/08/12/making-of-the-coopers-with-eddie-maher/

Dave O'Neill's Spare Parts For Sale

Graham Maggs' Amazing Repaint Job

Paul Watson R.I.P

I was sorry to learn that Paul Watson, owner of Sebring Sprite 100 UFM, has recently died and send our condolences to his wife and family. I understand that Paul's widow is selling both his Sprites, the Sebring and another both of which are Shorrock supercharged.

Girling Brake Pads and Shoes

I noted recently that Ken Grasing was having difficulty locating racing quality brake pads for his Girling Type 10 front calipers. I recalled that they were the same as those fitted at the rear on early Lotus Elans, confirmed by Emma Jacobs on the Facebook group. She referred him to www.questmead.co.uk and the MGB524 pad shape. They seem to have various materials available. Alternatively Aldon Automotive may be able to assist. Next, Ken wants some race linings for the 8" rear brakes of his Sebring (as on Riley 1.5) - Any suggestions out there?

Rare 1961 Le Mans footage comes to light

A message from Alex Schmitt in Hamburg, Germany.

Nikolaj E. Mortensen has the following parts for sale

SEBRING SPRITE REPLICA WITH SPEEDWELL MOINZA BONNET BASED ON 1960 SPRITE

Currently for sale on Ebay at £11,995 Seller can be contacted on 0791 867 3915

WANTED
Jez Hayter is looking for a Fastback bodied Sebring Sprite, preferably with 'A' Series engine and gearbox. He is also after a pair of sliding door handles like the Speedwell ones shown right. If you can help, please contact Jez Hayter by email if you can assist. Many thanks.

XSP Engine query

Wayne Fitzgerald is in Australia and has a Moke with a transverse A series 1275cc with a XSP prefix engine serial number XSP 2699/10. The Moke does not have an Australian compliance plate or any other obvious serial numbers to date the vehicle. So far he has not been able to find much information on the Moke build status or anything on XSP engines except Formula Junior and my Technical article on these engines.

If you can assist him please contact him via his email.

STRAIGHT CUT CLOSE RATIO GEARBOX FOR SALE - £750
(works well but inclined to jump out of 1st gear)

Also some Avon CR6ZZ tyres on powder-coated black steel rims.

For further information please email Morgan Sparrow.

Derek Stewart is thinking of offering his Sebring Fastback NOW SOLD

some earlier images below

This car is unique in having a Coventry Climax engine and Toyota 5-speed gearbox. A Sebring Fastback with bodywork by Archers Garage and built to a high standard. If interested please email Derek for more details. 674 VMX

Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Coupé body kit For Sale

Sprinzel Sebring Sprite Coupé fibreglass bodywork for sale. Used as bucks for alloy body project so some minor detail mods made/required. Located at Clanfield, on Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire borders. Buyer collects, sold as seen.

Offers around £1,000 for complete set, to David Lovegrove, via email please.

Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite Replica For sale

Based on a 1963 Austin Healey Sprite, now fully restored, with steel body and rear end plus an Archers fibreglass bonnet and hardtop, painted in California sage green. Fitted with a 950cc engine bored out to +60 fitted with flat top pistons on later fully floating lightened and balanced con rods. Brand new nos crankshaft (std/std). Uprated camshaft (CA4), 206 casting cylinder head with tubular exhaust manifold with side exit, running H4 SU carbs on Healey manifold. Standard gearbox with new type oil seal conversion, lightened flywheel with 9 spring type clutch. Full bolt in roll cage with removable door side bars (not currently fitted). Front with lowered and stiffer road springs, rear has 1/4 elliptic with rare Armstrong adjustable shock absorbers. Alloy radiator with electric cooling fan.

Looking for offers around £14,000 (Based in Tarporley ,Cheshire).
If interested please contact Simon Boardman on 07885 583715 or by email

Laurence Maudslay is offering his Archer Sebring Replica for sale on racecarsdirect.com at £17,500
For more information go to: link

Sebring Sprite Project For Sale

Kurt Barker has asked me to offer his project for sale.
Located in Lincoln, UK it includes:
Rolling chassis: 1970 MG Midget, 1275cc engine dyno’d at 59bhp in 2020 , with a single HIF44 carb, tubular exhaust manifold and stainless system. The car is fitted with Minilight alloys, rebuilt diff, Magic Midget front springs and larger anti-roll bar, MGB front damper conversion, rear springs have lowering blocks fitted. Dashboard is an immaculate restored replacement. Alloy gearknob and steering wheel. Midget windscreen. Oil cooler.

Bodywork: Front SS bonnet, Sprite Mk1 GRP doors, Sprite Mk1 GRP rear body including infill panels. Midget doors and bootlid come with the project, and a genuine steel Mk1 Sprite door. Paperwork: The donor car is a 1970 (J reg) MG Midget with a V5 in my name, restored in the 90’s and there is a comprehensive photo history of this. There’s also a thick folder of invoices for parts, past and present.
The car was driven regularly until mid-2021 until I took it off the road to begin the project.

NOW SOLD