Professional Documents
Culture Documents
355
Mascot
The Magazine of the Midget & Sprite Club
www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
ICE DRIVING IN SWEDEN MILLE MIGLIA 2014
Jan, Feb & March - 4 Days, 3 Nights 14 - 21 May - Self-Drive or Fly-Drive
From £1099.00 Per Person From £899.00 Per Person
OFFICERS
CLUB ARCHIVIST & Terr y Horler, 63 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UQ. Tel: 01454 881770
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION rebelwithasprite@hotmail.com
MEMBERS ADVERTISING Alan Lo, Tel: 0117 9572617 Mob: 0775 3867806 email: alan@mobuzzing.net
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE John Clark, 16 Barley Close, Broomfield, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7XG
CO-ORDINATOR Tel: 01227 368 638, mob: 07971 153556, email: jrclark@sky.com
Car Registers
Sprites & Midgets Stuart Watson, stuart@thewatsonz.com 01562 883 076
(Except Mk1 Sprites)
Sprites Mk1 Gary Lazarus, garyfrogeye@gmail.com 020 7700 5696
REGALIA OFFICER Mike Grout, 55 Park Road, Spixworth, Norwich, NR10 3PJ. Tel: 01603 890211
email: mike@motorparts.freeserve.co.uk
Technical Advisor Mark Boldry, email: mark26r@hotmail.com
WEBMASTER Richard Mumford, email: webmaster@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
TRADE ADVERTISING Gary Lazarus, editor@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk 020 7700 5696
AREA REPRESENTATIVES
BRISTOL Terry H orler, Tel: 01454 881770 rebelwithasprite@hotmail.com
east anglia David Dixon, Tel: 01733 222810 email: e-dave@hotmail.co.uk
DEVON Currently vacant
DORSET Ian Beaver, Tel: 01722 326840 email: ian.beaver@btinternet.com
ESSEX Jane Gates, Tel: 01255 830 509 email: jgjanegates999@gmail.com
HAMPSHIRE Terry Langridge, Tel: 01252 626063 email: friendlyfolk@midgetandsprite-hampshire.info
HOME COUNTIES Mark Hall, Tel: 01296 660103 markdhall@aol.com
NORTH WEST
KENT Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050 email: alan.anstead@btopenworld.com
LINCOLNSHIRE Vacant
LONDON Gary Lazarus, Tel: 020 7700 5696 email: garyfrogeye@gmail.com
SOUTH STAFFS & Area rep on rotation basis, contact ssnb.masc@hotmail.co.uk
NORTH BIRMINGHAM
SCOTLAND John Pardo, Tel: 01698 814791 email: jp1kg@talktalk.net
NORTH WEST Les & Diane Robinson, Tel: 01772 496594 email: les.robinson@torotrak.com
NORTHERN IRELAND Robert Holmes, Tel: 02892 689274 email: robertholmes25@hotmail.com
NOTTS/DERBY Ian Cooke, Tel: 0115 938 3838 email: ilc@bgs.ac.uk
OXFORD Grahame Gibbins, Tel: 01235 530456 or grahame_gibbins@hotmail.com
SOMERSET Ray Darch, Tel: 01460 72040 email: raymargaret@lineone.net
SOUTH WEST WALES David Hill, Tel: 01239 811307 email: david@hill.be
SURREY Mike Gorman, mike@birchwood44.freeserve.co.uk Tel: 01737-552256
SUSSEX David Southcott, email: dandl@southcotts.plus.com
HEART OF ENGLAND Dave Puzey, Tel 024 7671 2384 email davepuzey01@AOL.com
WILTSHIRE Andy Cross, Tel: 01225 743554 email: andy@cross743.freeserve.co.uk
YORKSHIRE Rob Armstrong, Tel: 07889 090411 email: mascyorkshire@gmail.com
Also see the Club Nights section for new areas and contacts.
Compiled by Richard Flynn (richard.flynn@live.co.uk). Please advise me of any changes, errors etc.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: IF YOU EXPERIENCE ‘MASCOT’ PROBLEMS UPON RENEWAL, PLEASE CONTACT
THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY OR THE TREASURER STRAIGHT AWAY. The Committee
© Midget & Sprite Club
Printed by Quorum Print Services Ltd, Units 3&4, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, GL51 8PL
Tel: 01242 584984 Website: www.quorumprint.co.uk E-mail: info@quorumprint.co.uk
October Editorial
I
’m writing this at 11.31pm on a cold wet mid Events like the new 750 Motor Club Historic
September night, and I’ve just come back Birkett Relay to be held at Snetterton on the
from watching the new James Hunt, Niki 3rd of November would be an ideal race for
Lauda film “Rush”, and very good it was too. club members to participate in. While this
year’s race is probably too close, perhaps we
As it seems that the Summer of 2013 over
could enter a team for next year? Why not let
and done with (for now), my thoughts are
me know if you are interested in competing
turning to next year’s events. So, influenced under the Midget & Sprite Club banner.
by the film I’ve just seen, I’m once again Ecurie Midget & Sprite Club has a nice ring to
thinking about and looking forward to it. Hopefully this idea will prove more popular
competing in the Frogeye. Not show and than last month’s appeal in my editorial,
shine events (Gaps isn’t that kind of car), which didn’t generate a single response!
but in speed events, in my case Sprints and
Autosolos. Our Spridgets are very well suited Please remember that without input from
to certain types of competition and have a you, the club will stagnate and cannot move
rich and successful history going right back forward.
to the start of their production in 1958. Even Finally, Mascot and the committee would like
now, if the course is tight enough, my little to pass on our congratulations to Scotland
Frogeye can put to shame some very exotic Rep John Pardo who married Elspeth
machinery. Hamilton on 12th September. I hope to
I know that among the membership, there catch up with them both on the Club stand
are quite a few people with racing in their at the NEC on the weekend of 15th-17th of
blood and also some very competitive cars. November (see page 6).
So why not put together a Midget & Sprite Have a great month
Club racing team?
Gary & “Gaps”
There are
quite a few
speed events
throughout
the year,
which cater
for all levels of
Spridget based
competition,
and I’m certain
that within the
Club, we have
the expertise
and enthusiasm
to put ourselves Club member Colin Gale at speed
out there.
The deadline for articles and reports for inclusion in the November edition of
Mascot is Monday 14th of October. Please note that this deadline is not me
setting you a challenge to see how long after that date you can get stuff into the
magazine ☺
The statements and opinions expressed in each and every issue of Mascot are not necessarily the
considered views of the Midget and Sprite Club. The views expressed by the editorial contributors,
letter writers and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Club. The
Midget and Sprite Club accepts no responsibility for the results of following contributor’s advice, nor
does it necessarily endorse the services or products offered by advertisers.
Cover image: The Sebring Sprites of Charlie and India Clegg and Martin McGlone plus two wonderful
Spitfires at The Silverstone Classic July 2013
2
American Hotrod
(Frogeye / High ride height
on newly installed
Mk2 Sprite / springs
Mk1 Midget)
Lowering the ride
height of your
quarter elliptic
rear springs
It seems that it is no
longer possible to
obtain the correct,
original specification,
replacement quarter
elliptic springs for
the early cars.
Some suppliers now of the wedge. Then, with the vehicle raised
only supply a ‘heavy duty’ quarter elliptic rear and safely supported, by loosening the two
spring that raises the rear of the car so that forward spring location bolts and undoing
it takes on the appearance of an American the spring U clamp the spring can be lifted
Hot rod albeit with the wheel looking enough that the wedges can be pushed
somewhat isolated within the wheel arch into position. There is a downside to this
aperture. Next time you see a Frogeye take a retrofit in that the wedges can work loose
look and a car on heavy duty springs should and fall out so need constant supervision. A
be easily identifiable unless…………… suggestion may be that once the wedge is
In period BMC offered a heavy duty rear road retrofitted, by this method, a hole is drilled
spring AHA5468 which required longer bolts through the ‘chassis’ into the wedge and
HBZ0624. a self tapping screw inserted to ‘lock’ the
wedge in position.
A taper packing was available to angle the
springs up or down to suit the required ride
height (AHA6456).
Taper ‘packings‘, or wedges as they
are, nowadays, more commonly known,
are available from such as Peter May
Engineering.
The wedges, usually alloy, are best fitted at
the time of spring replacement as they need
to be located on the spring location bolt. It
is possible to retrofit by cutting a slot, from
the pointed end, to the centre location hole,
Alan Anstead
Ed says: Having fitted these to my Frogeye
(which came with the slots already cut), I can
confirm that it is possible for them to work
© Peter May Engineering loose and fall out
3
Club Nights
1st Tuesday Essex Area – Now meet at The Green Man, Green Man Lane, Kelvedon Road, Little Braxted, Essex Cm8
3BL. For further details contact Jane Gates Tel: 01255830 509 or email: jgjanegates999@gmail.com
1st Wednesday Devon Area – The Dartmoor Lodge Hotel, Ashburton, TQ13 7JW 1930 – 2200. Please contact
Dave Price for details, 01805 603133, daveprice@daveprice.plus.com
1st Wednesday South Staffs & Birmingham – Meet at Whitacre Ex-Service & Social Club, 66 Station Road, Nether
Whitacre, Coleshill, Birmingham, West Midlands. B46 2EH, 8.30-8.45pm Contact: John Collins,
Tel: 07970 213084 email: green _ mx5@hotmail.com
1st Wednesday Oxford Area – Meet at the Blackhorse Pub, Gozzards Ford, Nr Abingdon. 7pm for those eating or 8pm for
those not. Contact Grahame Gibbins at grahame _ gibbins@hotmail.com
2nd Tuesday London Area (Congestion Zone) – Meet at The Ace Cafe at 7:30pm. together with the Classic Cars
Magazine night. Details: Gary Lazarus on 020 7700 5696, garyfrogeye@gmail
2nd Wednesday Heart of England, covers Worcs, Warks, West Midlands and surrounding areas – Meet at The Green
Dragon, The Green, Sambourne, Redditch, B96 6NU, at 8.30pm as usual.
2nd Wednesday North West Area meet at The Kilton, turn off M6 at Jct 20 onto A50 towards Macclesfield. Pub 4 miles
on left. Please note new venue.
2nd Wednesday Bristol Area will meet at The Rose and Crown, Pucklechurch at 8pm. All Bristol, Bath and surrounding
areas members welcome. Contact Terry Horler on 01454 881770 rebelwithasprite@hotmail
2nd Thursday Notts/Derby border Area at the Sitwell Arms at 30 Wood Lane, Horsley Woodhouse, Derby, DE7 6BN
from approx. 8.30. Just a mile north-west of the A608/A609 crossroads. Ian Cooke 0115 938 3838
ilc@bgs.ac.uk
2nd Thursday East Anglian Area. Previously the Cambridgeshire Area meet at The Ferry Boat, at Holywell, 8pm
2nd Saturday Yorkshire Area – meet each month at lunchtime from 12:30pm at The Nags Head, Pickhill, near
Thirsk, YO7 4JG – more information at http;//yorkshiremasc.blogspot.com/
3rd Monday Dorset – Meet at St. Peter’s Finger, Lytchett Minster, Poole, BH16 6JE 7.30pm
3rd Tuesday Scotland – Meet at The Windmill Tavern, 4 Thorniewood Road, Uddingston G71 5QQ at 8pm.
Contact John Pardo on 01698 814791
3rd Tuesday Surrey – Meet at The Chequers, Chequers Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey KT20 7SF. 7.00pm
onwards. Contact Mike Gorman, mike@birchwood44.freeserve.co.uk Tel: 01737-552256
4th Thursday Sussex – Meet at Bolney Stage, Bolney, RH17 5RL from 19:00. Contact David Southcott at
dandl@southcotts.plus.com
4th Thursday Hampshire – Please ring Terry or Harriet Langridge on 01252 626063 for details.
4th Sunday Kent Area – Meet at The Angel, Addington Green, West Malling, Kent, ME19 5BB at 12:00 for lunch.
Contact Alan Anstead, Tel: 01322 384050. alan.anstead@btopenworld.com
Last Monday Wiltshire – Meet at The Barge Inn, Seend, Nr. Devizes, about 7pm. Contact Andy Cross on
01225 743554 or e-mail andy@cross743.freeserve.co.uk
Last Wednesday Home Counties North West for members in Herts, Beds, Bucks, Berks, N. London or anyone interested!
Meet at the Chequers Inn, Redbourn, AL3 7AD from 6:30pm. Please contact Mike or Sue Gahan on
email mike@mgahan.demon.co.uk or on 07850 488636.
Last Thursday Somerset – Meet at The Lord Nelson, Norton sub Hamdon at 7pm for those wishing to eat or at 8pm
for those not. Phone Ray Darch on 01460 72040 with any queries and to ensure we will be there!
Northern Ireland robertholmes25@hotmail.com. If enough interest, will arrange a meeting.
South West Wales Non regular and occasional meetings and runs arranged throughout the summer months. Please contact
David Hill on 01239 811307 or email: david@hill.be
4
Club Website
www.midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
Events
Area reps please make Gary Lazarus aware of any events already in your diaries
for 2013, so that they can be added to this “Events” section of the magazine and the website.
For the magazine Gary can be contacted at editor@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
For the website Richard Mumford can be contacted at richardmumford@me.com
8th Oct John Sprinzel joining London Area MASC at the Ace Café London, Stonebridge NW10
7UD. Contact Gary Lazarus for details garyfrogeye@gmail.com or 020 7700 5696
20th Oct National Restoration Show and Grand British Autojumble, Stoneleigh Park,
Warwickshire – www.restoration-show.co.uk
27th Oct MASC AGM at Heritage Motor Centre, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ
Contact Club General Secretary Jim Willis jim.willis@tiscali.co.uk or 01527 402804
9th Nov Rolling Road session at CCK (Classic Cars of Kent in Sussex) and run by Daniel Lackey.
Contact: John Clarke 07760 291784 jrclark@sky.com
15th–17th Nov Footman James Classic Motor / Motorbike Show, NEC, Birmingham
www.necclassicmotorshow.com
8th Dec Kent Christmas lunch at Hornby Visitor Centre. Please advise Alan Anstead ASAP
alan.anstead@btopenworld.com
2014
3rd – 5th May Donington Historic Festival 2014 takes place at Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby,
DE74 2RP. Look out for more details in Mascot over the coming months
Send your events details details to editor@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
FINAL REMINDER
Midget and Sprite Club AGM 2013
at the Gaydon Motor Heritage Centre
Banbury Road, Gaydon,
Warwickshire, CV35 0B
Sunday 27th October
1:30pm for 2:00pm Start.
5
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*Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. All bookings are subject to a single transaction fee. All information correct at time of publishing. See website for all information. Tickets include showguide
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tickets save £5.00 off the Sat/Sun door price Club Family tickets save up to £39.50 off the Sat/Sun door6price compared to buying individually! Offer applies to advance bookings only. Hand in your ticket stub or
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7
Letters
Dear Gary,
Don’t you hate those folk who go round
looking at things and spotting the ancient
and unimportant error! I do, and do so
regularly. Take the person who wrote to
Practical Classics criticising the chap who
had put a Mk 6 wing on a Mk 2 or 3 Spridget,
with the resultant mismatch (well known) in
side light location. We all have these choices
to make and it does seem a little churlish to
highlight them in a magazine that just uses
the owner’s car to illustrate a general point of
appreciation of the whole car. John in his Midget resplendent with its
However, we expect more precision in additional storage space, the other image
Mascot, and generally get it. So when I shows John’s anti theft device “Henry”. John
saw the John Spinzel “Red Hunter BSA” writes
picture (p6 of the current magazine) I was Hi Gary
tempted for little while to say nothing, but
that temptation soon passed away so here Just thought I’d mention that Henry (the dog)
is my letter. You can have a BSA, and you comes to a lot of MG and MASC events, but
can have a Red Hunter, but if it’s straight it he’s a useless navigator.
has to be a BSA B31, or Gold Star, or Empire Cheers John
Star, or that sort of thing, or it is an “ARIEL”
Red Hunter. I suspect it is the latter but
the photograph can’t be enlarged to help A Friend in Need
identification. I feel sure John would know. Below is a letter received by the Hampshire
All in all you can see that I digest the Area by new members Joe & Mary Kean
excellent monthly offering with detail Dear Terry & Harriet
enjoyment, and I did feel better for getting
that off my ancient chest. Mary and I being ‘newbies’ to the club would
like to say how much we think the club lives
Best Rearguards Colin Jones up to its name of the Friendly Folk. At the last
Hi Colin, My apologies have already been meeting at the Fox & Goose, being a nice
sent to John, and he assures me that I’m evening most members that attended came
forgiven. in their Midget or Sprite, so we were able to
have a good line up and a chat.
Boot-bag competition winner When the evening broke up we headed off
along the dark country road from the Fox &
MASC boot-bag competition winner John Goose towards the M3. After about half a mile
Wragg has written to prove that his prize is the car lost power and cut out. I said a few
being put to good use. The images show choice words under my breath as I hadn’t a clue
what it was and as this was Mary’s first time in
the Midget, things weren’t looking too good.
Thankfully the first car to come along was
Ken Lowe; Ken seemed to think it was a fuel
problem. Unfortunately he didn’t have any
tools with him so couldn’t really help, but at
least he did have his glasses and was able to
find my breakdown contact number.
Next to come along was Barry and Jenny;
again Barry seemed to think it was fuel
although the gauge was showing half full.
8
this repair I have sprung another leak around
the fuel pump area so it looks like they all
might be going. So I defiantly will be taking
Barry’s advice.
The main purpose of this letter was to pass
on our thanks to Ken, Barry and Jenny for
stopping and helping us out especially to
The culprit . . . Barry and Jenny who remained with us right
to the end. Also for Barry’s offer to help out
Barry also didn’t have tools so couldn’t help even more by coming over to help sort the
a lot either. problem out. It was very much appreciated
Luckily the AA patrol was close by and was and just goes to show the type of friendly
with us within 10mins. Once we knew they and helpful folk we have in Hampshire MASC.
would be along soon Ken left as he had to
drive to Gosport. Between Barry and the AA Kind Regards Joe & Mary Kean
man they came to the conclusion there might . . . and the reply
not be enough fuel in the tank. Barry bless
him went off to the garage and got another Hi Joe
gallon. Once this was in it did managed to It does make your heart sing, I agree! As far
start but it was still struggling. as we are concerned, when you’re part of
It was now midnight, Barry and Jenny had a club that’s what you do. We have sorted
very kindly agreed to follow us home along problems, waited for breakdown trucks,
the A30 as far as Blackwater, but when the arranged for people to be towed, taken them
AA man noticed a pool of fuel under the car to auto factors for parts, tried to follow
he decided to follow us home in case of any people as far as we could when we noticed
problems and Barry and Jenny left. an oil leak, and that’s just the stuff I can think
The next morning I was about to email Barry of, off the top of my head!
to thank him and put him in the picture, I I, too, have been on the receiving end of
found he had already emailed me to check the kindness of the others, as well as being
if we got home ok. He told me Ken had part of the ‘rescue party’ and in my humble
also been in contact to find out how things opinion the Hampshire Chapter is the tops. It
went. I told Barry about the leak and he was just goes to show how the ‘little cars’ make
prepared to come over and help me find the it all special. I’m very glad it was something
problem which I was very grateful for. quite simple (but b****y infuriating) and
I put the car on the ramps and found the fault you’ve got it sorted now.
immediately. The rubber hose near the gear All for one, and one for all!
box had rotted through and was just joined
by a thread; how fuel was getting through at Terry & Harriet
all I don’t know. Barry told me that modern Area Representatives
fuel apparently erodes the rubber hoses and MASC Hampshire Chapter
advised me to look at replacing them all, and
as my Midget had been off the road for seven It’s gratifying to know that new and existing
years this seemed good advice. Since doing members can usually be assured of a warm
welcome and a helping hand if needed. MASC
prides itself on being an open and friendly
club and the Hampshire Area (known as the
Friendly Folk) continues to confirm that this is
the case. My thanks to them also. Gary
If you would like to contact the editor or
the magazine, please email Gary at
editor@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk
Or write to Mascot Editor, 40B Hungerford
. . . and after the repair Road, London. N7 9LP
9
Treasurer’s summary report
st
Notes 31 March 2012
INCOME £ £ £ £
Member’s Subscriptions 1 23,301 20,868
Advertising Revenue 4,699 2,673
Regalia Sales 433 1,491
Commission Earned 815 663
Miscellaneous 65 113
29,313 25,808
EXPENDITURE
Mascot Magazine Printing 14,643 14,772
Mascot Magazine Postage 4,245 4,026
Isubs Subscription Website Fees 1,165 852
Administration & Area Organisers 107 195
Printing & Stationery 319 135
Events, Shows, Promotion 56 464
Regalia Costs 1,499 1,537
Postage 763 735
Insurance 623 552
Mileage 77 185
Advertising costs 624 540
IT Costs 158 111
Bank Charges 167 108
Equipment Depreciation 177 178
24,622 24,390
(Deficit)/Surplus for the year 4,691 1,418
Add: Balance brought forward 1,272 (146)
Balance as at 31st March 2013 5,963 1,272
10
for the year 2012/2013
st
Notes 31 March 2012
£ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Regalia Stock 2,459 1,502
Debtors 72 215
Prepayments 2,498 2,456
Cash at Bank 17,554 11,083
22,583 15,156
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors 3 16,620 14,162
5,963 1,272
RESERVES
Income & Expenditure Account 5,963 1,272
5,963 1,272
11
Book
This month, we are able to bring you reviews of two very long awaited and eagerly
anticipated Spridget related books. Both written by ex-racers, who just happen to also be
regular contributors to Mascot as well as being Midget & Sprite Club members.
The first is “Lucky John” by John Sprinzel ~ his autobiography. The second is “Frogeye
Sprite the complete story” by John Baggott.
Both books have been reviewed by Martin Ingall www.sebringsprite.com
I
feel privileged to have been asked by John an element of ‘luck’ in John’s many exploits
Sprinzel to review his soon-to-be-released he has clearly been skilled at steering a
autobiography, ‘Lucky John’. Anyone who very successful path through life, knowing
has heard John speak at a motoring function instinctively just when it was time to move
will know how good he is at telling a story, his on to the next stage. I read his book on PDFs
detailed recollections always delivered with over a weekend being unable to put it down
a great sense of fun and humour. His book and can’t wait to get my hands on a hard
is no different. Beginning with his boyhood copy. Whether you’re a fan of ‘the man’, of
in North London, he then tells of his years in Sebring Sprites, or of ‘60s and ‘70s rallying
sailing before becoming heavily involved with in general you will certainly enjoy reading it.
cars and motorsport. There is a myriad of If “Spritely Years” was on your must-have list
photos throughout the book, some familiar then this book surely will be. Well done, John,
while many are new to me, and of course a and thank you.
heavy smattering of Sprites among them. I noticed a tiny picture of Tom Coulthard
Many well-known names and faces appear appearing “Hitchcock-like” somewhere in
and I found I was able to place these people the book and I believe it is he who has been
and their relationships to each other more responsible for the slightly unusual but most
accurately than before. There are fascinating successful layout of the pages.
chapters on each of the major international
rallies – I particularly enjoyed the one about John’s book is dedicated to Caryl, John’s wife
the Liège. While the book’s title suggests of forty years, and is published by:
12
Reviews
The Coulthard Press, of Oxford, with design- (about £40 UK). Postage for the US is $5.00
work by Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird. for individual copies, world-wide is $25, or
for four books sent to one address is $15.00
Some copies of “Lucky John” will be
each. (The US Postal Service is losing billions
available during John’s UK visit when
annually, and I believe they are trying to
will sign some at the Ace Cafe on October
recover this with their mailing charges! J.S.)
8th. After that it will be available by e-mailing
luckyjohn@hawaii.rr.com where the PayPal
I anticipate obtaining a small supply of signed
link will let you purchase it, even by credit
copies from John, costing about £50 each
card if you have no PayPal account.
after postage from USA, so if you would like
Numbered, individually signed and dedicated one let me know: email. I will have to add UK
copies of this limited edition are US $60.00 postage to that price.
Frogeye Sprite
the complete story
by John Baggott
R
eleased on 10th September 2013
this new book is said to be “the only
book written exclusively about the
iconic Mark 1 Austin Healey Sprite. The
book covers the full story of the design,
development and manufacture of the
Mark 1 Sprite, including the considerable
success of the car in racing and rallying”.
With foreword by Bic Healey, the book is
published by Crowood Press and priced at
£30 per copy. ISBN: 978-1-84797-550-8.
A signed copy can be obtained from me at
£36 including UK postage, £40 Europe, or
£57 USA, etc.
Here is my review of the book:
“Scorned when it first appeared in 1958
because of its unorthodox frontal design
it was not long before the Sprite gathered
a devoted following from enthusiasts, young and old. Fondness for the first edition, i.e. the
Frogeye, remains pretty strong today which is why John’s new book is likely to be eagerly
snapped up.
Having given a little minor assistance with the editing of the many photos which adorn its
pages I know the lengths to which the author has gone to obtain the detailed histories of the
cars included, and to find period photos, many of which have not been previously published.
It is also great to see the full stories of Speedwell and their GT, the WSMs, the Lenhams, the
Alexander GT and other Sprite variants. John’s meticulous research comes through in all the
potted histories of the various cars and shows just how many lives this little fun sports-car
has touched in the last 50 plus years.
I’m sure many a Frogeye owner, whether past or present, will want to have this book on his/
her ‘motoring’ bookshelf”.”
Martin Ingall
You can contact Martin by email at martin.ingall@btinternet.com
13
Potential new MASC member
from Oregon USA
This is how CBS news in the USA reported a
toddler’s recent car buying adventure.
How old do you have to be to buy a car? Old
enough to tap a button.
14 months old Sorella Stoute was playing
with her father’s smartphone at their
Oregon home recently. After a few screen
taps she wound up on eBay’s web app —
and bought a 1962 Austin Healey Sprite.
Her father, Paul Stoute, had no idea what
she’d done until a confirmed email from
eBay appeared in his inbox, congratulating password protection to his phone to make
him on his purchase. sure she doesn’t accidentally buy him a
Stoute told CBS News “my initial thought Bugatti.
was panic.” Now, call me a cynical old editor, but if I was
Fortunately, Sorella, who can’t even say keen on buying an old Spridget and I knew
“car” yet, is a shrewd bidder and scored that my wife would be livid if I did, and I just
the classic roadster for just $225, so he happened to have a 14 month old daughter,
decided to keep it. then I’d probably use the same excuse! Either
He intends to restore the scuffed-up car way it sounds like a happy ending for Sorella,
for her 16th birthday as a present she’ll her dad and the Sprite.
never forget. And yes, he has since added Gary
14
From The Archives
Mascot no 58
April 1988
Looking through some past
copies of Mascot, I came
across the following article
by (the then still relatively
youthful) Terry Horler. On
pages 26 and 27 of issue
number 58, young Terry
writes:
15
16
New Members Aug-Sep 2013
We extend a warm welcome to the following new and rejoined members
4782 Robert Towell Hertfordshire Midget Mk 3 RWA
4783 Charles Aldridge Essex Sprite Mk1
4784 Fred Diederich Luxembourg Midget 1500
Alastair Mcleod
4785 Buckinghamshire Midget 1500
& Lek Banbditkittisakul
4786 Andrew Alex & Cara MacColl Suffolk Sprite Mk 1
4787 Donato Sandri Italy Midget Mk3
Essex Area member
Charles Aldridge with
his Frogeye
A pair of Paul
Hodkinson’s
IOW Frogeyes
J
ust before my Frogeye replica was Crispin Whiting. I met
completed, I chanced upon an elderly Crispin and saw his lovely
gent at a local car show who had what car. He had met the old
turned out to be an Isle of Wight Frogeye. It gent and assured me the
was a 1275 four speed with L registration price was right for the
which confused me. I had little knowledge of car. Anyway long story
them and had never seen one in the flesh. short, I missed the car
I was very impressed by the superb build by 24 hours as it was
quality and the attention to detail. The doors bought by a chap for his
and bonnet closed with a solid clunk and girlfriend. They appear
the shutlines were spot on. Underneath I to have no idea what
found the galvanized chassis and modern they bought and are not
axle location with tramp bars and coil over interested in our club. I
shocks. researched as much as
I could and read “More
The old gent mentioned the car might be for Healeys” to gen up on the IOW
sale for £8K and I was instantly torn between cars, which I now lust after.
getting my Tifosi Rana finished and possibly
obtaining this modern take on my favourite June Mascot had a mention of a Notts and
car shape. I consulted Alan Anstead who put Derby member, Paul Hodkinson, possibly
me in touch with IOW owner and enthusiast selling an IOW car and Alan was able to
put me in touch with Paul who is a totally
knowledgeable IOW “Nut”. It transpired that
Paul is not the owner of one but THREE
IOW Supersprites, the factory built cars
as opposed to the self build or restoration
assemblies that were originally offered for
sale. He also keeps contact and regularly
visits Keith Brading the Supersprite builder on
the Isle of Wight. It was during one of these
visits that Paul persuaded Keith to sell him
the last body and chassis for a Supersprite
The Frogeye Car Companies chassis and rear axle that was ever made. Paul has been gathering
18
Frogeye
parts for a while now and has about
96% of parts required to build
another car. During our phone chat
Paul offered me the chance to look
at his cars if I were in the area.
Now that was too good an offer to
pass up on so on the hottest day of
the year I went north! I arrived at Paul’s
home and we got down to a serious
Supersprite day whilst his wife Laura kept us
going with food and drinks. First we watched
1275 ‘A Series’ engines Supersprite
a fascinating period video of a TV show
featuring the IOW cars including one that he fixing a long list of problems and making it
now owns. Then Paul produced two excellent closely resemble the beautiful white car. He
volumes that he has put together of the cars was by now in contact with Keith Brading and
history together with details of his own cars. discovered that he had the one of the two
All this of course was a prelude to the main original product development cars built for
event, seeing the actual vehicles. Paul is very the home market, a Supersprite with 1275
obviously a perfectionist and as the garage engine and five speed Ford gearbox. When
doors opened to reveal the very first and the later he came across the very last car made
last production Supersprites, I felt like a kid in he had to acquire that too with its Rover K
a sweetshop. series and five speed box.
The story needs to rewind a little as Now being a beautiful hot day and with two
Paul explained how he came to get into open top sports cars before us, it seemed
Frogeyes. He had a disabled daughter with silly not to have a back to back comparison
whom he wished to spend some fun time drive and Paul took me on a spirited drive in
in a sportscar so went looking at a dealer’s both cars. The 1275 car was comfortable
forecourt. He seemed to draw a blank and gave a great ride with superb brakes
until the salesman showed him a white (Paul has added servos to both cars) the
Frogeye. Paul’s reaction was, “I don’t want dash is a similar layout to my own car but
one of those bloody things they rust away!” the ride and feel is a huge leap forward. The
The salesman persisted and showed the K series was very quick and gave possibly a
fibreglass and kevlar body, the modern Rover slightly smoother ride which probably proves
K series engine and five speed FSO gearbox that Mr Brading was still developing the cars.
and a deal was done. Paul and his daughter It also had a very much simpler dash layout
had their fun car although sadly she passed which I believe was to do with SVA of the
away only a couple of years later. The white time.
Supersprite had only done a few thousand
miles and still looks like a new car. Paul was For any of you purists out there that may
obviously hooked and when he found out scoff at the idea of a fibreglass Frogeye
about another car in London he had to go or feel that they are in some way not ‘real’,
look. Of course he bought it and set about get yourself a ride in one before passing
20
Silverstone Classic Weekend ~
26 to 28 July 2013
MASC stand at
Silverstone
T
he weather was glorious for the Midget & India Clegg and Martin McGlone, and two
Sprite Club’s 30 year celebration which wonderful Spitfires took to the air as we
coincided with the Classic weekend and munched our cake – presumably just for us!
the space allotted to the Club at Silverstone Quite a moving occasion. Unfortunately the
was filled to bursting with Sprites and planned parade lap was cancelled due to a
Midgets of all varieties. Among them were dramatic electrical storm during which many
11 Archer Sebring replicas marking 20 years of us were driving away from the circuit.
since the first of the Coupés was built in
1993, accompanied by Stephen Bowen’s
original Sebring WJB 707 on which they
were modelled. A number of examples of the
pretty Fastback version were also present.
During the Saturday lunch break in the racing,
Andrew Forster of Archers and myself cut
a specially crafted celebration cake for the
gathered throng. As if on cue the two Sebring
Sprites which were racing over the weekend Lining up for the
turned up in the hands of Chris, Charlie and parade lap, which
didn’t happen!
A
nother month of fabulous sunshine, a to sunshine again and made for another
Sprite adventure, a car show, Sprite glorious topless high factor day.
night, new members and catching up
on Super Silverstone, yes Silverstone. I
assumed that August Mascot would have
been overflowing with stories from our
national event and as East Anglia was
bursting at the seams with other stuff I said
nothing about it even though it was the best
for years.
We had a great pitch in a prominent position
a huge turn out of fabulous cars (some very
rare and historic) bolstered by a brilliant
display of Sebrings. We certainly had one
of the most dynamic and popular stands on
the circuit and generated huge interest, I Displaying on the closed
had more or less a full time job on the stand streets of Buntingford
on the Saturday. We had brilliant weather
through the weekend apart from a torrential
downpour just as we were forming up on the Next up was Sprite night with the prospect of
track for our lap. The lap was unfortunately yet more new victims to name and shame in
(but very sensibly) cancelled, or rather Mascot (anything you say at a MASC meeting
postponed until next year. will be taken down and used in Mascot to
Next up was our second French Sprite embarrass you). The predicted new faces did
adventure of the year, but this time, apart turn up, three in all and a couple of them put
from the trip down to Plymouth on the Friday us all to shame by arriving in very nice proper
before the bank holiday, was glorious top cars.
down sunshine all the way. On the way down Note – provisional date for the Christmas
about 100 miles from Plymouth the pleasant meal is the 15 December.
evening turned to torrential rain on the Devon
expressway and with the Sprite boot packed See you all at the oldest Inn in England and
to capacity and water flowing down the hills beyond.
we were not so much aquaplaning but more Dave Dixon (AKA Red Leader)
Sprite surfing (very scary stuff). I had to slow
right down and arrived in Plymouth much Email: e-dave@hotmail.co.uk
later than planned, but safely. As I said the Tel: 01733 222 810
22
Heart of England Report
B
ank Holiday
Sunday dawned
overcast but
dry, as we set off
to the Coventry
Motor Festival,
at the National
Agricultural Centre
at Stoneleigh, near
Coventry. The event
has been running
for many years,
but this is only the
second year at this
venue. Meeting up
with friends from
the club and extras,
we had a breakfast
of bacon butties (cooked on site this year) as well as lovely old bikes and new for this
and set off on the run. There was a huge year, steam traction engines. A fly-past of a
variety of cars taking part from pre-war to
Hurricane and Spitfire was followed later by
large American, even a Nash Metropolitan.
There were plenty of Midgets and Sprites of the firing up of a Hercules engine.
all varieties. This is a wonderful family event to take part in,
In previous years the Coventry Motor Festival or just to visit. The route is about 50 miles long
run had gone nowhere near Coventry! This and the instructions are very well prepared and
year was different and we headed towards easily understood. Even my navigator, who had
Coventry City Centre, where a carefully never done an event like this before, managed
managed route took us past the Cathedrals, to guide me round the route.
up through Broadgate, down some narrow
Dave Puzey
streets behind the Holy Trinity Church and
back past the Cathedral again. In fact we Heart of England Area Rep
went down some roads that despite living Email: davepuzey01@aol.com
in Coventry for over 20 years, I had never Tel: 024 7671 2384
been down before. Even walking! At one point
we were followed by the James Bond rocket
equipped green XK. Thankfully they were all
un-armed! The run continued on it more usual
route through Kenilworth and Leamington
Spa town centres and then along the Fosse
Way towards Gaydon,
We had a blast up Burton Dassett Hills
and past plenty of pubs, which some of
the earlier cars had stopped at. The route
continued east before heading north and
then west to Southam and Long Itchington.
After meeting up at the Duck on the Pond at
Long Ichington for a pint and picnic, we sat
outside and watched the cars go by, before
re-joining the drive to return to Stoneleigh.
As usual a great display of cars (over 1000),
ranging from the oldest steam cars to the
most modern day Jaguars were on show,
23
Hampshire
Amberley Museum of coffee we returned to the showground to
display our purchases; most responses went
Classic Car & Picnic along the lines of ‘what are you going to do
We met John and Vic at the Whiteways Café with that?’ and ‘what do you want that for?’
and were joined by Alan and Jill from Sussex much the same as when the odd ‘rusty bit’
MASC. Our little convoy then travelled to is proudly waved aloft – oh well, to each his
Amberley Museum for the picnic with a own!
couple of hundred more classics.
Amberley Museum is an old lime quarry with
some of the old buildings housing some of
the exhibits which include BT, Printing works,
steam engines, Southdown buses, etc. and
some parts are linked with a narrow gauge
railway. There is one heck of a lot on offer for
one day.
As it was sunny and hot we first found a
sheltered spot under some trees for our
chairs then we went our own ways arranging
to meet at a set time for the picnic. It was
HOT!! The shade back at the chairs was Hants at Newberry
a welcome relief even if the back of my
chair split away from the frame, much to Our stand attracted quite a few visitors
the amusement of the others – almost a and it was nice chatting to them about
backward flip – head down legs up!! No!! I’m their respective cars. After lunch and a well
not getting fat!! earned rest we wandered off to look at cars,
stalls, eat cakes etc.
25
From the Bowels of Bristol
I
really can’t believe this. Our visit to
Wiltshire as reported in the last edition
made the local news. You may recall, some
of our number thought it a bit of a wheeze to
do a few laps in a Wiltshire corn field on the
way home.
Wiltshire is famous for its ‘crop circles’,
something that has become a major tourist
attraction over the years. It seems that
our impromptu and totally unplanned crop
– art has won major acclaim amongst the
‘Croppies’. In addition to the local newspaper
running a full page article on this inexplicable
creation, CROP CIRCLE MONTHLY magazine
produced some aerial images from their
radio controlled model reconnaissance
aircraft. Their headline declaring it –
‘A-MAIZE-ING’. Quite honestly, we were very
impressed too, this being our first attempt.
As one of the corn bending team has enough
Spridgley horsepower to perform some very
tight doughnuts, two of us practiced a few ‘J’
turns in the corners of the field. The result,
which we cannot reproduce here as CROP The Bristol Area’s revolutionary new Sat-nav
system had its shortcomings
CIRCLE MONTHLY has all the photo rights, I
can best describe as looking rather like the
old BBC TV Test card with a Catherine wheel could celebrate this with a quick ‘Wicker Man’
where the little girl’s face would have been. attempt on the way home. As we forgot the
ladder, and it was now raining, we just left
The ‘Croppies’ have jammed their Forums Wiltshire as we had found it this time – but
with likely theories as to what sort of alien role on next summer!
craft was responsible, furthermore, much
speculation as to the message contained Onto more local news. Bombshell – Trevor
within the strange pattern. The only message Large has a Midget. He proudly brought it
I could see that was one of our Spridgley along to our September meet at the Rose
things has a weak handbrake on the offside. & Crown, Pucklechurch. As the evenings
Anyway, it seems our visit has worked are now dark, and it was raining, our group
wonders for the Wiltshire Tourist Trade, even inspection could do nothing more than agree
the farmer is cashing in with guided tours that it was indeed, a Midget. However, this
and cream teas. did at long last remove Trevor from his
Our Wiltshire branch was also impressed solitude of having to sit at the ‘Don’t believe
and invited us back during August for a you’ve got one table’ to equal solitude on the
hero’s reception in a pub near Box. Our ‘Good table’ (None of the rest of us arrived
thanks to Andy Cross for the invite and in by Spridgley thing on that dark and wet
typical Cross style, the Pub was at the top evening). With such a throng on the ‘Naughty
of yet another steep hill – albeit a short one Table’, Alan Lo removed himself to the ‘Girly
this time. The evening began with a tour of Table’. Bet you didn’t know we had one – well,
the Cross residence in Lower Box, Andy no we didn’t until Alan suddenly decided to skip
doubt planning to maximize the altitude of tables and chat to a couple of non-Spridgley
this short run. Quite what Andy’s neighbours thing Girly things.
thought of around a dozen Spridgley things We have yet to question Alan about this, as
parking in their hedges and blocking their will Mrs Lo when she reads this!
egress is not known. We thoroughly enjoyed
our second visit to Wiltshire and thought we Terry Horler
26
Austin Healeysport Speed Hillclimb
Les Procter in the White with green
striped Sebring replica at Harewood
28
Yorkshire Area Report
Dave’s K Series
engined Midget
I
t was feeling distinctly like the start of the electronic module – improved starting
Autumn up in Yorkshire for the September and smoother running from the off!
meeting. We had an interesting mix of cars In addition to the MASC meeting, there was a
this month; with three Spridgets joined by general classic car meeting in the centre of
my big brown Rover, Geoff & Angie’s Tahiti York, on the first Wednesday. This was well
blue BGT, Ken’s ‘Marmalade’ (apparently attended by a fair few MGAs, a few Bs and I.
‘Little Red’ was blocked by other cars) and This is happening again in October; I’ll let you
Tim’s TF. Russell was also along (in a modern) know details via the normal channels.
with a tale of non-starting woe. Of the three
Spridgets we had a lovely Frog, a teal Sprite As the weather closes in then it’s bound to
and a silver K-Midget belonging to Dave. I’d be quieter, however historically MASC has
been ‘hunting’ this K for a while, it’s on a carried on throughout, and this year will be
heritage shell and is running a 1600K with no exception. It’s time to look forward to
twin Webbers, and Dave kindly let me have a next year, where we will be having a drive
good poke round. There’s getting to be quite for more meetings throughout the Yorkshire
a collection of K-ers in Yorkshire, though area, and hopefully I’ll have more time to
Dave had come down from South Shields in come on/organise more runs.
convoy with the BGT. For now though, it’s same again, so I hope
We were testing the fitment of electronic to see some of you at the Nag’s Head next
ignition to the big V8, which has worked month, on the 12th of October, whatever the
fantastically well. In fact after the meeting I weather!
went straight to dad’s Midget and we fitted Rob
29
the only solution to your
ignition problems!!!
WANTED
Midgets and Sprites
Excellent prices paid for properly
restored cars
Especially Frogeyes, Original or IOW Frogs
Even unfinished restorations and
Heritage Shelled cars
www.mgmidgets.com
30
NW Area Report
I
was unable to attend the September The same weekend (August bank holiday)
meeting and some others were on holiday was the Oulton Park Gold Cup race meeting.
so I’m writing this report from what I can
This is a fantastic weekend with loads of
remember – apologies if I have some facts
classic racing and entry is free for club
wrong or missed people out.
displays!
When a few members attended the Speke On the Sunday there was five of us, me,
Hall car show they got invites to another Bernie, Lee, Pete and Fraser and Lesley.
show, at Clockface in St Helens on 2 4th Glorious weather, dare I say it a bit too hot!
August; Mike / Karen, and Bernie / Lynne Monday was Bernie, Neil and Shelly, Ian, Lee,
attended. Pete, Mike and Karen.
Racing was excellent with historic sports,
By all accounts it was a small show but very single seaters and touring cars etc – racing
enjoyable. Bernie picked up another trophy, just how it used to be.
this time for the best car of show selected by
the car club members – congratulations and On the Monday Jonathan Palmer (yes, the
well deserved. Jonathan Palmer!) was having a walk about,
to be fair he does own
Bernie’s trophy the circuit so I suppose
it’s like him walking
around his back garden.
He came chatting to the
boys, intrigued by Pete’s
K-Series conversion and
Bernie’s award winning
Sprite.
Ian remembered Mr
Palmer from his very
early days of racing
and asked him if he
remembered when he
raced a Marcos and Ian
loaned him a jack, to
which Ian added that he
still hadn’t got it back!!
Well that’s all I can
remember, but will finish
off with a reminder that
October meeting is the
annual quiz night hosted
this time by last years
winners Mike and Karen.
Please come along, this
is very informal and good
fun.
See you at the Kilton on
9th October.
Les
Email:
les.robinson@torotrak.com
Tel:01772 496594
31
Kent Area
were parked together. Martin Ingalls’ well
known JJO, mine, and rebuild fresh, Andy
Chaffey’s.
Martin brought along a preview copy of Kent
member’s John Baggott’s new book ‘Frogeye
Sprite / The complete story’ which will be on
sale September 10th (RRP £30 ISBN 978-1-
84797-550-8).
Those lucky enough may get the book and
John Sprinzel’s new book “Lucky John” for
Christmas?
Sebring Sprite replicas at the Angel Dave Chalk, & Debbie, paid a fleeting visit to
let us know that he was watching eBay for
Monthly meeting at the Angel, a Sierra T9 gearbox for which I had already
Addington Green made him a chassis kit. Still a popular
conversion it seems!
B
y the preceding Friday evening I had
been contacted and 23 person’s names Andy Gibson probably travelled the furthest
had been put forward as coming to the coming from the seaside town of Whitstable
monthly meet, but Saturday was truly wet so in his Midget Mk2? Whereas Graeme Williams
how many would actually show? (Austin Sprite?) lives just ‘round the corner.
Ian & Bernadette Clifton brought along their
Sunday started overcast but when the hour black Midget Mk3 with unusual grey trim.
came and sunshine was required, the Saints Lisa & Jerry Diccox came in a Mk2 Sprite
of Sunshine did us proud. If only the Saint of whilst Ralph came in his Frogeye so that
Flooded Roads had been so kind as to clear with Peter Gardiner in his black Midget (still
my route for me! wearing its Bressiurre Historique GP & Loire
Valley Tour Plaque but soon to be swapped
New members Peter & Ann Collins brought for third Miglia Tour plaque) and Mel & Barb
along their well travelled Frogeye (Spridget in their Midget 1500 we might, had Paul &
based) replica. Travelling far and wide at Jane brought their Austin Sprite and Rylan his
home and abroad, perhaps they will share Austin Healey Sprite Mk3, have had one of
some future adventures with us in Mascot. every mark?
Also new to MASC, and Spridget motoring
was Nick Ditton, his sights already set on A great day was capped by the appearance
some cosmetic upgrades to his car. of Mascot Editor Gary Lazarus in Gaps
A goodly collection of Spridgets did their Above images with thanks to and (C) Martin
best to fill the car park. Three Sebring reps Ingall and www.sebringsprite.com
Andy and his Sebring New Kent Member Nick Ditton’s Sprite Mk4
32
Report
off and picking up agents of the Special
Operations Executive (S.O.E) behind
enemy lines. Such aircraft from 161 & 138
Squadrons were based nearby at Tempsford
airfield. After a couple of well spent hours
viewing the exhibits we left endeavouring to
avoid travel hold ups but as said that was not
wholly to be.
Richard Shuttleworth died whilst flying during
a night training exercise in August 1940.
Find out more about the collection at
www.shuttleworth.org
Spridgets assemble at Costa del Greenhithe
R
ichard Ormonde Shuttleworth, who
became a successful racing driver
winning the first GP at Donington Park
in 1935 driving a P3 Alfa Romeo, was born
in 1909 and became interested in all things The Westland at the Shuttleworth collection.
mechanical at an early age. Although he went (C) Chris Day
on to pursue various sporting activities his
leisure time was taken building a sizeable **Suggestions for venues for future Kent MASC
collection of old cars and aeroplanes, ‘Old Boys’ mid week runs are always welcome.
restoring them to working condition and Offers to organise a run even more so!
forming the nucleus of the collection, which
we were to visit on 21st August. Remembering John Larrington
Seven Spridgets assembled at Costa (coffee)
K
del Greenhithe as a prelude to a drive along ent & Surrey MASC member John
M25 / M11 to the Shuttleworth Collection at Larrington died last September (2012).
Old Warden aerodrome, Biggleswade, Beds. Ron Edwards has sent in pictures of
John inspecting a Le Mans Sprite.
The weather was kind making the motorway
drive almost bearable. There were of course Alan Anstead
delays due to two minor fender benders in Kent Area Rep
the outside lane. With the cars stationary alan.anstead@btopenworld.com
why did the drivers feel the need to exit their http://www.masckent.org
cars and wander around with mobiles to ear
instead of removing the vehicles, with care, to
the comparative safety of the nearside hard
shoulder or from the motorway completely?
The collection at the venue did not
disappoint. Aircraft from 1895 to 2003.
Cars from 1898–1969. Agricultural vehicles,
bicycles, engines and more. My personal
favourite was a Westland Lysander built to a
spec’ calling for a rugged, short take off and
landing aircraft for low level reconnaissance
and Army co-operation. Perhaps the role
for which this type of aircraft is best The late John Larrington inspecting a Le Mans
remembered is that of a ‘Spy Taxi’ dropping Sprite
33
Scotland Area Report
F
or us up in Scotland, the classic car
motoring scene has been very busy over
the last few weeks.
T
he pretty Suffolk village of Walsham Le
Willows has been organising a charity
Open Gardens over the August Bank
Holiday for over 30 years and usually include
a couple of non-gardening attractions such
as classic cars.
Having a foot in both the Essex MASC and
South Essex MGOC camps, I offered to
organise a run to the Walsham Le Willows
Open Gardens for members of both clubs.
Then we would have a bigger and more
varied group of classic cars to display to the
public visitors.
Jenny & I were to lead the MASC group and
Barry & June King had kindly offered to lead Diane and Gary Knights in their Frog. Many thanks
the MGOC group. At 10 minutes intervals, to Jenny Plumb for the image
each group departed from outside JD
Classics, Maldon to follow a 55 mile route
on mainly minor roads. After five miles, pump problem – a hit with the krooklok soon
a Frogeye joined us and we continued via sorted it. Our group of 4 Sprites, 3 Midgets,
Messing and Marks Tey to the next pick 1 MGA and 5 MGBs joined the 2 Triumphs, 2
up point at Fordham. After a quick “good Jaguars, Daimler Dart, BMW and 2 modern
morning” the convoy which now included sports cars to provide an interesting display
4 more Frogs continued northwards to for the many visitors. The owner, Collen, had
cross the River Stour into Suffolk near kindly erected a large party tent in the event
Wormingford. After the recent heavy rain, of rain which fortunately was not required.
we cautiously approached the first ford but it More importantly, the garden had ‘all mod
was passable even in a lowered Spridget. cons’ such as a bbq, pizza oven, ice cream,
beer tent and a loo!
After a short small A road section,
The programme detailed the 30 gardens
we headed for the second ford in the
which were open throughout the village.
picturesque village of Kersey where Jenny
Individuals then visited the ones that
exited the car to photograph each car as
particularly interested them with some using
it passed through the shallow splash. More
the free minibus transport to reach the more
interesting lanes followed before we joined
outlying ones. Various people were seen
the B1115 through a series of villages with
carrying plants or craft items that had been
their traditional timber buildings. At Great
purchased. A new idea this year was a ‘car I
Finborough, we turned towards Woolpit
would like to drive home’ competition when
where we crossed over the A14 trunk road
visitors had to complete a voting slip after
en route to Elmswell. Just after crossing the
looking at the cars on display. The car with
railway, we were delayed by a family of ducks
the most votes was the lovely 1972 Flame
out for a morning stroll. Once clear, only five
Red MG Midget owned by Essex MASC
miles remained before we arrived at Walsham
members David & Ann Leonard for which they
Le Willows.
received a range of Autoglym products.
I had pre arranged for us to park the cars in Our day finished with a slow parade lap of
garden five which already had some other the village to show off the cars to the visitors
classics as well as a couple of modern before departing for home.
sports cars. The MASC group, which included
an MGA, arrived unscathed whilst the MGOC Doug Plumb
group were slightly delayed due to a petrol Member 4071
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Tyres and the new MOT rules
ARE YOUR TYRES SAFE? A word to the wise!
In November 2012 the law in the UK changed,
so that vehicles registered before 1960 no
longer require a current MOT certificate to
be used on the road. With free road tax and
limited mileage insurance, classic motoring
has never been so cheap, but take care;
there is the increased possibility of owners
of pre-1960s cars choosing to not replace
their tyres, which suggests owners are not
checking them properly or worse still – taking
chances.
Following several reported incidents of
fatalities related to the use of old tyres, the
British Association of Rubber Manufacturers
stated that “If a tyre is six years old and
unused it should not be put into service; and
in ideal conditions a tyre has a maximum
lifespan of ten years.” Image (C) Vintage Tyre Supplies Limited
Old unused tyres can of course look like new – particularly if they are described as such;
however the degrading process will continue unseen and once fitted the dynamic input often
leads to sidewall cracking, delamination and ultimately catastrophic failure. Whilst a lot of
tyres could appear to be sound and even have good tread depth, the performance of older
tyres in terms of braking, grip and wet weather performance – or simply the ability to cope
with the heat and stresses generated by running a tyre – is dangerously reduced.
Most tyre suppliers can give advice. Vintage Tyre Supplies Limited, base at The National
Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire, have prepared a handy guide showing you what to look
for. Email them at sales@vintagetyres.com and they will send you a free copy.
Market Place
Adverts to Alan Lo, 23 Charnell Road, Staple Hill, Bristol, BS16 5NE
email: alan@mobuzzing.net Tel: 0117 9572617
Wanted: Prospective new member seeks pre 1975 Midget or similar. Not a mechanical
expert but happy to tidy up. Call Keith on 01480 470113 or keithsomers57@gmail.com
For sale: Wide wheels DIY for your Sprite. 4.5 inch rims to replace standard 3.5 inch rims,
13x4.5 £20 total. Reg Bradbury 01889 271037-Staffs.
For Sale: Various new body panels, hardtop and front bulkhead (possible project) for Frogeye
Sprite. email nigel.baston@btinternet.com for full list and photos.
For Sale: 1968 (G Reg) Midget 1275cc. (see image) Tartan Red with wire wheels. Re-built
with new Heritage shell in 1995 and only 5000
miles since. Only used in summer conditions, no
rust or rot and with decent paint. All mechanical
parts were re-built or replaced as necessary
including unleaded conversion and alternator.
Red interior trim, black hood and tonneau.
Good, reliable runner. A really useable car. All
old MOTs etc. available. Price £4,975. Phone
Eric on 01788 817491 (Midlands) for further
details and photos by email.
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