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WSM The People A - L
around the UK. The car was changed back to road specification and advertised through the Chequered Flag garage in Chiswick, and the colour changed to red as advertised in 'Safety Fast' in August 1971. Simon's then brother-in-law David Yates had some input into the deal, and Ernie Foster benefitted by building up a standard Sprite with some mechanicals from WSM 206. June 2004 Autosport magazine's 'Racing Lives' section featured Simon and enabled us to track down the Champion spark plug executive
involved with the F1 Grand Prix business on location. More action pix
of Simon at WSM 'In Competition'.
Bain,
Kent. Prepared and drove WSM
207 in Sports Car Club of America races for Walter Donaghy in
Connecticut, USA. Vintage
Racing 
Services
restored the car in 1987 after storeage since 1968 and from 1990 Kent
maintained and raced the car in over 30 events, including the Vintage
Fall Festival in 1991 at Lime Rock (2nd overall) and the Jefferson
500 at the Summit Point Raceway in 1998 (8th).
Barrett,
Tim. Bought
WSM 201 from Delta Garage in 1964, and the
car is pictured prior to collection from Vicarage
Lodge in Wing, and removal of the cherished DWS 97 number which remained
on all DW-S cars. Tim recalls part exchanging a TR for the WSM, before paternal
influence dictated a part exchange back with Delta three months later for an MGB. 
Bianchi,
Tony. Historic racer and aviator currently racing an Allard Fallerac
and MGB with wife Pia. He bought the WSM MGB from Barry
Sidery-Smith in 1977, changing the car's colour to red from white,
and the registration from 113 DJB to 270 RBM. Tony used the car in sprints
and races at Curborough, Silverstone, Snetterton and the Brighton
Speed Trials and is pictured with the WSM at Mallory
in 2005. The car was sold on to Rodney
Tolhurst in 1981.
Bridgeland, Malcolm and Bennie. Malcolm was a well known private entrant who owned Malaya 
Garages, in particular connected with F5000 driver Graham McRae and designer Len Terry. Malcolm raced a Healey 3000 in 1965 and knew Jim McManus with the Donald Healey Motor Company in London. After hitting the pit
wall at Silverstone, Malcolm took 9059 MY to Delta Garage for WSM treatment and instigated what is possibly the best looking of the
WSM designs. With perfect weight 
distribution, lightweight aluminium
bodywork by Peels and larger tyre size available through the WSM 
form, the car was geared for 140mph. Malcolm recalls one drawback
in that the length of the nose on the car was often misjudged by those
parking in front of the WSM, and more remedial work was carried out on
that section of the car than any other.
It was stage rallied by a subsequent owner in the 1970's until being laid
up in the UK. Pictured (left) with plenty of spare tyres, an expectant
Bennie at Woburn hill climb, and
Malcolm tops up the oil at the Delta forecourt. They travelled from their
Argyll home to attend the Rockingham Re-
Union in 2001 and continue to take a keen interest in the
resurgence of the marque.Brisby, Rod.
Coverage in Practical & Classic magazine, 
edited
by Mike Brisby in 1980, lead to contact between
Rod (Mike's brother) and AW-S. Rod owned WSM 202 in Scotland
and sent his bonnet over on a fishing boat to the Isle of Man when WSM
301 needed a mould for a new front in 1981. Although intending to restore
the WSM 202, Rod was a deep sea diver and could not dedicate the time. On deciding to sell the car, he was put in touch with Mike Lewis as it was intended for the car to return to family hands, but sadly a deal could not be agreed. Through
his contacts with brother Mike, Rod was contacted by, and subsequently sold the
car to, Paul Woolmer in 2000.
Clinch, Peter. Owned WSM 301 in 1972 after he bought the fire damaged car from Dr Hodsman. A stock car racer and NASCAR fan, Peter sourced a 
replacement bonnet, fitted a new loom and re-painted the car Electric Blue with two orange stripes. After tracing the family to the Isle of Man, Peter sold the car back to Douglas Wilson-Spratt in 1980 when local police forbade further use with a cracked windscreen on public roads. The car was collected from Peter's Nottingham address, but we lost contact until author John Baggott put us in touch again in November 2007. Only very recently retired, Peter visited the Isle of Man in the 1980's to compete in stock car races at Onchan stadium.
Cocks, Clive and Sue. Eastern Centre Healey Club chairman, Clive helped prepare WSM's for the 2001 WSM Re-
Union. He subsequently
got the WSM itch and bought WSM 210 in 2003
when the car returned from Holland. WSM 210 was displayed at Wing in March 2004 for the Octane photoshoot and at Wyboston
for the International Healey week-end in June 2004. Clive returned the car to historic racing at a Top Hat event at Mallory in October
2004 and races with 'Equipe' GTS grids. He brought the car to the Isle of Man for the Manx Classic in 
2006, pictured with WSM 301 in the Grandstand paddock, raced at the 2006 Goodwood Revival (see Race News 2006) and completed Le Jog, the 2,400 mile Lands End to John O'Groats event in December 2006 with a 2nd in class. Darcey, Mick. Owned 46 BXN, originally a white Sebring Sprite that Peter Jackson raced in 1961 and which was rebodied with WSM influence by Peels of London incorporating a Speedwell 'Monza' bonnet. Mick added BXN to his collection of Healey and MG cars, but was having difficulty finding time to race himself. He was generous however in allowing the car to be raced by friends, including Paul Woolmer who drove the yellow car to win the FISC championship in 1995, and Malcolm Beer at the Rockingham Re-Union in 2001. Paul bought the car from Mick in August 2004.
Davis,
Rae. Historic
racer and known for his 'GB Performance' business
at gbperformance.com with the preparation
of Sebring Sprite's etc. With help
from the Wilson-Spratt family, Rae bought WSM 207 from the USA sight unseen in May 2003 and
raced at Donington in a Top Hat meeting the same month. WSM 207 completed
a quartet of WSM's in the Goodwood Revival Fordwater
Trophy race in September 2003 as Ian Guest drove WSM 207 alongside Rae who finished fourth in his Mini Marcos - Rae
went even better in 2004 and won the St Marys Trophy with Tony Jardine in an 
Austin A35. In 2006 WSM
207 was on display at the Moss Europe showrooms in 
Hanworth, Middlesex, featured on the Top Hat stand at the Autosport show, and was driven by Ivor Miller at the Goodwood Revival. Pictured left Rae Davis,
Barrie Williams and DW-S
at Castle Combe 2004.
Glaesner in 1966. Placed into storeage in 1968 following a move abroad by Walter,
the car was extensively restored in 1986/87 by Vintage
Racing Services (VRS) and competed until 1990 when a change in circumstances
meant that Walter was unable to race further. Kent
Bain of VRS (left) was entrusted with the racing and care of the
car until sold and shipped to Rae Davis in
2003.
Fuertado,
Roy. A mechanic at Delta Garage in the early 1960's, Roy kept in
touch with DW-S after Delta Garage stopped
operations. Despite poor health, and that of wife Mary, he contributed to
the WSM Re-Union in 2001 and the photoshoot at Wing in March 2004. Sadly, Roy passed away in November 2006.
Gathercole, David
and Lorraine. David prepares cars and engines
for racing, and both
raced Sprite's in the FISC series. David drove an inspired race in WSM
301 at the 2003 Goodwood
Revival Fordwater Trophy event and reached fourth place before
an enforced pitstop put him to the back of the field. Marriage in 2004
has not yet slowed either of 
them (right) and in 2005 David lead the URS
Classic Formula Ford championship, while Lorraine raced a Shrike with
Sports 2000 grids.
Glaesner,
Fred. Charleston, USA resident who bought WSM
207 in 1965 from Joel Nelson and raced in SCCA events, including
Sebring and various South Eastern venues. Changed the car colour to grey
with black stripes and sold to Walter Donaghy in 1966.Gordon, Robbie
and Mary. Robbie owned 113 DJB, a quick MGB
roadster which he bought from Peter Pollard.
Prepared by Newton of Cambridge with a Don Moore cylinder head, a Special
Tuning 
manifold
and Webber 45 carburettor, the car was raced by Peter
Jackson in Marque Sports Car series and by Robbie, Roddy
Harvey-Bailey and David Wainsborough in other events. Robbie also owned the ex-Dick Protheroe E-Type registered
CUT 7, as auctioned by H & H in 2005. Pictured left is Mike
Lewis spinning a WSM Sprite as 
Robbie
carries on in 113 DJB at Silverstone. After David rolled DJB at the Boxing
Day meeting at Mallory in 1966, Mike Lewis bought it and asked Douglas to design a WSM bodyshell which was then raced
successfully by Mike. Robbie also briefly owned WSM 202, the second built
WSM originally campaigned by Mike Lewis in 1963, and Robbie sat in XPP
for the first time in 37 years at Wing in March 2004. Robbie and Mary
supported the Rockingham Re-Union in 2001, and Wing (right) and Wyboston
in 2004.
Gough,
Owen. A mechanic at Delta in 1960/61 and an SODC member, he recalls
workshop manager Stan Fountain and sales
manager Ted Spencer. Owen ran a tuned Austin
A35 and was involved in building the Sebring Sprite registered DWS 97
for the 1961 Monte Carlo which he accompanied as mechanic, and other events
including Shelsley Walsh hill climbs. Owen and wife Lynne attended the WSM Re-Union in 2001 at Rockingham, the Wing
photoshoot and the 
International
Healey week-end at Wyboston in 2004. They sold their mint and very original
Ford Capri to a museum in Scotland, and acquired a red Mark 1 Sprite in
2004, (pictured at Shuttleworth). Owen celebrated his 65th birthday
with a microlight trip to Sywell aerodrome in Northamptonshire.
Grubb,
Ben. Bought the WSM MGB in 1968 and recalls replacing the broken
nitrided crankshaft with a standard one but never having trouble with
the car thereafter. Ben married in 1969 and traded the WSM back to Mike
Lewis for a BMW 2002ti. Ben and his family attended the 2001 Re-Union
at Rockingham.
Guest,
Ian. Stepped up from E-Types to WSM's when piloting WSM 207 at
the 2003 Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy race (left), while WSM owner Rae Davis raced
his own Mini Marcos on the same grid.
Gurney, Ivor and
Sylvia. A mechanic at Delta Garage in the
early 1960's, and a great help in organising WSM Re-Union events. Married
to Sylvia and living in Leighton Buzzard, Ivor recalls many enjoyable
moments while looking after 
WSM's. In particular he remembers an occasion
when he worked one Saturday night in a lock-up in London to make engine 
repairs
on a WSM due out at Brands the next morning. He also recalls
recovering pieces of a crashed E-Type Jaguar that the Delta Garage mechanics
had only finished work on a few hours previously and was subsequently
road tested by Peter Jackson - the car came
off worst in a collision with a bus.
The picture in WSM History of two Mini's in
front of Delta Garage reminded Ivor that one customer bought a 
Cooper
S in 1965 with the new hydrolastic suspension and a standard Traveller
equipped with ordinary rubber 'doughnut' and cone suspension. The customer
wanted a Cooper S / Traveller with hydrolastic, which BL never produced.
The biggest problem was sorting the hydrolastic pipes as the wheelbase
of the Traveller was longer ( the BL Technical Centre were not helpful
with suspension pressures ) but they were fashioned at Delta and the car
mechanicals changed over with a few modifications made along the way.
The story goes that on a trip to Germany, the owner of the Traveller S
sufficiently embarrassed a Porsche driver at the traffic lights that he
beckoned to the Traveller S driver to ask what engine was under the bonnet.
Halsall,
Ray. Fabricated lightweight WSM's in 1963, and attended the Silverstone
Coys Historic in 1995 where he met DW-S again after many years.
Ray recalls distinctly how lightweight the WSM 
construction was, down
to rice paper thickness for non-structural parts. Ray was a guest at the
Wing gathering of WSM's in 2004 (right) , attended the Healey International
event at Wyboston 2004 with wife Mary, and the Goodwood Revival in 2006.
Hancock,
Mick and Mary. Mick started at Delta in 1964 as a trainee mechanic, and moved to the
spray shop with Eddie
Wright. Mick remembers working on WSM Sprite's, the WSM MG1300, the
AEC coach conversion and the breakdown truck and recalls that the environment
was an enjoyable one. He left circa 1966 to join
Luton Commercial Motors where he carried on his craft with HGV's. He moved
to the Prudential company in 1972 and currently runs his own business
from Leighton Buzzard. Mick joined us with wife Mary at the WSM
Re-Union in 2001 and at the Octane photoshoot at Wing in 2004.
Hands,
David. Owned a red WSM circa 1965-1968 while operating a garage business
in Bedfordshire. Without documents coming to light yet, although purchased
from Robin Pinkerton at Delta Garages, it may have been WSM 205. We met David again at the 2005 MGCC Silverstone
event.
Harris, Hayes. Owned WSM 203 (left) until sold to Japanese owners in 1997.
Hata,
Takayuki. Bought WSM 203 from Hayes Harris of Florida in 1997. Ecosse Cars of Tokyo completed restoration before selling
on to Masakazu Yahagi in 2003.Hill, Geoff.
Pictured with DW-S and partner Janet at Longdendale in 2004 beside their
gorgeous AC. 
Geoff
owned the lightweight WSM registered VLY 540 in the late 1960's, but had
to sell the car with the onset of a growing family. The
car was probably WSM 205, originally
registered MW 3 for Mike White. We met up
with Geoff at Oulton Park in 1998, and he and Janet were guests at the
2001 WSM Re-Union and kindly gave the WSM trailer a parking space during
the summer at their home in Cheshire.
Hodsman, Dr Anthony. Bought WSM 301 from medical school friend Dr Churton Pauli in 1971. When wife Sue was driving home from work, an engine fire wrecked the bonnet and cracked the windscreen. The car was sold to Peter Clinch in 1972. Click on for an interesting career in medicine.
Anthony remembers - "Churton (Pauli) had a standard Frogeye Sprite, and when his brother-in-law Mike wanted to change cars, he jumped at the opportunity to buy the WSM. Churton then went on to work as a doctor in Malawi, and then in northern Saskatchewan - so he sold me the car. Neither of us ever used it as anything except a road car. Mike originally had the engine de-tuned, but it still overheated while driving through London, and Churton de-tuned it further - I don't know the details.
It was a wonderful road car, and we (ex-wife Sue) both loved it - I vividly remember how it cornered. There was an awful time when the government imposed a
50mph speed limit - even on motorways - and I got clocked at 120mph on my way home for Xmas ! I've never owned a sports car since, or driven a car that is anything but practical as I raised my family. I did return to motor-cycling in middle age, and currently ride a Triumph Bonneville with something like the affection I held for the WSM.
You may or may not remember, but that color of Ochre was almost unique in those days. Both Churton and I were used to guys and girls coming into a pub and calling out for the owner of "that yellow car", and both of us met one or other owner of one or other WSM's. Peter Clinch heard of the car as he knew the garage owner in Nottingham who had worked on the WSM, and offered to take it off my hands. The only other vehicle I parted with like that was a 1935 BSA M20 motor-cycle, which I gave to a complete stranger when I ran out of money to keep it on the road - still a medical student ! That was also a famous bike at Middlesex Hospital, going by the name of "God", since Churton drove an NSU called "Jesus" - fun times."
Holland, Richard.. Owns the Bentley registered UC 1940 pictured left that was given the DW-S lightweight treatment circa 1949.
Hulett, Ian. Seasoned Sprite campaigner in the FISC EuroTour series and a front runner on the 
competitive BMC grid organised by Dutchman Pieter Bakker. Ian drove WSM 301 to 6th place in the 2006 Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy after running 5th until a spin and late recovery - team mate Murray Henderson instigated the yellow flash on WSM301 - and Ian is pictured with wife Maggie at the Goodwood Revival Ball. 
Jackson,
Peter. Pictured at Silverstone in 1965 with
Judy and a.n.other, Peter worked alongside Douglas
and Jim at Delta Garage, and was also a 
prominent competition driver.
He owned 46 BXN, a Sebring Sprite which he
campaigned successfully until the car was burnt out on a Welsh stage rally
in 1961, and raced 113 DJB, the MGB roadster with Robbie
Gordon that became the WSM MGB. Peter rebodied BXN using Peels
Coachworks of London for the aluminium bodywork which Douglas
helped design into an 
attractive coupe with a Speedwell 'Monza' bonnet
(pictured with Peter at Wyboston 2004). Peter raced and subsequently owned WSM 201, and was involved in the 
successful 1965
entry at the German Grand Prix support race
and the 500k race a month later at the same venue in WSM 206. The WSM team of Douglas,
Laurette, son Anthony,
daughter Laura, son-in-law Mike Lewis and Peter and girlfriend Judy travelled in the AEC transporter converted
by the Delta Garage team to Douglas's
plans for full living accomodation in front 
and two WSM's loaded in
the back. Peter later left Delta Garage to pursue his own business path, and
continued to race successfully in other marques. Now living in Cornwall,
Peter and Judy have attended 
several WSM gatherings as guests and are
their usual sociable and sought after company. Pictured in November
2005 with John Sprinzel and Willie
Cave, Peter attended the Goodwood Revival in 2006 to watch six WSM's in the Fordwater Trophy.
Janssen,
Peter. Owned 6797 N, the Jaguar XK150S that
was re-bodied to a design by DW-S which was commissioned by Douglas
Hull in 1968. Purchased from Martin Staverman in 1997, Peter completed an extensive restoration in 2003.
Jefferson,
Josie. Worked in the Delta Garage office with
Laura in the early 1960's and remembers the good atmosphere and banter.
Now showing Shire horses around the country from her Leighton Buzzard address,
Josie and son Stuart came to the Rockingham Re-Union in 2001 and the Octane photoshoot at Wing in 2004.
Jenkins,
Chris. Owned the WSM MGB in 1973 which
he used predominantly as a road car before associate
Peter Filby sold the car on to an unknown buyer.
Jones,
Trevor. Drove the WSM MGB during his
time at Lenham Motors and established that the WSM MG1300 survives in
Devon. Indebted.
Kusters,
Leo. Owned WSM 210 and through his Motobuild business
in 1995 restored the car
to racing 
condition in time for the Coys Historic Festival at Silverstone
in 1995 (left). With less time to allocate to the WSM, Leo contacted AW-S
to offer the car for sale in August 2003. Pictured right are Paul
Woolmer and Leo in Holland prior to returning the car to England
in November 2003.
Langton, Amanda.
Amanda's father Stephen Langton bought the
WSM MGB from Josie Tolhurst in 1983. Amanda
made her race debut in the 
WSM and competed in HSCC events, winning the
Best Newcomer award and the British Womens Racing
Drivers Club award for Best Newcomer in 1984. In 1985 Amanda moved on
to Formula Junior in a Lotus 22 but following the tragic death of her
father in a Connaught B-type at Brands in 1986, the WSM was sent to the
Autotron Museum in Holland where it was displayed between a Delorean and
a Mercedes Sports until 1996.
Lewis,
Michael and Laura. Pictured left with DW-S on the grid in 1965 and at
Oulton Park in 1998 with 
WSM 301, Michael met Laura Wilson-Spratt through
the Delta Garage business, and duly settled
in Oxfordshire where they had a son, Simon and daughter Jane. Silverstone
became a favourite and convenient track to race at - leafing through 'Safety
Fast' magazines from 1963 to 1967 throws up many mentions of races in
which Michael was involved - and he gained his
pilots licence at Kidlington aerodrome. Laura also inherited the family
trait and competed in 
Sprite's or WSM's, sometimes alongside her mother Laurette
(left, Laura pictured behind the WSM 3000 at Delta). An ardent MG fan,
Michael's cars were 
badged accordingly and his favourite events were any
MGCC Silverstone meeting in the summer. He achieved success with WSM 202
and the WSM MGB between 1963 and 1967 before the family moved to 
the Isle
of Man in 1970 to farm land above St Johns village. Previous visits to
the TT had unveiled a beautiful Island and they enjoy the company
of grandchildren Michael and Finlay in between sorties to antique fairs
and auctions to furnish a business in Peel. Pictured left, Mike and Laura's daughter Jane, with daughter Finlay trying out WSM 301 for size.
Lewis,
Simon. Son of Michael and Laura, grandson to DW-S and capable pilot of two and four wheeled
machinery - excelled in karting, rallying and sprinting - pictured in
a Cooper S during the Willaston Pursuit at the Manx
Classic in 1994 and sporting the DW-S 'eagle' motif on the front
wing as on WSM's in the 1960's.
Loveridge,
Guy (MCL). Auctioneer and journalist whom
we met at 
the
Manx Classic in 1996. He found a picture of WSM 301 at scrutineering in
1967 at Castle Combe, and drove WSM 301 in the Top Hat series Cloth Cap
race at Mallory in 2003. Guy raced a Frogeye in historic events, pictured
at Combe in 2004 with journalist Claire Furnell,
and took racing seriously with tyre warmers (pictured) in 2001 at Donington. He marketed the revived Connaught marque in 2005, which obviously
had perks (pictured) at the 2006 Autosport Show in Birmingham . . (MCL = Mega 
Coverage Loveridge in
deference to the amount of column inches he can generate). Latest acquisition
was a Sunbeam Rapier , which was shared with his
father at the Manx Classic in 2006, and in which he won his class at the Top Hat series Mallory meeting in September 2006 in the Oldies But Goldies race. 
Lowry,
Jim. An MG race car preparer, restorer and
FIA approved examiner, as an organising member of
the MGTeam series was involved in
gathering grids for events at Donington, Monthlery,
Oulton Park and Zandvoort in 2004. The series was re-branded in 2005 as
'Equipe' GTS and continues to cater for high profile
cars in long distance races for drivers with National A race licence abroad,
or National B licence in the UK. Jim realised an ambition to own a WSM
and purchased
WSM 202 in September 2004 from Paul
Woolmer. Pictured 
above
right with 'Mon Ami' Christophe Willmart
during their search for Christophe's reading glasses, and at Brands
Hatch and Zandvoort
in 2005 with WSM 202, Jim 
subsequently raced at the 2006 Goodwood Revival alongside five other WSM's on the Fordwater Trophy grid (see Race News 2006) and passed custody of the car to John Pearson in March 2007.
email tony@wsmcars.com
