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WSM The People M - Z

For Sale	Cars, motorhomes, wheels, windscreens and more . .
Race News	Updates on WSM's in competition in the current year . .
Home Page	Website front page . .
Past Events	Pictorial file of events, shows and gatherings with WSM's involved . .
The History	The story from conception of WSM in 1961 to present day . .
In Competition	Pictorial file in two parts of WSM's in action from 1962 to 2007 . .
News & Archive	New contacts, forthcoming events plus archives . .
Bentley to Sprite	Pictorial file on almost everything bar WSM's that DW-S drove . .
The People A - L	WSM - racers, mechanics, painters, owners, salesmen A - L . .

McManus, Jim and Peggy. Jim, pictured in 1962 ( back row, fourth from left), joined the Delta Garage business in 1963 after having worked at the Donald Healey Motor Company in London for seven years. Jim was an acknowledged expert in driving tests and a founder member of the Healey Drivers Club. As more of the special bodied Sprite's were produced at Leighton Buzzard and exported cars needed homologation papers, Douglas and Jim had to decide on a

name for the cars - thus WSM for Wilson-Spratt & McManus - nicknamed 'Wuzzums' by Laurette Wilson-Spratt. A mews premises in Winchester Rd, Swiss Cottage, London became the 'Healey Centre' in response to customers tuning requirements but the business

quickly expanded and was relocated within the Delta Garage premises in Leighton Buzzard. Jim moved on in 1965 and later joined Malaya Garage in Sussex with Malcolm Bridgeland. The Delta Garage business closed in 1970 and contact between Jim and Douglas was sporadic until 2001, when a surprise WSM Re-Union was organised at Rockingham for Douglas's 80th birthday where four cars and many of the people involved with the cars and the Delta Garage business were gathered together.

Jim and Peggy were an integral part of the WSM

meetings at Rockingham, Thruxton 2002 and Wing and Wyboston in 2004, and in between holiday cruises continue to take an active interest in all things WSM. Pictured at Rockingham in 2001, the Healey 50th 2002 with Paddy Hopkirk, Wyboston 2004, and grandchildren Luke and Miles with WSM 301 at the 2006 Goodwood Revival.

Miles, John. Son of Sir Bernard Miles, John worked at Delta Garage for a short while through his connection with

Peter Jackson in the 1960's, pictured left at Brands Hatch in dark glasses. John racked up 9 successive wins in an Elan 26R prepared by John Willment Automobiles Ltd to dominate the Autosport Championship during 1966, including a Brands Hatch Easter meeting where a bonnet came loose while leading, he pitted and came back to win on the last lap. John gave the Lotus 47 its debut at the 1967 Boxing Day Brands Hatch meeting, beating Willie Green's Ginetta G12 to win the GT race. He shared longer races with another future F1 driver, Jackie Oliver, including a notable win in the BOAC International 6 Hour race at Silverstone, and John took two wins at that year's Vila Real event in Portugal with a Lotus Elan and Ford Cortina. John went on to Formula 1 with Lotus in 1970 and subsequently development work for Lotus and Aston Martin. He also became a jazz record producer with his own label.

Miller, Ivor. Races an Austin A40 and Lotus Cortina in the Top Hat series and is a regular Goodwood Revival

entrant. In 2006 Ivor raced Rae Davis's WSM 207 at the Revival in the Fordwater Trophy alongside five other WSM's in the largest collection of WSM cars ever seen on road or track.

Nelson, Joel G. Bought WSM 207 in 1963 while stationed in France with the US Army. The

Vietnam veteran from Augusta raced in SCCA events in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. A hard core race fan since 1948 and retired Lieutenant Colonel, Joel also ran a Lotus 23 and a 289 Shelby AC Cobra. He sold the WSM to Fred Glaesner of Charleston, California in 1965, and contacted us with pictures and news in July 2005. Pictured left in September 1963 at an autocross event in Georgia.

Overton, Brian. Bought WSM 205 (left) in 1968 and changed the car's colour to Tangerine red. Recalls pictures of the car during Bill Viney's ownership when Bill competed at Brands Hatch in the 1960's. In Brian's most recent contact with us in 2004, he regrets the day he sold the car.

Pauli, Dr Churton. Bought WSM 301 in 1970 from brother-in-law Michael Royde. Used as a road car, he moved abroad and sold the car in 1971 to medical student friend Dr Hodsman.

Pearson, John. Bought WSM 202 in March 2007. A self confessed classic car nut since childhood, he has an unmolested 60,000

mile 3.8 E-Type coupe and a nearly completed FIA prepared 3.8 E-Type racer. A media career enabled the Surrey based MGB racer to join the Equipe GTS race series, and he made his WSM debut at the Le Mans double-header in July 2007.

Peels Coachworks. Alec Goldie and Fred Faulkner operated the coachwork business in Kingston-on-Thames that

fashioned the aluminium bodied WSM designs. Fred had previous experience with AC cars, and both men worked at Brooklands for Hawkers before WW2. Pictured right with the WSM MG1100 ready to trailer WSM 301 to Leighton Buzzard in 1965.

Pinkerton, Robin. Pictured at the 2004 Healey International, Robin was the Delta Garage sales manager in the 1960's and had many of the quickest Healey 3000, Sprite and Cooper S cars on showroom display in Hockliffe St. Robin owned WSM 202 for a short while, and the WSM MGB in 1969 in which he and future wife Mardi toured Spain on holiday. Robin also recalls the picture of Robin and Peter as header to this page . . "Douglas and I flew from Heathrow to Lisbon in 1964 and we were both suprised to be flying in a De Havilland Comet, a fairly new experience then. Peter (Jackson) and Laurette drove to Portugal in the race Cooper S, full of cylinder heads, camshafts etc. On arrival the Cooper S and the Cooper S of a Delta customer (Atomic Autos ) were placed side by side and new tweaked heads and camshafts were fitted to both cars. They then raced in the Saloon Car Grand Prix at Cascias, an attractive circuit just north of Estoril. The Atomic Autos car was very quick, but did not last the distance, while Douglas finished 2nd. After the race there was a great party, and I sold all the bits and pieces that Peter and Laurette had brought with them, including the head and camshaft from our car which were sold to Atomic Autos after replacing them with the original standard parts. Peter and I flew home while Douglas and Laurette drove back having a mini holiday en route. Some things don't change, as the airline misplaced our luggage for several days, but it eventually turned up ! " Re-united in 2001 with the WSM's he once owned, Robin recalled selling the cars to finance business ventures and is delighted to see that both are still racing. Click on Autosport magazine excerpts for Healey Centre advertisements from 1960's.

Radnofsky, Stuart. Bought Sebring Sprite 46 BXN from Richard Higgins in 1986, restoring the car and

changing the colour from red to yellow. Stuart raced at the 1990 Christies Historic at Silverstone on the old GP circuit, and recalls some very close racing involving the Sebring of Donald Hands. Stuart sold BXN to Mick Darcey in 1994.

Rooke, Clive. Owned WSM 201, registered 991 KNM in 1966 having traded in a Frogeye with Peter Jackson at Delta Garage. Clive traded the WSM back for a Mini Cooper registered FNM 515E in 1967 after the birth of his son, and met DW-S at Coys Silverstone in 1995 and the Goodwood Revival in 2006. He is a regular Revival supporter and runs Nostalgia Wedding Cars in Gloucester.

Royde, Michael. Bought WSM 301 in 1966 from Delta Garage, and commissioned a green paint finish. Michael competed in circuit racing for a while, and included a trip to Greece before painting the car Ochre Yellow and selling to Andrews Garage of City Rd, Cardiff to finance a Morgan in 1970. An independant financial advisor, Michael kindly sent period photographs of WSM 301 from his Hampshire home in 2007.

Saverino, Dr Michael. In tandem with associate Dr Snively, bought WSM 204 in 1963 for export to San Francisco. Advertised a WSM for sale in Road & Track in 1964 using a pic of DWS 97

Eugen W Schmid. Bought the Jaguar XK150S in 2005 that Douglas Hull had commissioned with Douglas Wilson-Spratt in 1968 - see the 'History' page for more detail. The car featured at the

Patek Philipp Rally at Lake Geneva in June 2006, the British Classic meet at St Moritz in July and the 30th Jaguar Drivers Club meeting. Zurich resident Eugen hopes to bring the car to England, sporting the tow bar refitted in 2006 as befits the car re-knowned as the 'Tow Car'.

Sidery-Smith, Barry. Owned the WSM MGB from 1975 to 1977 and used his Le Mans engine in

the 1976 Brighton Speed Trials. Barry contributed to the WSM Re-Union video in 2001 and is still involved in all things MGB, racing with the Le Mans MGB and a 'Coune' MGB Berlinetta. He was back in France at the 2004 Le Mans Classic in the B after a big accident at the same venue two years previously, and is a regular Goodwood Revival entrant. Pictured with the WSM MGB in 1976, and at Brands Hatch in 2005.

Snively, Dr George. A Californian physician instrumental in developing the Snell standard for crash helmets, bought WSM 203 in

1963 for export to San Francisco. He also persuaded the SCCA to accept WSM's as production cars, despite the limited number produced. Click here for more details, and here for the SCCA Hall of Fame in which George features

Sprinzel, John. John chalked up many rally and race wins over a long career in diverse machinery, and is perhaps most famous for the 1950's Speedwell tuning operation with Len Adams and George Hulbert in a North London mews, and his Sebring Sprite's in the early 1960's. He was British Rally Champion in 1958 and competed in the Liege-Rome-Liege and East African Safari rallies, also notching up over 100 international events in 40 different types of car from Mini to Range Rover. Graham Hill took on the Speedwell operation in 1959 when John started JS Racing Ltd, and DW-S was to become a customer before embarking on his own designs. The book 'Spritely Years' with Tom Coulthard is an excellent description of the events that the charismatic Sprinzel competed in. Pictured below with Paul Hawkins (left) and Cyril Simson in 1962, John visited the UK in November 2005 to drive the restored PMO 200 Sebring Sprite with which he achieved so much. Octane magazine headlined the re-union in January 2007, and Stirling Moss racing the same car at the Goodwood Revival in 2006 with John having made the trip from his home in Hawaii.

Tolhurst, Josie. Husband Rodney bought the WSM MGB in April 1981 and Josie raced in two HSCC events at Brands in September that year. Racing in Formula Junior then took precedence, and in 1983 the car was sold to Stephen Langton.

Viney, Bill. Bought WSM 205 from Mike White circa 1965.

Waterworth, Tom. Raced WSM 301 at Mallory and Donington in the 1999 Austin Healey championship and at the WSM Re-Union in 2001. Has owned Rover 2000, Cortina Mk11, Nissan Micra, Morgan and currently preparing a Mini for competition. Pictured at Mallory, Rockingham, after the Goodwood Festival of Speed with French rally goddess Michelle Mouton, and at the 2006 Goodwood Revival with wife Rose and sons Seth and Shay.

Whistlecroft, Dennis. Drove the WSM MGB in conjunction with Barry Sidery-Smith, and during a sprint at Silverstone in November 1976 put the car into the armco barriers. Not the first, and not the last to . .

	White, Mike. Pictured in 1963 collecting WSM 205 from Wing, and on the grid at Goodwood, Mike was a successful driver in MW 3. Turner registrar Russell Filby recalls that Mike competed in Turners prior to the WSM and was second in the 1962 Veedol Trophy - Mike is pictured at Oulton Park in April 1962 in the Alexander Turner. Warwick Banks, of Tatty Turner fame, remembers some midnight lappery in a WSM at Goodwood in 1963 with Mike after a visit to the Richmond Arms, but the untimed practice was cut short by a police car appearing in the chicane. After we failed for years to trace Mike, he telephoned us in November 2005 after reading in Classic & Sportscar a plea for information on his whereabouts.

Williams, Barrie 'Whizzo' .. A long time acquaintance of DW-S who filled a gaping hole in his pedalling CV when as a guest driver he qualified WSM 301 in a remarkable fourth place at the BRDC Summer 500 in July 2004 at Silverstone. Has more experience on four wheels than most have on two feet, and is a regular feature at the Goodwood Revival. Pictured sporting the trademark grin as ever.

Wilson-Spratt, Anthony. Son of Douglas who found all things WSM late but better than never. In 1980 he bought WSM Sprite 301, after the owner in Nottingham traced the W-S family to the Isle of Man. A call from Sprite historian Tom Coulthard in 1995 prompted a visit to Coys Historic at Silverstone with WSM 301, and subsequently renewed family interest

in the whereabouts of other WSM's. When the WSM MGB returned to the UK with Soames Langton in 1996, the car joined WSM 301 in the Isle of Man . The WSM AH3000 was traced in the UK, WSM 207 repatriated from the USA with Rae Davis, and WSM 210 brought back from Holland with Paul Woolmer. AW-S co-ordinated the 2001 WSM Rockingham Re-Union where WSM cars and friends gathered for DW-S's 80th birthday surprise, and has raced WSM's since 1996, including Healey Club races and historic events in the UK and France. Highlighting the renewed interest in the marque were four WSM cars on the Fordwater Trophy grid in the Goodwood Revival in 2003 (see WSM - In Competition and WSM - Events), and six cars on the 2006 Revival grid (see Race News 2006).

Wilson-Spratt, Claire. Daughter-in-law to Douglas and used to commuting in WSM's. Now resigned to having lost her double garage, but without her unstinting support and enthusiasm we could not function. Pictured left at a charity function at QE11 School in 2004 with shy and reserved partner in crime, Alison McGowan.

Wilson-Spratt, Douglas. Designed the WSM Sprite initially for his own use in 1962. Living in Wing, Bedfordshire, Douglas was interested in creating aerodynamic and lightweight alternatives to his cars - a 4 1/2 litre Bentley received the DW-S treatment in 1946 - and the possibility of producing more WSM's arose at a Silverstone test day in October 1962 (right) when there was such interest in the 'chiron' blue WSM prototype that Douglas acknowledged further production was viable.

Delta Garage, a well established Vauxhall, Austin, Bedford and latterly Volvo dealership in Leighton Buzzard which Douglas and his wife Laurette had owned from 1954, was to be the home of WSM, and the business expanded to include one of the first accessory shops to offer specialised parts for Austin Healeys. Always actively engaged in supporting her husbands career, the WSM's were nicknamed 'Wuzzums' by Laurette and the cars went on to much success in competition around the UK, Europe and the USA. Douglas also excelled at stage rallying, hill climbing and auto testing but as 'modsports' became more popular, WSM's disappeared from view. As disc trouble in his back caused motorsport to take a back seat, and Delta Garage closed in 1970, Douglas relocated the family to Peel in the Isle of Man six years later to concentrate on his first love, aviation and join daughter Laura and family. Douglas is pictured in WSM 202 at Wing in 2004, in a 2003 Cooper S, the Jodel Ambassadeur and with Stuart Turner (left) and Peter Browning at MGCC Silverstone in 2005.

Woolmer, Paul and Sharon. Pictured with Paddy Hopkirk in 2002 at the Thruxton Healey 50th and with daughter Lizzie, left, Paul

has been an active Healey Club member for many years and is now designated 'works cars' archivist. Paul won the FISC championship in 1995 with the ex-Peter Jackson Sebring Sprite registered 46 BXN, and brought WSM 301 up to racing spec in 1996. After buying WSM 202 in December 2000, Paul finished restoring the car in time to race

in the 2001 WSM Re-Union, the 2002 Healey 50th and the Goodwood Revival in 2003. He purchased PMO 200 , the ex-John Sprinzel car, and completed a ground up restoration in time for JS to drive it in

November 2005, and Stirling Moss at the Goodwood Revival in 2006. Together with AW-S, he brought WSM 210 back from Holland in November 2003 for subsequent owner Clive Cocks. In August 2004 Paul sold WSM 202 to Jim Lowry of Equipe GTS fame, and bought BXN from Mick Darcey. Pictured left at the

Goodwood Revival in 2003 - Sharon, Lizzie, Claire Wilson-Spratt & Richard Woolmer and right, BXN at Wyboston in 2004, and left, BXN at the Goodwood Revival in 2006 before a seized gearbox caused a roll in the gravel trap.

Wright, Eddie. Introduced as a 19 year old to Delta Garage by Ted Spencer, Sales Manager in 1960, Eddie became spray shop foreman

under Stan Fountain and with Mick Hancock remembers putting finishing touches to WSM's. Eddie attended the Rockingham Re-Union event in 2001 with wife Ann, and pictured right at Wing for Octane magazine in 2004.

Yahagi, Masakazu. Bought WSM 203 from Takayuki Hata in 2003.

Thanks to :
Archer, Brian. Sebring specialist and maintains S 221, Chris Clegg's famous Sebring Sprite pictured right at Goodwood in 2003. Produced the period bucket seats for WSM 301 in 1996 after meeting at the 1995 Coys Historic at Silverstone.
Baggott, John. Author and freelance writer whom we met in person for the first time at the Silverstone MGCC event in 2005. WSM sections in his books 'Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites' and 'MGB The Racing Story' were produced with first hand knowledge and dedication, and are excellent references to the respective racing marques. The article in 'MG Enthusiasts' magazine October edition is the most comprehensive piece on the WSM MGB to date. His latest book 'Big Healeys In Competition' is superb and available now on 01892 862656.
Bakker, Pieter. Pictured left at Dijon, organises the excellent FISC Midget & Sprite Eurotour series from Holland that lists Monza, Nurbergring and Dijon amongst circuits visited.
Beech Hill Garage - A family business started by ex-F1 engineer Ted de la Riviere, now operated by son William. In league with Rob Mackie, produced new engine for WSM MGB in 2005. Click on logo for more details -
Browning, Peter. Ran the BMC Competitions Department after Stuart Turner moved to Castrol in 1967, and was the MGCC competitions secretary for many years. Involved in racing since Adam took a fancy to a Granny Smith, and with Marcus Chambers and Stuart Turner, helped the Competitions Department celebrate 50 years at MGCC Silverstone 22/24th July 2005.
Coulthard, Tom. Actor, writer and Sprite historian who helped instigate a WSM revival by bringing 46 BXN, WSM 301 and WSM 210 together at the Silverstone Coys Historic Festival in 1995, right. Pictured on national TV in a recent role, Tom has contributed several excellent period photographs of WSM's, and joined us at Rockingham in 2001, Goodwood Revival in 2003 and 2006, Wyboston and Silverstone 2004 and MGCC Silverstone in 2005.
Cox, Joe. Healey race organiser and raconteur, always welcomes WSM's to his grids. Joe's father Peter was an old friend of DW-S for many years until Peter's sad demise in 2004. Click on to access the Austin Healey Club.
Critten, Adrian. IOM based restorer who fixed the fibreglass bonnet on WSM 301 after Brands 1998. After recent illness, he is back to rude health with a trip to Leguna Seca and pictured right, a blast on a Kawasaki in November 2004. Pictured left, current love, the MV Augusta.
Dawson, Ian. Photographer at Wing 2004 for Octane magazine, Ian produced some of the best WSM pictures to date from the shoot. Pictured on the pavement outside Delta House to achieve what became a headline shot in the magazine.
Emerson, Bill. Pictured right at Thruxton in 2002 with DW-S, and at the Amelia Island concours in 2004 in his Healey Silverstone. Ex- NASA engineer, car collector and author of the definitive Healey book in 2002 that featured the WSM marque in detail, and recently acquired the 1948 Healey Westland that Donald and Geoff Healey drove from New York to Hollywood in 1948. Bill made the USA - UK trip especially for the Goodwood Revival in 2006 to see the Fordwater Trophy featuring WSM's, Speedwell and Sebring Sprite's, and is appointed curator to the Healey museum in Virginia, USA. Click on picture right for more details.
Greenwood, Barry. Manx resident and aviator who helped produce the WSM re-union video in 2001. Indebted.
Grundey, Eric. Lending WSM 301 a radiator in the 1996 Manx Classic was the first of many times the MG specialist came up trumps, and 301 and the WSM MGB subsequently spent time in his Octagon workshop on various projects. Moved to France in 2005 with wife Linda, and a much missed presence here.
Hubbard, Piers. Scribe, MGA Register historian and MG bulwark whom we met again at the Silverstone MGCC meeting in July 2004.
Jones, Stephen. Professional photographer at races throughout the UK with excellent WSM pictures, example at Donington 2004.
Moore, David. Helped find the WSM 3000 after a five year search, for which we are iIndebted. Pictured - David in the company car (Cummins diesel which set pole at Indianapolis in 1952) at the 1999 Goodwood Festival of Speed , AH3000 (David bought the car from Lenham Sports Cars in 1972 and proposed to his wife in it) at the Prescott Hill Climb, and keeping the cholestrol at bay on the Thames.
North, Mike. Editor of MASCOT, the Midget & Sprite Club website at mgcars.org.uk
Parker, Chris and Mavis. Aviators, MG club members and long time friends of DW-S through Sywell aerodrome. Both were welcome guests who contributed to the WSM Re-Union in 2001, attended the Octane photoshoot at Wing in March 2004 (left), the Isle of Man in July 2004 with the MG Car Club, and the Goodwood Revival in 2006.
Pressnell, Jon. Writer and contributor to Classic & Sportscar. Jon's article in 1996 helped track WSM's and set high standards to follow. Now lives in France and continues to contribute to C & S.
Roberts, Andrew. Freelance writer, MG fan and compiler of the comprehensive article in the October 2004 issue of Octane magazine that covers the WSM story. Pictured interviewing DW-S, Andrew's enthusiasm for his work is highly infectious. Beware.
Stone, Mark Harwood. Jaguar petrol head, freelance motoring and motorsport correspondant whom we met at Oulton Park in 1998 and who subsequently wrote pieces on WSM's. Mark toured the Willaston course with Mike Lewis in the WSM MGB in September 1999 during the Manx Classic, and contributed his expertise to the Rockingham Re-Union write up in 2001.
Suckling, Steve. Helped find the WSM 3000 after a five year search. Indebted.
Sunderland, Katherine. Sprite racer from 1997, now living in South Africa, whose blue and yellow Frogeye had some great scraps with WSM 301 in the Healey championship, pictured at Cadwell 1997. The Frog passed to Patrick Harris in 2002 and is still campaigned on Healey grids.
Thurgood, Julias. Runs Top Hat racing, now under the umbrella of 'The Masters Racing Series', boasting quality grids and encompassing mini enduro's for pre-'65 historic sports cars, pre-'60 touring cars and a Sebring Salute for pre-'71 historic GT's. Click on graphic for information.
Varey, Angela and David. Owners of Vicarage Lodge, the conceptual birthplace of WSM Sprite's. Without their enthusiasm, understanding and patience we could not have re-created the 1963 scene of four WSM's together in March 2004 for the 'Octane' magazine write-up. Thank you.
Webb, Paul. Established at Colmworth Classic Cars with ongoing restorations and customer car racing support, and a member of the Bedfordshire consortium that bought a BMC bus at auction in 2004. Paul owns a Swallow Doretti, has navigated in Mick Darcey's works Healey 3000 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005 (right), and is an active member of the Eastern Centre Austin Healey Club. A gifted photographer, Paul has contributed many shots of WSM's in action, and wife Yvette keeps him company at events such as the Goodwood Revival in 2006 (pictured left).
Willmart, Christophe. Pictured at Snetterton in 2005 with DW-S, Christophe is the organiser of historic racing through Equipe GTS with Jim Lowry. They produce quality grids and at great circuits too - Montlhery in 2004, Brands Hatch and Dijon in 2005, Oulton in 2006 and Le Mans in 2007 . . mpson
Wilson, Ian. Professional photographer and official marksman for the Top Hat / Masters race series. The evocative Goodwood Revival 2003 assembly area shot of four WSM snouts that headed the wsmcars website is superb. Shot clandestine WSM and naked model pix in Brands paddock during race meeting for charity calendar in 2005. Artful.
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