For Sale ex-Andrew Hedges Sebring Sprite

Autosport 2011, NEC, Birmingham, UK
 

Europe' most important International Motor Sport Exhibition held over five days, this show is a must for anyone involved in Motor Sport, either as a professional or an enthusiast. Coys will hold their annual major sale of Sport, Sports Racing and GP motor cars at this event.

ENTRIES ARE INVITED

To enter your Motor Car into this Auction, please contact our
Auction Specialists on 0044 (0) 208 614 7888 or auctions@coys.co.uk

AUCTION TIMES:
         Saturday 15th January 2011
         Automobilia at 12.30
         Motor Cars auction at 3pm

          VIEWING:    
         Friday 14th January from 9am until 6pm
         Saturday 15th January from 9am until 6pm

          LOCATION:
         The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT

Lot 220 - Ex-Andrew Hedges Sebring Sprite

Estimate: £80,000 - £100,000
Registration Number: 410 EAU
Chassis Number: AN5/43019

Built as a standard ‘Frogeye’ at Abingdon on 12th July 1960, this Sprite was originally painted Iris Blue and registered on 18th July 1960 as GUY 603, for its first owner Thomas ‘Guy’ Wilson, a solicitor from Carlisle, Cumbria. It was then dispatched to the Donald Healey Motor Co. at Grosvenor Street, London, and converted to Sebring specification for Guy to compete in motorsport activities at club level.

The following year, Guy Wilson sold the Sprite through John Sprinzel Ltd. of Lancaster Mews, London and retained his personal registration. On 12th April 1961 the car was re-registered 410 EAO and purchased by Andrew Hedges. The sale included converting the car into a full alloy bodied coupe – one of only six such models produced by the renowned Williams and Pritchard Ltd. When completed, EAO was painted metallic Healey Ice Blue with an additional dark blue stripe, echoing that of a small number of other race cars competing under the Scuderia Light Blue banner. Expert tuner Don Moore provided the highly tuned race engine. EAO’s competition debut in alloy coupe form, was the 1000 km race at the Nurburgring in May 1961. With Andrew Hedges sharing the driving with fellow Scuderia Light Blue team mate Bill McCowen, it finished 4th in class and 32nd overall.

Other appearances included:
• Snetterton 100 Trophy Meeting
• Silverstone BRDC 23rd British Empire Trophy Meeting
• Aintree RAC British Grand Prix Meeting
• Snetterton Autosport Championship Race
• Brands Hatch BRSCC Peco Trophy Race
• Nurburgring 500 km
• Urcy Hillclimb (Nr, Dijon)
• Snetterton BRSCC Autosport 3 Hours
• Montlhery Autodrome, Coupe de Salon Meeting
• Montlhery Autodrome, 1000 km de Paris

At the end of a very full and successful 1961 season, EAO was overhauled by Abingdon’s Competitions Dept. (where it had also received regular servicing).

It was again returned to John Sprinzel Ltd. in October 1961, and advertised for sale. However, EAO was purchased by its next owner - Les Arnold, when he noticed the car being trailered across London. He followed it for several miles back to Andrew’s home, before enquiring about its purchase. Les Arnold was the owner of a fleet of London taxis, who competed with EAO during 1962 and 1963, mainly in club events. He achieved great success with the car which resulted in the offer of a drive with the Healey Motor Co. (sharing with Clive Baker), for Le Mans in 1964. Sadly, he declined the offer.

In 1964, the car passed into the hands of Michael Barne. He continued to race EAO in club events, during his ownership the car was repainted Healey Ice Blue, but without the dark blue stripe. EAO was subsequently sold to Michael Barnett’s brother-in-law- John Dorey, for use on the road.

The following year - 1965, EAO was purchased by Chris Milner. He competed with the car at various club races and hill climbs during the later part of the season. Sadly, the crankshaft broke during an event at Castle Coombe while co-driver Derek Sluman was at the wheel. Unable to afford repairs, EAO was sold.

By 1967, EAO had made its way to Sutton Coldfield, in the West Midlands. Owner Warwick Edgington, used it occasionally, on the road, as a "fun, second car". EAO then passed through the hands of the Jacques family; First to Alan in 1968, then his wife Maureen (1971) and finally to Alan’s brother, Graham (1975). It’s past race history long forgotten, Graham employed EAO as daily transport until the winter of 1975. A damaged bonnet resulted in the car sitting in the owners garden - exposed to the elements - for 12 years, before being moved indoors.

EAO was eventually discovered by the current owner Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, being stored in a semi-derelict warehouse, when Graham Jacques offered the car for sale during 1990. A meticulous 19 year rebuild followed, during which EAO was returned to its exact 1961 specification using genuine new-old-stock BMC parts, combined with the restoration of the original bodywork, all significant mechanical items and the recreation of any unique missing components. This is a once in a life time opportunity to acquire a unique part of British motor racing history.

Sales information : http://www.coys.co.uk/auction.php?carID=37&auctionID=8