Sebring Sprite - Later Sebring Sprites

Later Sebring Sprites

Over the years, the cars were sold to privateers who raced and rallied them. In later years, the Sebring Sprite became a prized possession and the object of veneration within the Austin-Healey fraternity. Enthusiasts sought out the cars, sometimes discovering them in advanced stages of deterioration. Today, the cars are cherished classics that can be driven to and from competitions just like the originals were in their day. Subsequently, numbers of other Sprites were modified as period replicas of the original Speedwell GTs and Sprinzel Sebring Sprites, built to the same homologated specification.

One such car is the "Lumbertubs" Sprite, built in 1963 by brothers Brian and Ken Myers and named after the lane on which they lived. The alloy roof was crafted by Alan Thompson who was working for Aston Martin at the time and the fibreglass front end was made Williams & Pritchard. In 1965 ownership was passed to Peter Webster, who fitted a 1650cc Ford and drove it with some success in sprints and hillclimbs. In 1967 the engine was changed for a 1498cc Cosworth, developing around 130-140 bhp, using a Cortina GT gearbox. It is known to have won the 1600cc class at the St. John Horsfall meeting at Silverstone on 24th June 1967 with Peter driving.