1963 Austin-Healey Sprite Coupé by WSM

• The only surviving WSM glassfibre body
• 100kg lighter than a typical racing Sprite
• Raced with success in the ever popular Equipe GTS series
• Recently invited to the Goodwood Members' Meeting
• Eligible for numerous Historic events and race series

"The pursuit of betterment in function and form." – Douglas Wilson-Spratt.
In 1962 Douglas Wilson-Spratt and Jim McManus produced the first of their special-bodied Sprites known as WSMs. Immediate interest led to the production of nine cars for owners in the UK, Europe and the USA, with aluminium bodies constructed by Peel Coachworks and three ultra-lightweight bodies built in glassfibre. The WSMs achieved many wins in race and hill climb events. In 1964 two cars were entered in the German Grand Prix support race at Nürburgring, achieving a 3rd in Class, while a year later another 3rd in Class was achieved in the Rennen 500km at Nürburgring.

'WSM 208' is the only surviving glassfibre body, initially prepared in 1963 to be Douglas Willson-Spratt's new race car, but due to customer demand there was never time to complete it. 'WSM 208' would remain with Douglas, unfinished, until the late 1990s when Douglas and his son Tony decided to restore the car to modern Historic racing specification, the work being completed by Colmworth Classic Cars. Painted in Chiron Blue as per the first (and no longer surviving) WSM, '208' was finally finished in 2009. With Douglas's son Tony at the wheel, '208' has enjoyed a distinguished career and achieved many class wins including at Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Zandvoort and Le Mans. 'WSM 208' remained in the Wilson-Spratt family's possession until its purchase by the current owner.

Finished to a high specification, 'WSM 208' notably features a limited-slip differential and a straight-cut close-ratio gearbox mated to a 1,293cc A-Series engine, which benefits from a rebuild by Austin-Healey experts Woolmer Classic Engineering Ltd, who have maintained the racer for the current owner (bills on file). Importantly, the engine is a correct Sprite/Midget unit featuring a billet crankshaft and con-rods together with a correct cylinder head to race specification. Furthermore, the engine has been checked and sealed for eligibility.

Weighing over 100kg less than a typical racing Sprite, the WSM cars have proved to be very competitive in both pre-'63 and pre-'66 sports car racing. Recently invited to the Goodwood Members' Meeting, 'WSM 208' is eligible for numerous Historic events and has most recently been racing with success in the ever popular Equipe GTS series. Possibly the most fun you can have in an Historic race car, as you guide them from apex to apex, these Sprites give the driver a sense of satisfaction that few cars can match, especially when driven around the outside of more powerful machinery. This one is sure to leave you with a smile as big as the car's!