The Sprite boys barn find. But then, they live in a barn!
Dave riveting in the boot floor
Meanwhile, Regalia Secretary Viv Dodson was miles away....
(Updated 15th November)
Midland Centre took part in two shows recently, the Stoneleigh Restoration Show in October.
The theme at Stoneleigh is very much restoration, and the organisers were keen to know what we would be restoring on the stand. No displaying a finished car then! Dave Hardwick brought along his BN7, a car that he has been rebuilding over several years along with several other projects. The car will be very special; the chassis will incorporate several modifications some to increase strength as found on the original works cars such as additional bracing around the suspension pick-up points and engine mounts. Others to reduce weight such as aluminium panels including sections of the front and rear bulkheads. The day's "restoration bit" involved fitting and riveting in place an aluminium floor to the boot.
Also courtesy of the "Spritly Boys" was a "barn find" Frogeye due for restoration. This did not progress very far during the day as they couldn't decide which part to tackle first!
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The Sprite boys barn find. But then, they live in a barn! |
Dave riveting in the boot floor |
Meanwhile, Regalia Secretary Viv Dodson was miles away.... |
Peter Dodson with the support of Midland Centre members organised another great stand for this, the second of the two annual NEC classic car shows. The crowds on the Saturday were some of the largest seen, with a constant stream of visitors to the stand. Some were well known faces but many others were new to Healeys or considering buying one and looking for advice.
At the show, Phil Gardner was awarded "Best Car Event of The Year 2002"
for the AH50 celebrations at Wokefield Park and Thruxton. Mike Ward, Midland
Centre Chairman, collected the award on Phil's behalf. Well done Phil.
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The AHC Stand |
Time for a chat during a quiet moment |
Putting up the balloons. Well done that person who blew them up. |
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Bob Kemp with his sprite loaned to the Moss stand for the weekend. |
A decomposed 100 driver. ( the theme of the show was ghouls and ghosts) |
On the Jaguar stand, 007's XK8. All the accessories are really well engineered. |
This car was one of 20 cars manufactured at the Healey Motor Co in Warwick and was used to publicise the car. This particular car was used in the Turin Motor Show in 1953, driven back to the UK by Geoffrey and Margot Healey. The car was then shipped to America and used there to publicise the Austin Healey 100. The car was recently purchase by Mr Carr and shipped back to the UK for full restoration. Following this work the car will then be exhibited in a motor museum in the UK.
A genuine right hand drive car supplied to Charles Clark & Son in Wolverhampton on 17 May 1963. The car remained in the Dudley/Stourbridge area until purchased by the present owner The car was professionally restored by the previous owner in 1986 and has been a winner of many concous events since then, including the 1987 International Austin Healey Weekend meeting. The car has covered less than 5000 miles since it was restored but has been used regularly since April, covering over 3000 miles.
Owner:- David Plews
Current owner purchased the car 12 years ago. The history behind the car is that it was an Ex-Works 1961 demonstration car based at Longbridge and was featured in 'Autocar' and other motoring magazines of the period. The car has been fully restored to full Rally - Race Specification and has full FIA papers and FIVA Logbook. The 3000cc engine is John Chatham prepared unit, with triple 45 Weber carburetors, straight cut gearbox and uprated overdrive, etc
Owner:- Allan Cameron (This car is for sale 07702 152852)
The owner purchased the car in December 1959, 4 months after the car was first registered, which incidentally was his first car. The bodywork has been modified by fitting a fiberglass front end complete with inner wings. The bodywork behind the seats has been cut away and a separate boot lid has been fitted. The engine is a series 'A' 1275cc unit, the transmission has been uprated to match the increased engine power, 51/2 wire wheels have also been fitted. The brakes have been changed with disc on the front and larger drums on the rear. The car was restored in 1985 by Wheeler & Davis Ltd and was 1st in class, Sprite modified, for 10 years at the International Healey Austin Healey Weekend meetings
Owner:- Alan Twitchett
This car has been modified by the present owner to provide a workhorse for his business, which is the supply of body shells and body parts for the Sprite range of cars. The car was modified and re-registered in May this year, some 6 months ago and took 4 months to change its appearance. An usual modification which is both functional and pleasing to the eye. The car has been fitted with an 'A' Series 1275cc engine and Ford Sierra 5 speed gearbox.
Present owner Brian Wheeler
