1964 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite

The Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite was a modified version of the production Sprite and was recognized by the governing body of motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, as a separate model. They were homologated for competition on September 17th of 1960.

The Sebring Sprite were built by the Healey's Speed Equipment Division in Grosvenor Street, London and subsequently by John Sprinzel Ltd from Lancaster Mews. Sprinzel was a well-known International racing driver and the 1959 British Rally Champion. He produced his own Williams & Pritchard-bodied Sebring Sprite coupés in 1961 and 1962 with approximately 10 examples believed constructed. Other Sprites were given alloy bodywork from Alec Goldie and Fred Faulkner of the firm Robert Peel Sheet Metal Works.

The Sebring Sprite models were given chassis and engine modifications, Girling disc brakes, and coupe bodywork in aluminum alloy and glassfibre.

The BMC Competition Department entered three Austin-Healey Sprites in the 12 Hours Grand Prix d'Endurance in March of 1959. Geoffrey Healey prepared the cars, fitting them with Dunlop disc brakes, wire wheels, larger SU carburetors and special twin-plate racing clutches. The drivers included Phil Stiles, Ed Leavens, Hugh Sutherland, Dr. Harold Kunz, John Christy, John Colgate Jr., and Fred Hayes.

During the Sebring Sprite's inaugural debut, they placed first, second and third in their class.

The Sebrign Sprites returned to Sebring in 1960 and raced in a four-hour race for GT cars of under one litre. This shorter race had been organized due to the speed difference between the smallest and largest-engined cars. For safety, the smaller cars were given their own race. Stirling Moss drove a Sebring Sprite to a class victory and second overall in the four-hour event. A prototype Sprite wearing a GRP Falcon kit-car body was driven by John Sprinzel in the twelve-hour race where he finished 41st overall and 1st in class.

For the 1961 Sebring race, atleast 7 Sebring Sprites and two of John Sprinzel's coupes contested the long-distance race. Drivers included Briggs Cunningham, Dick Thompson, Bruce McLaren, Ed Leavens and Walt Hansgen. Driver's of the Sprinzel cars were Pat Moss and Stirling Moss.

The Sebring Sprites claimed six of the top eight places in the 4 hour race for one-litre homologated GT cars. During the 12 Hour event, the Sebring Sprites placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the 1150cc sports (prototype) class and 15th, 25th, and 37th overall.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020