Auction Date: March 13
FEATURE LOT
S
Lot No. 199:
1961 Austin-Healey "Sebring Sprite" Vintage Racing Car
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| Chassis No. | ||||
| AN51-38131 | ||||
| Estimate: | ||||
| $50,000-$75,000 US | ||||
| Race-prepared 998 cc BMC A-Series inline four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with upper and lower A-arms and coil springs, live rear axle with double trailing links and quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and front disc, rear drum hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 80" Following the Austin-Healey 100, Donald Healey and BMC teamed up to introduce the Sprite in 1958. Speed parts were soon available from tuning firms and most notably from Speedwell Performance Conversions. The firm also collaborated with Frank Costin and the Williams & Pritchard coachworks to produce a number of lightweight body components, including the “Monza” bonnet and the Speedwell Sprite GT fixed-head coupe. Sprites were campaigned in the most important rallies and sports car races, with particular success at the Sebring 12 Hours, where three standard-bodied Sprites swept the podium in 1959. As later described by Sprinzel and Tom Coulthard in Spritely Years, “Sebring Sprite” was a catch-all term for racing Sprites homologated under FIA guidelines in 1960 with various mechanical upgrades and other modifications including standard or modified bodywork. At Sebring in 1960, Stirling Moss took first in class and fourth overall in the four-hour race, while John Sprinzel earned a class victory in the 12-hour event. The 1961 Sebring Sprite offered here, originally registered JAX 12, is listed within Spritely Years as having been originally fitted with lightweight alloy door skins and rear bodywork. It was first owned by Jack Wolchover, an English rally racer of note who competed with JAX 12 in the October 1961 Bournemouth National Rally, the March 1962 Cullen Cup Rally and the August 1962 Bolton Rally, followed by a number of club events. Re-registered 791 NAR, the Sprite found its way stateside where it was restored by Jeremy Bowkett and raced by Peter McLaughlin. At the 1996 Monterey Historics, the Sprite achieved a podium finish with Stirling Moss driving, after a spirited battle with a Morgan Plus Four and an Abarth Porsche. As Moss commented in the January 1996 Road & Track, “The Sprite’s a lovely car, and with its modest power, it handles so well.” As offered, the Sprite is fitted with a fiberglass bonnet and a lift-off hardtop, as well as being fully sorted with Tilton clutch and brake assemblies, an ATL fuel cell and Minilite racing wheels. Please note, Mr. Peter McLaughlin has generously donated this car, and the entire net sale proceeds will benefit The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, Inc. |
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| Addendum Please note this car is sold on a "Bill of Sale" only. |
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