5435 WD web page updated

AT THE SHOW –
will be this interesting Midget project from Scotland – ‘what might have been – in 1964’
[Joe Armour] click on image

FROGEYE REBUILD PROJECT on ebay may have Sebring brakes!
At least it has separate brake and clutch master cylinders a la Sebring as well as disc brakes and wire wheels.
SOLD at £3,800- expires 6 November LINK
[Thanks to Simon Boardman]

CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW – BIRMINGHAM NEC- 14-16 NOV
Stephen Bowen’s original Sprinzel Sebring Sprite WJB 707 will be on display on the Midget & Sprite Club Stand. Why not join a group of us there around midday on Friday 14th? Get your tickets now.
www.necclassicmotorshow.com

FAST ROAD OR COMPETITION SPRITE FOR SALE
A very genuine and original fast road car, 1098cc 10cc engine sporting twin 1.25″ SU carburettors, “Cooper S” stage 3 head, LCB Maniflow exhaust manifold with matching big bore exhaust system. Uprated front race springs matched with telescopic GAZ adjustable rear shock absorbers, lowered all round. Works style hardtop to keep the weather out and uprated HID head lights for improved vision in the dark. Various spares included. Viewings welcome. £7995 contact: Jordan Goldspink on 0771 023 3838 or email

Nicolas Billion-Rey and Joe Armour both pointed me to this rather confused article about PMO 200

Phil Zamlynski just brought back his Sebring Rep from the paint shop. He couldn’t resist putting the arrow badge on it. Will his be the first Rep to be completed in the States? At least 2 more are in the pipeline. Phil is planning completion for 2015.

ANYONE FANCY A LENHAM LE MANS?
Currently for sale on Ebay and has only reached £68.66 so far.
(Sold for £800). Located at Banbury, Warwickshire,
bidding expires 4 Nov. Link

NICE COMMENTS on this website from Kees van Beijmerwerdt
See “Your Comments”

THAT RED FROGEYE: 8658 AC
My entry and photos lower down this page triggered a mass of information from Bob Kemp (Austin-Healey Club sprite Registrar), Alan Anstead and Gary Lazarus of Midget & Sprite Club, Ray English in Australia and David Scothorn (Vehicle Researcher). David recalled that we had seen this car before, when it came up on ebay in June last year. There seems to be little evidence of the car’s early connection with Donald Healey though it was once owned by a Captain of the QE2. More on this one later.

STEPHEN BOWEN on TONY GIORDANO’s CYLINDER HEAD:
“Re: the number on the cylinder head in your article on Tony Giordano this is probably only a number from the tuner. When I was at Nerus Engineering we put numbers on our heads and kept records so we knew what material and size valves were fitted, state of tune and valve springs guides etc and if special caps were fitted. And I think the combustion chamber volume so that we could advise re: pistons, compression ratios, etc. Stephen.”

VEHICLE HISTORY RESEARCH
David Scothorn has taken on several new research projects since I mentioned his willingness to do so, last month. Living not far from BMIHT at Gaydon and the Warwickshire Records Office he offers to carry out research based on chassis, registration numbers and related details, keepers, etc and asks for just £50 for a visit to Gaydon to cover his expenses, or £75 to include a postal search at Warwick or any other Local Motor Tax Office Archive, where such information may still exist, or £95 for a personal visit to Gaydon and Warwick and detailed report back. A full refund is made if no information is available. Whereas existing DVLA records may, by now, be incomplete the old Local Motor Tax Archives still yield information relating to the first registered and later owners,upon which the original logbooks were based.
If anyone else could use his assistance and experience you can contact him via email .

Angus MacCurrach of Cotswold Collectors Cars Ltd is offering this Frogeye for sale and wishes to know more about its history. Thought to have been kept by the factory as a development car it has fibreglass rear bodywork and bonnet, and a later Mark 2 (1098) dashboard. Its “AC” registration comes from Warwick around August 1958. Anyone know more? Feedback please.
The car can also be seen on the company’s website: http://www.cotswoldcars.com

Tony Giordano (New York) wonders if anyone can tell him the significance of the numbers (2741) stamped beneath his centre exhaust port. You will see that the mouth of the port is widened out on this Huffaker-modified 950 motor – a steel plate dividing the port to give 4 separate outlets for the exhaust gases. It also has a “red crank”, +40 hemi domed pistons and head, special cam, tubular exhaust 4 to 1, matched in length, with a pair of 1½ inch SUs on a spliced MGB intake, producing approx 95-105 bhp. Any thoughts or observations welcome via Feedback please.

SEBRING GOES TOPLESS! Glenn Castle converts his ex-Dave Jeal racer into an open-topped Sebring – the top comes later.

Our surgeon friend in Germany, SVEN ECKHARDT, has only the aluminium top to paint now on his re-built Sebring. In the meantime he acquired a sad old Frogeye formerly registered TRV 202 which has a Speedwell exhaust manifold and anti-roll bar. He thinks the car may have been rallied but has been off the road over 30 years. Anyone know its history. Feedback please.

‘A’ SERIES ENGINE FOR SALE
A-Series rally spec engine (supposedly 98bhp at rear wheels) built with A-plus block, MED race head, MED rally cam, roller rockers, single 48 DCOE Dellorto, Marina crank machined to fit Sprite flywheel, Formula Ford clutch etc. (detailed spec can be provided upon request). By all accounts a pretty special and good spec engine! Has not run for a couple of years now, so a new set of shells and piston rings would not go amiss. Mark Straker is looking for around £1200. Email him if interested. Now sold (through this site).

CARS & CAR CONVERSIONS MAGAZINE
Does anyone know where I might view issues of this magazine for the years 1968 to 1975 approx? I believe that Ken Gregory who ran the magazine acquired the 1968 Le Mans Sprite in about 1969 and anticipate there may be references to it in the mag’ during the period of his ownership. I know it then went to Charles Dawkins who sold it to Ian Polley in 1976. Feedback please.
[John Poulter has kindly come up trumps on this one so will be making a trip shortly. Brilliant!]

THAT LITTLE ELECTRIC CAR (lower down this page)
Alan Cameron (Healey Club hill-climber) has the answer: “What you have is a Watsonian Kiddies D type.. built by Watsonian Sidecar Company and usually fitted with a 98cc motorcycle engine. The CC stands for Cheetah Cub. The D-type is quite common but always with a motorcycle engine. My guess is this one has been modified to an electric lawn-mower motor. Watsonian also did a big racing car based Cheetah Cub car based on a Connaught/Vanwall style and powered by a bigger 198cc BSA engine. I had one for years until Drew ran his Mum over with it!!!!!!!!!!!” Thanks, Alan. See: http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/cheetahcar.htm

Healey Museum’s Drone Video on YouTube

5435WD – more pieces of the jigsaw

Some time ago I was contacted by Mark Straker who wanted to find his late father’s Sprite 2791 MP which he had raced in autocross and other events in the early 70’s. Recently he spotted the photos of the late Frank Tiedman’s 5435 WD which accompanied the auction particulars when it was sold last year. He realised that many details were identical including the tiny door handles, side bonnet scoops, an opening boot lid, flares on the rear arches, etc. Others pointed out the raked windscreen and the roll-hoop with diagonal the wrong way for a RHD car. Clearly it was the same car. Mark then discovered that the reg. no. 2791 MP was from his Dad’s other car a standard Frogeye and on other occasions a GVV plate was used. It seems that Tony Straker owned the car from late 1969 until 02 Oct 1976, and probably created the boot opening, flares and bonded the hardtop to the body. Mark’s mother confirms Tony bought the car from Nick Ramus, and Dave Williamson remembers sharing an autocross drive with Tony in 1972 when the GVV were displayed. He also co-drove the car in August 1975 on the Farnborough & Dist. MC Summer Sort Out stage rally but a “yump”(in Bagshot I believe) put the fan through the radiator!

Mark would love to be re-united with the car and its current owner so WHERE IS IT NOW? Feedback please.

Stuart Gardner is keen to know the history of this little electric car – built in Albion Road in Birmingham. Is there any connection with the Glass Fibre Co and the Donald Healey Motor Co who had hardtops and other panels made in that area? Anyone know? Feedback please.

It transpires that the ex-Targa Florio Sprite LNX 629E was purchased at auction by none other than Paul Woolmer, to add to his collection. He plans a full restoration of the car to Targa spec in a few years time and is pleased to find that all the right parts came with it.

Ex-RONNIE COIA SEBRING REPLICA ~ VSL 827
I was pleased to hear, earlier this week, from Adam Quilter, nephew and godson of the late Ronnie Coia (left). Adam tells me that he has taken over Ronnie’s Sebring Rep and has been enjoying occasional drives in it.

REPORT & PHOTOS OF THE SPRIDGET MEET AT THE HEALEY MUSEUM NOW ON SEPARATE WEB PAGE

Just in case anyone should wish to reads my notes prepared for the presentation I gave at the Healey Museum
you can access them by clicking on: “A Bit of Detective Work”

Dick Groen took a whole gallery of photos at the Spridget Meet of which those above are just a very few, so if you were there you may like to purchase a picture of you and your car in action. To view the gallery go to: Link

SIMON LEEMING’s Mark 2 is now fitted with a period Warwick hardtop and his been enjoying using it on hill-climbs and sprints but has never needed its FIA papers. He says he is considering building something “more purposeful” so may sell it.

Kees van Beijmerwerdt is recovering from an illness and had to miss the Spridget Meet. He says “In the mean time on my good days I am working on my Ashley project; as you can see a challenge because of the body state. However, with the bonnet and top being original 1960 Ashley and the body of March 1959 it will be a very nice and rather exclusive special I think. Engine and gearbox to be decided, but I will try to stay as close to 1960 as I can. Here is the question: While working on the body I am looking for information to get the battery placed behind the drivers seat, as with the Sebring Sprites. Are there any sketches available indicating dimensions and exact postion? “ IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE ADVIISE VIA FEEDBACK

The HEALEY MUSEUM is really coming into its own now with shots like these being made available to us.

Very few photos exist showing Moss at the 1960 Sebring 3 Hours so these are pretty special. Hans van de Kerkhof has kindly agreed that I may show these examples to you here, courtesy of the museum.

ROGER SIELING is slowly restoring the Falcon Sprite, which is currently some 40 miles from his home having its alloy panels re-fitted. He “took along a bare block, the XSP head and manifold, H4 carbs and original trumpets so we could insure proper clearance of the bonnet and air scoop over the engine components. You can see the trumpets do hang over the edge of the bonnet opening. First time in 44 years carbs and trumpets have been fitted”. Clearing his workshop for some structural repairs, his Bugeye has also seen the light of day complete with its DHMC hardtop – Roger has the right sidescreens to fit later.

A COMPETITION MIDGET FOR SALE

Nikolaj Mortensen wishes to sell his 1966 Period G racing Midget and is looking for £11,500
With National FIA papers Period G (1966-1971 GT) but could be converted to FIA Period F (1961-1966 ) by fitting a 1098cc engine.
Contact Nikolaj by email if interested. Click here for full specifcation

Plenty of Sprites at autumn Prescott [photos: David Morys]

CONGRATULATIONS TO NICOLAJ MORTENSEN
who has had a very successful 2014 season racing his 1963 FIA 1098cc Mg Midget Mk1. He came in 3rd place after a Lotus Cortina and a Alfa Guilia Sprint, and in front of Lotus Elans, Porsche 911 , Lotus Cortinas , MGB & more. In the final race last weekend in Sweden, he won his class and 5th overall, out of 23 cars. The first time in Scandinavia that a Spridget has got an overall podium finish. The car has a 1098cc std stroke engine 98.4bhp 112NM, std size brakes with Mintex L44 pads , weighs 598kg, and Dunlop Racing 450M 13 tyres. [Not really 138 DMO] Watch the onboard clip from the final heat where he needed a class win in front of the Alfa.

ROGER FRIEND has sent in this photo (left) of his replica Sebring, fitted with the ex-Butch Gilbert DHMC hardtop. It also has an alloy bonnet (cost a fortune to have made and fitted) – the rest of the car has all the goodies; just waiting on an XSP engine! The other picture is his 1930 Austin Ulster, and he also has a 1939 Austin Twin-cam single seater replica, fitted with a 750 supercharged engine.

PETER FLETCHER’s “first year has ended and lo and behold we came 6th overall, 1st in class up to 1400cc and 2nd in the rookies cup – hooray! We had a few problems as you would expect in your first year with a new car, including 2 head gasket failures, head had to be drilled for 11 studs; distributor fell out; fuel starvation at Olivers Mount hill necessitated standard fuel line being replaced with 2 x 8mm pipes, one to each carb; core plug blew out; and lots of oil leaks. Anyway the engine is now to be stripped and re-gasketed, and a new 4.55 diff is to be fitted.So not a bad year at all. Looking forward to next year. Pic enclosed, taking the finish bollards out at Harewood. Cheers Peter in Scarborough”.

Peter at Harewood

GRAHAM ROBSON reports: “Both my recently-acquired WSM & the Sebring replica competed in the HRDC All Stars at Snetterton on Saturday. I drove the WSM and Richard Woolmer the Sebring replica. Unfortunately I blew a head gasket on the WSM mid race when lying 10th but Richard drove his socks off to win last class and 6th overall against some very developed Sprites/Midgets in the hands of experienced pilots. My Standard Pennant in the HRDC Touring Greats also had a good day by winning Class D, a first for the car! So at the prize giving all three cars were awarded trophies – the WSM the ‘piston broke’ trophy ..so it made a great shot in the paddock with trophies on all three cars”.

A NEWLY RESTORED BUGEYE IS FOR SALE IN THE STATES SOLD NOV 2014
With a fresh 1275 engine, aluminum cylinder head and new 1½ carbs. Also new is the paintwork, seats, wire wheels and tires, and the disc brakes. It has a 5 speed transmission, DHMC hardtop and a Falcon Le Mans steering wheel. Fewer than 50 miles since completion.
ASKING PRICE IS $23,000 USD (£14,200) – contact Jim Dougherty by email [Louisiana USA]

ASHLEY MIDGET FOR SALE – £11,750
Brian Morland’s car which underwent a nut and bolt rebuild between 2002 & 2007 is looking for a new home. MOT’d until April 2015 it comes with a large history file. If interested contact Brian by email . NOW SOLD (through this site)