CAN ANYONE HELP IDENTIFY THIS CRANKSHAFT OWNED BY TONY GIORDANO?
Tony is curious about the history of this crankshaft which came in a BMC box along with a whole cache of parts including a 948cc engine numbered 9C—355 engine he acquired some years ago. The crank has the following numbers stamped on it in 3 locations: BB 38 AX; 4829; 1481; and in 2 locations: EEL5309 and V OR M 2CT3CR. Can anyone tell him what they mean?
BONNET/CARB FOULING
I have added photos from Phil Gardner showing his modified manifold, on “Your Comments”.
A POSSIBLE DONOR CAR
currently being offered on ebay at £1,120 exp 2 Dec – needs new shell
Not all brake light switches are created equal! This nearly new switch failed causing total loss of brakes during the roller brake test on an MOT. Fortunately not Gordon Higgs’ Sebring rep!!
FOR THOSE ASSEMBLING THEIR OWN SEBRING PEDAL BOXES:
Powertrack Limited (01753) 842680 tell me they “can supply Girling 3/4″ and 5/8″ integral brake master cylinders (with standard push rods) from stock, priced at £59.50 each + VAT. We can also supply about 6 of the clutch master cylinder push rods (3.5″) to your specifications, but not the longer brake rod size; at least not with a fixed clevis matching the clutch rod. We can supply a suitable brake push rod, but with the adjustable clevis and lock nut. These longer rods with clevis and lock nut are priced to you at £10.00 + VAT each”. Steve Casson also tells me that Raceparts (01491 822000) sell the longer push rods for the master cylinders. They do a 6″ long one which he used and cut to the correct length. ” They may also be able to help with master cylinders – they stock a 3/4″ and sometimes have 7/8″.”
RICHARD SANDS’ FASTBACK REP NEARS COMPLETION
Based on a 62 Sprite converted to the later 1/2 elliptic rear suspension , anti-tramp bars, and Panhard rod. Front damper top arm links to make a wishbone. 1340cc fully lightened and balanced auto sprint motor 40DCOE Weber, full stainless exhaust system, Ford MT75 gearbox with modified Rover 75 hydraulic slave cylinder. Painted in Ferrari geo titanio. With custom red leather interior. It just needs minor detailing to finish.
[It’s interesting to see how each car has a slightly different specification even down to using different heater units and brake/clutch master cylinders. MEI]
776 KNX FINDS NEW HOME
Collector Stephen A Bruno plans to recommission the ’64 Sebring race car to show it, and to use it, sparingly, in vintage racing. He also owns another Healey, a 1948 Westland, (Bill Emerson’s old car) that he intends to use in the Mille Miglia.
MORE ON CARB/BONNET
fouling from Gordon Higgs.
AND NEWS FROM PHIL ZAMLYNSKI – all on the “Your Comments” page
NEIL BLANEY’S CARBS TOUCH THE SEBRING BONNET
He has asked Phil Gardner about the swan neck inlet manifold Maniflow made for him. Phil replies: see “Your Comments”. Anyone else any suggestions: Feedback
PHIL GARDNER’S FASTBACK
has done a number of proving miles and will soon go on a rolling road for fine tuning. See its Full Spec
Bruno Verstraete has kindly sent me this period colour chart for Sprites and other BMC cars.
WARWICK DHMC MK2 HARDTOP Fittings. Paul Webb had a batch of 20 aluminium wingnuts cast after finding that the Cape Internationals items were too big and had a 5/16″ thread rather than the 1/4″ thread needed. He has some available. Email him.
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES
I am pleased to inform all those wanting these items that a batch of 25 has been commissioned for production over the coming weeks. These will be powder-coated in either red or black depending on the customer’s requirements and will be supplied either as a basic kit comprising the box itself, pedals and alloy spacing block only, OR as a complete assembly to include master cylinders, rods, springs, etc ready to fit. I have no prices as yet so please bear with me. There are some difficulties in obtaining the correct master cylinders and particularly the operating rods, one of which is approximately 3½” long and the other is 5″ long. I am aware that some people fit the Sebring pedal box for use in conjunction with the later Spridget Lockheed brakes for which a ¾” bore master cylinder may be more suitable than the one used on Sebring Sprites which were only ⅝”. For these various reasons some may wish to source their own cylinders and operating rods. More news coming soon.
SEBRING SIDESCREENS
I hardly dare mention this (after 13 people came forward wanting pedal boxes) but it might be useful to know how many people are in need of side-screens?
I now have 7 on my list. Feedback
Hiroshi Takemori kindly sent me this tiny model from Japan. Made by Katsuhiro Sugimoto who owns a Sebring Rep, it is just 1 inch long. He made only 20 of them for fellow members of AHCJ and friends.
Bet you didn’t know SU stands for Skinners Union!
A new book just released by Mike Harvey has over 300 pages with copious photographs, drawings & illustrations and tells the story of the S.U. Company and the members of the Skinner family involved. Available from burlen.co.uk (Part Number: ALT 9527) Price £20
Jeff Eakin, editor of Austin-Healey Club USA’s magazine has put together this fascinating 18 page article written by myself, Tony Wilson-Spratt, Bill Emerson and Lorraine Noble-Thompson. Click on the magazine cover to read the full PDFile.
[SORRY! These links were initially incorrect ]
HALLS GARAGE
Morton Nr. Bourne Lincs.
Fitting of Sebring Sprite kits.
We manufacture the Tifosi SS kit and would only be too happy to assist anyone who is building one. Our SS race car is available for anyone to look at.
Steve Hall
Sebring pedal boxes
I seem to have given myself quite a task in mentioning the availability of these items yesterday. I was aware that at least one person had been waiting a long time for one so decided to relieve Andrew of the problem by taking what parts he had and assembling them. I have parts (excluding master cylinders) for 2 but to date have 11 (yes, eleven) enquiries. So please bear with me folks while I see what can be done to get some made up and assembled – no mean feat. The boxes have to be fabricated and welded together, pedals have to be laser cut and fitted with pivot bushes and the actual pedal rectangle and bronze bushes. Each pedal box has an aluminium spacing block so I need a supply of those. Then numerous parts need to be obtained including the master cylinders, various bolts, return springs and foam pads. One of the 2 master cylinders uses a longer rod than standard so these may also need to be modifed, extended or exchanged.
AMERICAN RACING MARK 2 FOR SALE
Raced by Ray Cuomo Jnr at Bridgehampton in period.
Asking price is $22,000 (£14,500) (See web page)
Has a VSCCA Log Book, rust-free, ready to go with 1098cc engine, straight cut gears, etc. Contact Tony Giordano.
SEBRING PEDAL BOXES
As Andrew has recently been unable to complete any new pedal boxes I collected parts for 2 more from him at the weekend. A small amount of welding and painting is needed and master cylinders to buy. Then they will be available as and when required. If you want one let me know.
GEOFF HILL’S WSM
OWO 979, created a lot of interest in the company of Pat Moss’s rally AH 3000 on the AHC stand at the NEC (above)
CLASSIC CAR SHOW – NEC BIRMINGHAM 13 Nov 2015
A fantastic show was held at the NEC over the weekend. There was so much to see I couldn’t cover it all but I did find Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird’s now-restored ex-works Sebring Mk2 looking great on the Midget & Sprite Club stand.
I presented him with the Ian Ashfield trophy for this year.
TREVOR MCILROY & XXC
ended the season 3rd overall in the Historic class of the N. Ireland championship despite Trevor’s skiing mishap.
A PROJECT FOR SOMEONE
or perhaps a Sebring donor car. Was on ebay for £1,000 [Seems to have been withdrawn]
MORE EARLY SIDE-SCREENS
on ebay at £35 exp 16 Nov
Don’t look as good as the last pair which fetched £156
Mike Wylie’s “wish was to be carried in an Armstrong Siddley Hearse, one is coming from England to fulfill that wish”. Fantastic.
I am sure that all my fellow Sprite enthusiasts join me in sending our sincere condolences to all of Mike’s family and friends.
Trevor McIlroy has kindly agreed to represent us all at the funeral ceremony.
MICHAEL CHARLES WYLIE
(Mike, The Autonumerologist). Died 7 November, 2015, peacefully at home following a short illness. Beloved and loving husband of Margot, much loved father of David, Johnny and Susan, and father-in-law of Lu
ke. A service of thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday 17 November, 2015, in the Church of St John Baptist, Helen’s Bay at 1.30pm, followed by a private family committal at Roselawn Crematorium. Family flowers only please – donations in lieu, if desired, to Asthma Research Queens University Belfast, Development & Alumni Relations Office, QUB, Belfast, BT7 1NN and Marie Curie, Kensington Road, Belfast, BT5 6NF (cheques made payable and sent directly to the charity please). In life he lived for those he loved and those he loved remember.
[Following the service all friends are invited to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra, for a few drinks in celebration of Mike’s life. The family will join everyone else after the private committal.]
DHMC TALL SIDE-SCREENS
Pete Farmer has now sold all his newly-made stock.
Add your name to my list for the next batch: Feedback
COLOUR OF ARMSTRONG REAR SHOCKS – Roger Friend says “the original colour is very hard to describe. It’s like a purplish metallic colour or a pinky gold. The best people to contact is Stevsons Motors who are still repairing them. They bought all the original stock from Armstrong when they closed down”.
COLOUR OF ARMSTRONG ADJUSTABLE REAR SHOCKERS
Ken Grasing tells me: “I have three second-hand sets of these, which I have just inspected, and each are either the natural aluminum finish or painted gloss black. Hope this helps”.
TIM SCHOFIELD
When Sven Eckhardt recently took delivery of the historic rally/race Sprite, formerly 4444 DA it became apparent from its file that Tim Schofield had campaigned the car for nearly 20 years between 1968 and ’88. Does anyone know whether he is still around and how to contact him? Feedback please.
NEWLY BUILT SEBRING REP
now reduced in price to only £16,500
See “For Sale page”
PARTS FOR SALE IN BELGIUM
Jean-Paul Decorty has for sale: Midget RWA in need of restoration, £1150, plus: Hard top, 2 front GRP wings, a ribcase gearbox (£150), rear axle 4.55 (£55), cylinder head with polished ports but no valves (£55), and a LHD steel dashboard (£150). Contact him if interested.
FROM BOB SPRUCK OF SHARPSBURG, GEORGIA, USA:
” Last March, I bought a Bugeye and am completing the rotisserie restoration it has undergone. It has a Healey hardtop and I was fortunate to find a guy on the Spridget List who had a set of tall side curtains he could not use. I haven’t been able to find a serial number so assume it is a replica. Can you tell me where the serial number is located?
My car was registered in Louisiana and in Georgia as a 1961 and the serial number is listed as AN5L 3317. The year is wrong and I think the serial number is also. It probably is not 3317 so I assume one digit is missing – maybe it should be something like 3317X. I registered it as a ’61 and as 3317 in order to avoid any hassles. It is Speedwell blue with a white hardtop, 1275, aluminum head, Datsun 5-speed, disc brakes, wire wheels, 1 1/2″ SUs, gear reduction starter, alternator, brand new tires, and a $500 Lempert steering wheel. No hood or frame. Everything is new – not a speck of rust or corrosion or any used parts. I am installing carpet, tonneau, rollbar, competition lap and shoulder belts, Raydyot mirrors, and plan to convert to front hinged bonnet. The Bugeye is a companion to my restored ’72 Midget, my ’67 Midget that I have been vintage racing for the past 25 years, and the 6 parts cars out in my woods. Great website, by the way. Bob Spruck.”
WHO WAS THE DRIVER?
Terry Cowan bought this photo on ebay – Brands Hatch 1965
Can anyone name the driver?
Feedback please.
CLUTCH STOP
It seems DHMC used this mod’ on many of their cars including 510 DWD and both of Joe Armour’s ex-works Healeys. He says: “Roger Menadue and his team were usually responsible for these hand made items produced in their small workshop”.
The trip of a lifetime!
Bob Blayden and his mate, Russell Baldwin, both from New South Wales have now completed their month-long European tour in Bob’s Sebring Rep. When they flew in to Heathrow at the end of September Bob was dismayed to find the shippers had diverted the container ship to Rotterdam and there would be a delay in off-loading his car in England. In consequence they had to hire a car for the first week of their trip taking in a historic race meeting at Castle Combe and visits to Brooklands, Gaydon and Archers Garage, calling on family in Surrey before finally collecting the little green car in London on October 5th. It started on the button after its 6 week sojourn, and the following day we commenced our trip in convoy to the Netherlands, and the Healey Museum, which I reported last month. By the Wednesday evening they were off to the Nurburgring where they enjoyed a rapid circuit in a Porsche 911. Next was the Porsche Museum at Stuttgart, then the Mille Miglia museum at Brescia as they headed south to Bob’s daughter’s home at Sienna in Italy. En route they took in the Alfa, Maserati and Ferrari Museums, a race meeting at Mugello, tackled the Stelvio, drove around the Monaco track and called in at the old Rheims pits. Finally the long drive back to Dunkerque, crossing back over to visit Brighton and a race day at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately the latter was curtailed by thick fog – marshals being unable to see their neighbouring posts. Over 3,500 miles the little car never missed a beat and had only one minor glitch when a cable came adrift on the dip switch. As Bob said “A trip of a lifetime”. He was quite exhausted by the end and flew off last week to visit his other daughter in Singapore for a well-earned rest. By this time they should both be back in Aus awaiting the arrival of the little car back home sometime in December.
