Sebring Sprite

The Austin-Healey Sprite became the platform for a range of competition sportscars frequently referred to as Sebring Sprites that featured highly modified engineering. Disc brakes were one of the most typical upgrades along with modified engines tuned for performance and reliability. Some Sebring Sprites were fitted with alloy coachwork, while others had fiberglass bodywork. Several Sebring Sprites had standard bodies with uprated brakes, engines and suspensions. John Sprinzel was a private racer who commissioned Williams & Pritchard to fabricate distinctive alloy bodies. The Sprinzel Sprites were so successful that they became the iconic archetypes of the Sebring Sprite lineage.

Sebring 1959 Class domination

On their first outing in 1959 at Sebring, the BMC Competition Division entered three Austin Healy Sprites in the 12 Hours Grand Prix D'Endurance. The Sprites were prepared by Donald Healey's son, Geoff Healey. The cars were fitted with disc brakes on all four wheels as well as Dunlop tires and wheels. Bigger SU carburetors gave the engine more performance. Driven by: Hugh Sutherland, Phil Stiles, Ed Leavens, Dr. Harold Kunz, Fred Hayes, John Christy and John Colgate, the Sprites finished first, second and third in their class. At the time, Sebring was one of the premier sportscar races in the world, and the team's success led to the introduction of the term, "Sebring Sprite."

Sebring 1960

In 1960, a special four hour race was organized, and Stirling Moss drove a Sebring Sprite to a class win and an impressive second overall. In the twelve hour race, John Sprinzel drove a special-bodied Sebring Sprite to another impressive class win finishing 41st overall.

Sprinzel's Sebring Sprites debut at the London Racing Car Show

After the delivery of his first Wiliams & Pritchard alloy-bodied coupe, John Sprinzel debuted the striking shape at the London Racing Car Show in January, 1961. Before developing the Sebring Sprite coupes with Williams & Pritchard, John Sprinzel had been involved in the prominent tuning firm, Speedwell. After developing a sleek, streamlined coupe with fiberglass top and front bonnet at Speedwell, Sprinzel sold his shares in the firm to future world champion, Graham Hill. Sprinzel's collaboration with Williams & Pritchard created an immediate sensation, and he accepted orders for six cars.

Sprinzel's creations did not all compete at Sebring, but they did distinguish themselves in competition.

Sprinzel's personal Sebring Sprite bore the registration number PMO 200, and he campaigned the car in international rallies as well as races. PMO achieved a distinguished competition history with an outright win in the Targa Rusticana in 1962.

Sebring 1961

Four Sprites contested Sebring in 1961. Driven by: Ed Leavens, Briggs Cunningham, Dick Thompson, Bruce McLaren and Walt Hansgen. The Sebring Sprites were piloted by some of the top-rated drivers in sportscar competition with Stirling Moss driving a car owned by John Sprinzel. Moss's sister, Pat Moss, drove another Sprinzel car. The Sebring Sprites finished in six of the top eight places in the 4 Hour race at Sebring. In the 12 hour race, Sebring Sprites were driven by Ed Leavens, John Colgate, Joe Buzetta and Glenn Carlson to strong performances finishing 2nd and 3rd in class and 15th and 25th overall.

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.

Replica Sebring Sprites

Because, there were so few original cars, Austin-Healey enthusiasts built very high quality replicas based on the Williams & Pritchard design commissioned by John Sprinzel. The late Brian Thomas Archer became the 'guru' of the breed. Over a period of twenty years, Brian Archer produced over two dozen replicas. Driven by Martin Ingall and other drivers, many of Archer's Sebring Sprites have compiled distinguished records in competition. Archer's business partner, Andrew Forster, is carrying on the tradition with the support of a small but devoted group of Sebring enthusiasts.

References

[http://www.sebringsprite.com/ John Sprinzel's Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite Coupé]

[http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=From-the-Archives Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird's Historic Sebring Sprite Photo Archive]

[http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=sprinzelsebringsprite Meticulous re-build of original Sebring Sprite]