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The History - Part 2

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The Quest Begins . .

In 1992, Anthony was in touch with Rod Brisby in Scotland who owned WSM 202 and intended full restoration. The standard Sprite was first registered to Alexander Engineering in 1961 and bought by Mike Lewis in 1962. When the WSM designs were revealed, Mike asked Douglas to apply the treatment to his own car, after which Mike raced and hill climbed the car successfully through 1963. The car then passed to Robin Pinkerton and Robbie Gordon before surfacing again when an appeal for information concerning the car in 'Practical & Classic', edited by Rod's brother Michael Brisby, was answered by Anthony. WSM 301 also needed a new front, and Rod sent his bonnet over on a fishing boat to the Isle of Man so that a new mould could be taken. As a deep sea diver, Rods circumstances changed often and he realised in November 2000 that he could not dedicate the time to the WSM and as had been previously agreed, offered the car to Anthony. It was clear that as Mike Lewis had run so successfully in 1963 with WSM 202, he should be afforded the chance to re-acquire the car, but he turned down the opportunity. Rod then came into contact with Paul Woolmer in December through his connection with brother Michael. By June 2001 Paul had completed a sympathetic restoration which proved to be a highlight of subsequent events, and included an invitation to the Goodwood Revival in 2003. Peter Jackson, who owned and raced WSM's and was the Delta Garages manager in the early 1960's, said while viewing the car in 2001 that he last saw in 1963 . . "Paint technology etc has moved on and what you see here is probably better than the finished article in 1963 . . " and proof is in the pictures of the number 88 car at Thruxton in 2002. In 2004 the car changed hands and Jim Lowry, organiser of the 'Equipe' GTS race series, campaigned WSM 202 in historic events, pictured right at Donington, and Brands Hatch and Zandvoort in 2005, and in the 2006 Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy. In March 2007, WSM 202 passed to MGB racer John Pearson (left) who had admired the design for some time, and raced the car on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit in 2007. In 2008 Brian Arculus (right) acquired what is arguably the best presented car amongst the six known WSM Spridgets in use today. Brian regularly has WSM 202 out with the 'Equipe' GTS grids and joined three other WSM's at the Goodwood Revival in September 2010 where he posted 9th place overall and first WSM across the line in the Fordwater Trophy race.

The Quarry (1) - A Survivor . .

The WSM MG1100 was intended to equip four adults with 30mpg economy and 100mph performance. Retaining the MG interior and completed in 1965 by Peels Coachworks, the advent of the 70mph speed limit discouraged Douglas from making further examples. The car proved a capable family runabout and tow car for other WSM's, and even competed at Silverstone and Woburn in Mike Lewis's hands in 1966. It was not a favourite with all the family however, as the hydrolastic suspension turned some back seat passengers green. Pictured left with Alec and Fred at Peel Coachworks in 1965 with WSM 301 on the trailer, nothing further was heard of the car, although reportedly seen on a scrapheap in the 1980's - until 2001 when Trevor Jones, who drove the WSM MGB while in Lenham hands in the 1970's, confirmed the WSM MG1100 was in original condition at a Devon address. Subsequent efforts to trace the car came to nil and the last reported movement of the car was on the back of an unidentified recovery-type vehicle . .

The Quarry (2) and Recovery . .

The WSM MGB was originally Peter Pollard's 1963 roadster registered 113 DJB which was raced in marque sportscar events. Subsequent owner Robbie Gordon had Newtune of Cambridge prepare the car with a Don Moore cylinder head, and Peter Jackson, Roddy Harvey-Bailey and David Wainsborough raced it extensively until David rolled at the 1965 Mallory Boxing Day meeting. Robbie completed a deal with Mike Lewis for the car, and Mike handed it over to Douglas for a WSM design. The resultant aluminium hatchback went on to many class and race awards in Mike's hands, and 'Safety Fast' magazine described a 1967 race at Silverstone as ". . the MGB race of the year . ." when an epic battle with Bill Nicholson's MGB saw the class lap record lowered twice and the WSM returned to the pits with back brakes virtually on fire. Reckoned to have 15bhp less, the lightweight and aerodynamic WSM design made up for the lack of grunt, and Bill admitted that with equal horsepower the car would be unbeatable. Used as family transport at the time, it was in most cases driven to and from the circuits with spares and tyres filling the hatchback. On one occasion at the end of a Silverstone meeting, the unsilenced WSM was making its way out of the circuit when John Gott, a well-known racer and Northamptonshire Chief Constable, advised against using the car for the trip home. A weary Lewis, who had taken the silencer off on arrival at the circuit, went back to the paddock and laid low for ten minutes until the coast was clear for the trip back to Oxfordshire with the a boot full of tyres and spares on top of the 'missing' silencer.

The car was sold to Ben Grubb in 1968, and forthcoming marriage persuaded him to part-exchange it back to Delta Garage in 1969 for a BMW2002Ti. Delta Sales manager Robin Pinkerton then used the WSM mainly as a road car, and averaged nearly 40mpg on a holiday to Spain. In 1972, Peter Filby ran the car briefly, then Chris Jenkins in 1973. By 1975 Barry Sidery-Smith had put his Le Mans engine in for the Brighton Speed Trials with wife Pam, and shared the car with friend Denis Whistlecroft, who had an unfortunate scrap with the Silverstone armco in November 1976. The Lenham Motor Company advertised the car for sale, and subsequent owner Tony Bianchi changed the colour from white to red and the registration to 270 RBM. He used the car in sprints and races before selling to Josie Tolhurst, who raced the car at Brands in 1981, and next owner Amanda Langton raced under the HSCC banner from 1983 until 1985, when the Langton family completed a deal with the Autotron museum in Holland to display the car. When it returned to the UK in 1996, Anthony went to the South of England to see the car " just for old times sake . ." and came away with his second WSM. The subsequent strip down and restoration took away forty plus pounds of filler, and the decision was taken to retain the colour as the car had been red for almost 20 years, although this time in the darker 'Tartan' shade as on 202. The car has since appeared at WSM gatherings at Rockingham and Wyboston, and raced with the 'Equipe' GTS series at Snetterton, Montlhery, Silverstone, Oulton Park, Donington, Dijon and Brands Hatch. Road registered, it is occasionally driven to and from events as in the 1960's, and featured at the Goodwood Revival in 2003 when invited with four WSM's to race in the Fordwater Trophy race. At Mallory on October 2nd 2005, the WSM MGB was alongside the MGB of Tony and Pia Bianchi in the Top Hat series season finale, and in 2006 a second Revival entry saw the car with five other WSM's on the grid in a fitting tribute to the spectating designer. The car made a second appearance at the MGCC Silverstone meeting in June 2007 in company with WSM 301, and was at the Silverstone MGLive event in June 2010 alongside WSM's 202 and 210. The annual BDC meeting at Silverstone in July 2010 was used as a practice run for a third Goodwood Revival appearance in September 2010, and a test day at Goodwood a week before the Revival revealed the change to Dunlop 'L' section tyres suited the car's performance. Minor mechanical failure on the outlap prior to the Fordwater Trophy race marred the week-end, but the car remains in family ownership - just.

The Quarry (3) Rescued . .

When racer Malcolm Bridgeland bent his 1961 Austin Healey 3000 against the Silverstone pitwall in 1965, he brought the wreck to Delta Garage. Malcolm knew Jim McManus through previous Healey purchases and was aware of the attractive WSM Sprite bodies. Malcolm commissioned a new aluminium WSM body which Douglas designed, and Peels of Kingston were again appointed to fashion the alloy. The result was stunning to view, and according to Malcolm, equally rewarding to drive. The 50/50 front to rear weight distribution, and the taller profiled tyres in use because of the wheel arch dimensions, contributed to a beautifully balanced car and a very fast one - the aerodynamic advantage over the standard Healey 3000 meant top whack was increased to140mph, and Malcolm observed that 'slight nose lift' occurred. Malcolm sold it in December 1966 to Michael Levy and in July 1967 Peter Welsh acquired the car. Peter was a staunch Healey man, a keen follower of stage rallying and it was'nt long before the WSM was in competition use. Peter was married to Nina, an airline stewardess on long haul with BA, and Nina recalls Peter's absolute love affair with the car. Peter contacted Douglas in the Isle of Man in the late 1970's for information regarding the WSM, but unfortunately Peter's circumstances changed, and he separated from Nina and moved to Alvington in Gloucestershire in 1984. The WSM became a less used and less treasured item, and although in a modicum of shelter beside the house, the car lay dormant for many years as Peter's health began a gradual decline.

Jaguar restorer John Maye visited the Isle of Man for the Manx Classic in September 1998 and met Anthony during the Promenade Sprint event. John mentioned that he knew where the WSM 3000 was, and a few weeks later Anthony and John spent a Sunday scouring West Gloucestershire. The problem was that John had seen the car some three or four years previously after a friend who was surveying Peter's property asked John to take a look at an unfamiliar sports car. John recognised the WSM, but thought no more about it as Peter was not forthcoming with any details, and the secluded location deep in West Gloucestershire was forgotten. There followed a hugely frustrating five years while Anthony used every method to trace the car, but only when David Moore of the Historic Rally Car Register got in touch with a contact number for Steve Suckling was the search to bear fruit in 2003, and in September Douglas was re-united with the WSM for the first time in 37 years.

Peter was delighted to meet the designer and it was evident his enthusiasm for the car was undimmed. A day was spent poring over the WSM and before parting, the two men shook on agreement for the car to change hands and be restored by Douglas. Although Anthony visited Peter regularly and kept in touch by telephone, it was evident that Peter's health was deteriorating. Whenever the subject of moving the car was raised, he would insist that anytime soon he would "fettle her a bit" before that could happen. Peter's reclusive nature and failing health lead to a stroke and fall in the garden overnight in 2006, and although surviving that ordeal, his visits to hospitals and homes became more regular, if thoroughly unwelcomed and unappreciated by Peter even though his own accomodation circumstances had become dire. Through 2007 and 2008 his physical and mental health was diminishing, and in 2009 the WSM disappeared from his property - unbeknown to Peter who was by then a permanent resident in a Monmouth care home. It transpired that an acquaintance of Peter's had removed the car and stashed it in a lock-up in Lydney. Peter passed away in May 2010 and in January 2011 Brightwells advertised the car for auction on March 2nd. As expected, there was a large amount of interest, and fortunately the new owner assures us the car will be staying in the UK and restored to its former glory . .

The Quarry (4) and Restoration . .

This car started life in 1959 as a standard 3.8 XK 150 FHC coupe (chassis No. S. 825043 DN) owned by B.G.W Haynes who lived in Northwich, Cheshire. The original engine (VA 1219-8) was later swapped (LB 2049 according the logbook). The Production Record Trace Certificate of the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust shows the original colour was cream with a red interior. Douglas Hull bought the car on 14th June 1964 to fulfill his needs for a fast and practical car capable of carrying the everyday paraphanalia his motor trade business required, and to act as tow car for his vintage ERA racer. Douglas so enjoyed the Jaguar that in 1967 he asked his friend and fellow aviator at Finmere aerodrome, Douglas W-S, to pen an estate design that Peels Coachworks could fashion. DW-S also modified the engine into a full blown 3.8 S-type race unit with straight porthead and original S carburettors. The end product more than earned its keep, and on a trip to the Isle of Man in 1969 towing Patrick Lindsay's ERA for the Tholt Y Will hill climb event, managed a faster time in the wet event than the racing car it had trailered to the Island. Peter Hull, younger brother to Douglas, also raced the car in VSCC events at Silverstone, but after Douglas Hull's death in 1977, subsequent owners Bernard Harding, Rodney Tolhurst (who later owned the WSM MGB with wife Josie), and Graham Radcliffe used it infrequently. Anthony went to London to see the car, but could not persuade Graham to sell at that time. Martin Staverman of M Restorations rescued the car in 1996 and sold it to Peter Janssen in 1997, who with friend Jacco Mol finished an extensive restoration in 2003. The car was then sold to Dealer Aaldering in Brummen (Netherlands), and sold again the same year to a Chinese lady - Judy A. Reyes - who lived in Singapore and worked in Hong Kong. The car was stationed in Germany and Judy took part in some European meetings. Eugen W Schmid bought the car in 2005, pictured below, and restored the tow bracket to its rightful place. The car is in regular use around his home near Zurich, Switzerland and at many historic gatherings.

A detailed history from shooting-brake.com.

The Quarry (5) and Recovery . .

In 1998, information that a WSM in Connecticut, USA was being raced in Sports Car Club of America events prompted further investigation, and Anthony was put in touch with Walter Donaghy and Kent Bain who owned and raced WSM 207 which had been exported to New York in May 1963. When a re-union was suggested to celebrate the designers 80th birthday in 2001, Walter immediately voiced their approval and intent for the car to join 46 BXN, WSM MGB, WSM 301 and WSM 202 in England for the event. That the car did not leave dockside New York is a long story but was perhaps a factor in Walter later offering the car for sale. Anthony knew that Rae Davis of Motobuild in London was interested in a WSM through his preparation of Leo Kusters' WSM 210 in 1995, so helped broker a deal that saw 677 EGJ driven off a container in the UK in May 2003. A week later, Rae raced the car at Donington and in September 2003 the car was on the Fordwater grid in Ian Guest's hands at the Goodwood Revival event with three other WSM entries. Rae is quoted as saying that he likes the WSM so much that it will stay with him for good - quite an admission from a man with as much experience as Rae in racing and trading sports cars. Picture left middle shows DW-S with Rae Davis (left) and James Crook (right) in June 2003 with WSM 207 in London, and bottom left, Top Hat regular Ivor Miller ready for his first race in a WSM at the 2006 Goodwood Revival. A third invitation to join the Fordwater grid at Goodwood was confirmed for September 2010 with Ivor at the wheel, but the car posted a DNF after a startline accident. In April 2011, Rae piloted the car into pole position for the inaugural HRDC 'Grand Touring Greats' race at Brands Hatch . .

WSM 203 . .

This WSM was exported to San Francisco in 1963 for Dr Clinton Chichester. It was from this car that the fibreglass bodies were moulded for WSM's 205, 206 and 208, although in vastly different circumstances (see 'WSM 208' below). Mike White owned and raced WSM 205 in England in 1964, while Douglas used WSM 206 in England and Europe in 1964 and 1965. WSM 203 came to our attention again in 1997 when a request for information regarding the car was printed in Classic & Sportscar on behalf of Hayes Harris in the USA, to whom the late Dr Chichester's son had entrusted the sale. The car was then sold to Takayuki Hata and Ecosse Cars of Tokyo who restored the car before selling to Masakazu Yahagi, also of Tokyo. He races the WSM in historic events and hopes to visit the UK with the car.

WSM 208 . .

WSM 208 was not to be completed until 2009 - a 44 year pause in production following the ninth Spridget (WSM 301) in 1965. The fibreglass body was stored in 1963 and moved with the family from Leighton Buzzard to Hockliffe in 1970 where it was kept in the eaves of a double garage. When the family moved to the Isle of Man in 1976, the body was left with the new house owners on the understanding that at some time in the future it would be collected. It was not until 1982 that a trip was organised, and on returning to the Isle of Man it was again stashed away until the chassis was ready on which to base the body. In 2005, with the able assistance of local yachtsman Peter Hinds, the body was attached to a chassis sourced by Michael Lewis, Douglas's son-in-law, and the car moved from Peel to Glen Vine where running gear was fitted. Dale & Colvin of Union Mills were contracted to paint the car 'Chiron' blue, the match to the original colour facilitated by a cut-off rear wing section of WSM 201 remaining from accident damage at Brands Hatch in 1963 (201 was taken to Leighton Buzzard on Saturday after practice - the damaged section was cut out and a new section grafted in by Ray Halsall on the Delta Garage premises, and returned on Sunday morning to race). Although initially designated for ownership in the USA, when the planned Healey museum in Virginia failed to materialise, WSM 208 was shipped to England in 2008 for final detailing by Colmworth Classic Cars. Douglas approved highly of the work carried out by Paul Webb at CCC, and watched the car make its race debut at Croft on May 16th 2009 alongside WSM 210 in the 'Equipe' GTS series. Further races at Brands Hatch, the bi-annual Le Mans Story event, BDC Silverstone and Zandvoort kept the car busy in 2009 until brought back to the Isle of Man in December for hibernation in hangerage at Ronaldsway airport. A promising start to the 2010 season when the car qualified 11th amongst the 'Equipe' GTS grid at Brands Hatch in April was compromised by contact at the start of race one, but race two saw a dominant class win and another at Cadwell Park in September. The inaugural HRDC grid at Brands on April 9th 2011 saw the car qualify 5th amongst a host of similarly powered 'A' series-engined cars, and in July the car was invited to the Cholmondely 'Pageant of Power'. .

A Birthday Surprise . .

The revival of interest in WSM's continued and at Rockingham in 2001, an 80th birthday surprise for Douglas saw the Sebring Sprite 46 BXN, WSM MGB, WSM's 202 and 301 compete in the MGCC event and establish a record number of cars on the same grid - a record which was not to last very long. The restoration of WSM 202 by Paul Woolmer was almost finished, and Jack Wheeler and Mark Parrott are pictured fashioning the aluminium duct in the Rockingham pit garage shortly before the first race. There were thirty five guests who were connected with WSM at Delta Garage or owned WSM's in the 1960's, some of whom Douglas had not seen for thirty years or more. The guests included - Malcolm Bridgeland, Roy Fuertado, Owen Gough, Ben Grubb, Ivor Gurney, Mick Hancock, Geoff Hill, Peter Jackson , Josie Jefferson, Jim and Peggy McManus, Robin and Mardi Pinkerton , Barry Sidery-Smith and Eddie Wright. A suite in the brand new Rockingham grandstand facility was the venue for lunch and interviews, and the event was captured with a video production, 'Designs On 80', which recorded the people and cars throughout the week-end. Isle of Man resident and reknowned commentator Neville Hay kindly contributed his time and expertise to the video . . .

WSM Gatherings . .

In 1996, the Healey International week-end featured a display at the Cirencester venue that included BXN and WSM 301.

The Healey 50th celebrations in 2002 at Thruxton saw WSM's 202 and 301 displayed in the marquee for special cars, and both contested the Healey 50th celebration race. As at Rockingham the year before, Douglas had the opportunity to meet friends and colleagues from yesteryear, and Healey exponents Paddy Hopkirk, Peter Riley, Clive Baker, Willie Cave, Jim McManus and Marcus Chambers were invited guests. The publication of Bill Emerson's fabulous and comprehensive 'Healey' book was well received and featured several pages on WSM's. Alongside cars brought from all over the world for the event, Anthony and Paul Woolmer raced 301 and 202, and shared 301 in the last race of the day, a two-driver enduro flagged away in a torrential downpour.

The 2004 Healey International at Wyboston saw four WSM's and BXN in the Historic Cars feature, and Douglas met up with Clive Baker, Colin Stokes, Jim McManus, Peter Jackson, Ray Halsall, Robin Pinkerton and Brian Archer amongst others -

Spritely 50 - a magnificent gathering of cars and people at the Goodwood circuit on May 17th 2008 was superbly organised by the Austin Healey Club. The little Sprite's landmark year was celebrated in quite stunning fashion, and brought together many of the people that designed, built, owned, raced and enjoyed the talented Healey. Of the many variations on the successful theme, WSM were well represented with four cars . .

MG50 - WSM Cars displayed Sanction 2 builds at the June 12th 2011 Burghley event, while WSM 210 was on show with the Historic cars

MGLive at Silverstone - included a tribute to DW-S with WSM's 202, 208, 210, 401 and 'BXN'

Another Recovery . .

WSM 210 was built in 1963 and exported to Florida in September 1964 for Dr Clinton Chichester. In 1968 college student Scott Yturria (left) bought the car from Dave Collier, the local Jaguar dealer, then in 1972 traded the WSM against a Lotus Elan SE. The car returned to Europe in the 1980's and Leo Kusters from Holland acquired WSM 210 in 1993 - his involvement in historic racing lead him to bring the car to the Motobuild team in London who restored her in readiness for entry in the Coys Historic Festival at Silverstone in 1995, and hence the telephone call from Tom Coulthard to the Isle of Man. In summer 2003, Leo contacted Anthony to say that his car was for sale. As Leo's young son was heavily involved in karting, Leo himself had some American horsepower to play with that was taking all of his time and he could not justify the WSM inactive in the garage. Interest from a Dutch museum prompted Anthony and Paul Woolmer to bring the car back to England in November 2003 to be garaged alongside WSM's 202 and 301 at Paul's Bedfordshire address. A friend of Paul's, Clive Cocks, had given much of his time in helping prepare WSM 202 and when he viewed 210 in December 2003, it soon joined Clive's garage of Healeys and was prepared ahead of his introduction to historic racing at Mallory in October 2004. Subsequent appearances at Snetterton, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Castle Combe, Knockhill and Le Mans in company with other WSM's created great interest, and a 2006 Goodwood Revival invitation (left) to join three Spridget-based WSM's rewarded Clive's evident enthusiasm for the marque. An entry for the Lands End - John O'Groats 'Le Jog' marathon of 5 days and 2,400 mile duration in 2006 resulted in 2nd in class on his first such event, and another Goodwood Revival appearance netted 17th place in the 2010 Fordwater Trophy race (right) and second WSM home. The HRDC 'Grand Touring Greats' race at Brands Hatch in 2011 saw WSM 210 finish 9th on the 26 car grid . .

A 2003 Revival . .

In 2003, four WSM's and BXN were invited to the Goodwood Revival meeting where WSM's 202, 207, 301 and the WSM MGB were entered in the Fordwater Trophy race alongside some truly exotic cars in front of 90,000 spectators. Acquainting themselves with the Goodwood layout in Friday's free practice, Paul Woolmer drove his immaculate 202, the Rae Davis 207 was driven by Ian Guest, stepping up from E -Types for his first WSM drive while Rae drove his very quick Mini Marcos, and Anthony pedalled the WSM MGB to enable David Gathercole his first WSM drive in 301. David fitted his own engine after 301 had been delivered to Whittlesey in August 2003, and the Saturday morning timed practice revealed David to be a real contender at the business end of the grid, while Ian, Paul and Anthony were comfortably midfield in amongst an eclectic mix of machinery, including Ron Gammons in BXN for owner Mick Darcey. The fabulous Goodwood Ball on Saturday night set remarkably high standards in terms of presentation and spectacle, and it was with mixed feelings that Sunday arrived as the day of the race but the end of the dinner occasion.

Willie Green and Irvine Laidlaw set the pace in Alfa TZ and Porsche, but WSM interest centred on a remarkable drive by David Gathercole as the unfortunate Paul Woolmer fell by the wayside in 202 with water pump gasket failure. David had much experience in FISC events, a Sprite based series centred in Holland and run by the effervescent Pieter Bakker, so was not unused to his surroundings. A blistering start put him up to fourth place after a battle with old adversary Rae Davis in the Mini Marcos. Gathercole's WSM had a gap to make up on third but the issue never arose as the WSM arrived in the pits with a misfire, quickly diagnosed as a disconnected plug lead. Although back out again, David's only consolation was to record fourth fastest lap of the race. Meanwhile Ian Guest headed the WSM contingent home in 207 after a race long dice with James Willis's Jacobs Midget. In his capacity as Team Manager for the week-end, Douglas was impressed with the WSM drivers, especially David Gathercole, and Lord March referred to the WSM's in his closing address with a tribute to their appearance in numbers . . .

click here for Goodwood report

A Photoshoot . .

In March 2004, quality monthly Octane magazine prompted a get-together of WSM's and personnel at the Wing, Bedfordshire address that was the conceptual birthplace of the car design. Four cars and members of the original Delta Garage team re-produced the 1963 scene of four WSM's for the October edition article - see 'Sixties Survivors' by Andrew Roberts at 'WSM In Print' below.

Goodwood Revival 2006 - 'Sensational' Fordwater Trophy . .

News in May 2006 that the WSM MGB, WSM 207 and Sebring BXN were on the Fordwater grid for the second time in the September classic - and in July came further invitations for 202, 210 and 301 -

Sell Out Week-End Audience of 110,000

click here for John Sprinzel interview by Neville Haye

click here for YouTube film

click here for a two-page Rev Counter 'Spritely Revival' report from Mike Wylie

Practice - The SLR Morgan Plus 4's of Keith Ahlers and Adrian Van Der Kroft predictably set the pace in dry conditions at the head of a 30 car grid, but Tommasi, Burnett and Hulett were in the hunt, and more so should a forecast wet track materialise on race day. Jim Lowry had a brush with the barriers but with 'Spadge' Hopkins and Rob Cull's help, 202 was ready for the race - go to 'Race News 2006' for a full event report.

Aviation . .

When motorsport bit the dust in 1967 caused by disc problems in his back, Douglas reverted to his first love, aviation. Gaining a pilots licence in 1967, his first aircraft, a tail wheeled Auster registered Romeo Charlie, cruised at less mph/knots than many of the cars he raced over the years. The Auster was once described as an aerial version of the Penny Farthing, except not as fast, and Douglas moved on to a French 'Rally Club' aeroplane which had excellent short field capability, and completed trips with Laurette to France, Ireland and to Malta in the Mediterranean where they had a home until the 1980's. In league with old friends such as Ken Gomm, Lionel Mayall and Barry Greenwood, Douglas had many opportunities to try his hand at various aircraft and racked up over 30 types, with the log book exceeding 3000 hours. His next aircraft was a Bolkow Junior registered Zulu Delta, a two seater design that fitted like a hand in a glove and was the aerial equivalent of the Austin Healey Sprite. He then found the appeal of the French Jodel aircraft irresistible and with a Jodel Ambassadeur he began an association that lead to annual visits to the Jodel gathering in Bernay, France. A Rollason Condor was the next 'love' but the purchase of a Jodel Mascaret D150 for restoration cemented a passion for the gull-winged design. The loss of wife Laurette in 1995 was a devastating time, and he concentrated on several long term projects to cushion the blow. He maintained an active role in the twenty plus year restoration of a Percival Q6, a very rare aircraft previously owned by Ken Gomm, latterly by Barry Greenwood, and hoped to see the restoration completed in England. In 2002 he achieved a long held ambition to cross the Atlantic in a single engined monoplane - with German ferry pilot Margit Waltz, they flew from Scranton airfield in Pennsylvania to Newcastle, England in what has to be the ultimate plan to avoid airline food. Douglas maintained his UK PPL (Private Pilots Licence) and during a checkout in Florida, was amused to find he was accompanied by an instructor only one year his junior.

Douglas continued to accompany his son during the motor racing season, and supported WSM's in competition throught the UK and Europe. He revisited many old racing haunts, and was at the Montlhery-Linas circuit in France to supervise the WSM MGB at the Grand Prix De L'Age D'Or in June 2004. He saw grids at Snetterton, Croft, Pembrey, Cadwell, Oulton, Goodwood, Donington, Mallory, Silverstone, Croft and Brands Hatch, some with multiple WSM entries. Despite a brief spell of ill health, Douglas was a guest at the Sprite 50th celebrations at Goodwood on May 17th 2008, where several WSM's were on display in the Historic Car marquee. He visited the Goodwood Revival again in 2008, but this time in aeronautical mode for the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation event on September 17th - flying in a De Havilland Rapide for the first time in 60 years, and meeting ex-WSM owners at the champagne reception were definite highlights. It was remarkable to think that both the old masters pictured left have flown the Atlantic two up - the Vickers Vimy managed it with Alcock and Brown in 1919, while Douglas had a blonde for company in 2002. In his 90th year, he travelled to England and France in his Smart car, only returning to supervise the WSM's on the Fordwater Trophy grid at the Goodwood Revival on September 19th 2010.

WSM Sanction 2 . .

Following completion of WSM 208 in 2009, Douglas's thoughts turned to production of 'second generation' WSM Sprite's. Such interest was apparent from visitors to the Colmworth Classic Cars stand at the Race Retro show at Stoneleigh in March 2009, that a limited production run of the fibreglass bodies was planned. Select 'WSM S2' from the menu near the top of this page to access further information . .

As an 89 year old great-grandfather, Douglas had yet more developments to add to an already interesting career with wheels and wings, and signing off his designs 47 years after the first example was a testament to the appeal of his work.

The Cars . .

Click on the cars in chronological order for a brief history of each -

WSM in print . .

DW-S Rev Counter / MG Enthusiast / Motorsport / Autosport / Classic & Sportscar / Mascot / Safety Fast June 2011

Sprite At Le Mans - Rev Counter January 2010

Historic Racing News - Motorsport August 2009

'Sprite 50th' - MG Enthusiasts magazine Summer 2008 article by Steve Havelock

WSM's 2006 MG Revival - Safety Fast February 2007

Rev Counter - June 2006 Austin Healey Club monthly - Clive Cocks at Manx Classic

'Big Healeys In Competition' - John Baggott 2006 - see WSM News for availability

'Unique WSM Uncovered' - Michael Ware Classic & Sportscar June 2006

'The WSM Story' - Healey Marque magazine June 2004 USA edition

'Back In The Fold' - MG Enthusiasts magazine October 2004 edition - John Baggott on WSM MGB

'Sixties Survivors' by Andrew Roberts - Octane magazine October 2004 edition

Forty Years On . . March 30th 2004 Leighton Buzzard Observer

Jaguar Heritage - 2004 magazine

'MGB The Racing Story' - book by John Baggott 2002

The Healey Book - Bill Emerson 2002, a complete history of the Healey marque

Austin Healey - USA monthly magazine, John Sprinzel contributor

'High Speed . .' - Manx Life magazine 2001 Rockingham Re-Union

'Life In The Fast Lane' - Manx Tails magazine 2001 Rockingham Re-Union

The Complete Encyclopedia of Sports Cars - book by Rob de la Rive Box 2001

'Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites' book by John Baggott 1998

'Wuzzum Wizard' by Jon Pressnell - Classic & Sportscar magazine February 1997

'Spritely Years' - book by Tom Coulthard & John Sprinzel 1994

British Specialist Cars - book by Chris Rees 1993

'WSM' - article by F Wilson McComb in Collectors Car October 1980 edition

Specialist Sports Cars - book by Peter J Filby 1974

'Putting On The Style' - Safety Fast article January 1965

AutoNews - Northampton Independant November 1962