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WSM The People M - Z

WSM S2	WSM S2 introduction and price list . .
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 . .
The History	The story from conception of WSM in 1961 to present day . .
In Competition	Pictorial file in three parts of WSM's in action from 1962 to date . .
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 . .

Marks, John. Bought WSM 201 from Peter Jackson in August 1966, and sold on in September 1967.

McManus, Jim and Peggy. Pictured in 1962 ( back row, fourth from left) at an SODC meeting, Jim 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, and it was through competition entries that Jim first met Douglas. As more of the special bodied WSM Sprite's were produced at Leighton Buzzard

and exported cars needed homologation papers, Douglas and Jim decided on a name for the cars - 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. 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. Delta Garage closed in 1970 and contact between Jim and Douglas was sporadic until 2001, when a WSM Re-Union was organised at Rockingham as a surprise for Douglas's 80th birthday where four cars and many of the people involved with WSM 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 take an active interest in all things WSM. Jim and

Peggy are

pictured at Rockingham in 2001, the Healey 50th 2002 with Paddy Hopkirk, Wyboston 2004, and grand children Luke and Miles with WSM 301 at the 2006 Goodwood Revival. After serious illness in 2007, it was good to see Jim well again and enjoying the Sprite 50th celebrations at Goodwood in May 2008 (left), and on September 29th 2012 Jim headlined the gathering of WSM cars and Delta Garages personnel for WSM50.

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 later became a jazz record producer with his own label.

Miller, Ivor. Races an Austin A40 and Lotus Cortina in the HRDC Touring Greats series and is a regular Goodwood Revival driver. In 2006 and 2010 Ivor raced the WSM 207 of Rae Davis (qv) at the Revival in the Fordwater Trophy alongside other WSM's in a rare gathering of WSM cars.

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 changed the WSM colour to grey with black stripes and sold to Fred Glaesner of Charleston, California in 1965. Joel contacted us with pictures and news in July 2005, pictured left in September 1963 at an autocross event in Georgia. Joel travelled from Atlanta with wife Shirley for WSM50 and was re-united with WSM 207.

Noble-Thompson, Lorraine. Ordered a WSM S2 in July 2010 having admired the shape for a while. MGCC member, biker and petrol head, Lorraine's GT is designated WSM 402 S2 and is pictured at the WSM50 unveiling and at Race Retro in 2013 with Sir Stirling Moss. Partner Doug Samuels is also a lover of wheels and built a superb BMC transporter replica which transported Paul Woolmer's 'BXN' Sprite to the Goodwood Revival in 2010 . .

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 (qv) 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 (qv). Used as a road car, he moved abroad and sold the car in 1971 to medical student friend Dr Anthony Hodsman (qv).

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. Despite developing a genuine attachment to the WSM, other priorities dictated John sell WSM 202 to Brian Arculus (qv) in September 2008 and ensured, despite interest from abroad, that the car remained in the UK.

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. Alec (left) and Fred 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 our 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 at Douglas's 80th surprise at Rockingham with the WSM's he once owned, Robin recalled selling the cars to finance business ventures and is delighted to see both are still racing. He attended the 50th Sprite event at Goodwood in May 2008 (middle left), the BDC Silverstone race meeting in 2009, and the WSM50 celebrations on September 29th 2012 (bottom left). Click on Autosport magazine excerpts (right) for Healey Centre advertisements from the 1960's.

Radnofsky, Stuart. Bought Sebring Sprite 46 BXN from Richard Higgins (qv) 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 (qv) in 1992.

Rooke, Clive. Owned WSM 201, registered 991 KNM in 1967 having traded in a Frogeye with Peter Jackson (qv) at Delta Garage. Clive traded the WSM back for a Mini Cooper registered FNM 515E in 1967 after the birth of son Jonathan, and met DW-S at Coys Silverstone in 1995 and the Goodwood Revivals in 2006 and 2010 (grandson Alex pictured in WSM 301 and next to WSM 210). Clive is a regular Revival supporter and runs Nostalgia Wedding Cars in Gloucester, and with wife Anna, Jonathan and daughter-in-law Vicki, joined us to celebrate WSM50 in September 2012 (right).

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.

Savarino, Dr Michael John. In tandem with associate Dr George Snively (qv), bought WSM 204 in 1963 for export to San Francisco. Michael 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 (qv) 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 renowned as the 'Tow Car'.

Sidery-Smith, Barry. Bought the WSM MGB in 1975 and used his Le Mans engine in the 1976 Brighton Speed Trials. Raced regularly in the UK, and friend Denis Whistlecroft (qv) had a scrape with the armco at Silverstone in 1976. 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, the WSM was sold to Tony Bianchi (qv) in 1977. Barry continues racing, and was a welcome guest at WSM50 in September 2012.

Snively, Dr George. A Californian physician instrumental in developing the Snell standard for crash helmets, George bought WSM 203 in 1963 for export to San Francisco. He persuaded the SCCA to accept WSM's as production cars, despite the limited number produced. He advertised the car in New York with 1700 racing miles in the late 1960's. Click here for more details, and here for the SCCA Hall of Fame .

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. John celebrated his 80th on 25th October 2010 . .

Tolhurst, Josie. Husband Rodney bought the WSM MGB in April 1981 from Tony Bianci (qv) 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 Delta Garages in 1965 and traded back in later the same year.

Waterhouse, Robert. Bought WSM 3000 in March 2011 and displayed at WSM50 in September 2012 prior to restoration.

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.

Webb, Paul. Established at Colmworth Classic Cars with restorations and customer car racing support, and tasked with completing WSM 208 (left) in 2009. A member of the Bedfordshire 4 consortium that bought an ex-BMC Morris bus at auction in 2004, Paul also owns a Swallow Doretti, navigated Mick Darcey's works Healey 3000 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005 (right), is an active member of the Eastern Centre Austin Healey Club, and supported the Darcey Healey 100S in the 2010 Mille Miglia which was restored by CCC. A gifted photographer, Paul contributes many shots of WSM's in action, and wife Yvette keeps him company (pictured left at the Goodwood Revival in 2006).

Welsh, Peter. Bought the WSM 3000 from Mike Levey (qv) in 1967. Peter used the car on the road and for stage rallying until the late 1970's when the car was laid up. A move to Alvington, Gloucestershire in 1984 saw the WSM stored in a shelter of sorts beside the house, but Peter's health and circumstances deteriorated in the 1990's. In 2003 Peter met Douglas Wilson-Spratt for the first time and agreed the car should return to Douglas and be restored. In 2009 however, Peter was kept in a care home as his health failed and he passed away in June 2010.

Whistlecroft, Dennis. Drove the WSM MGB in conjunction with Barry Sidery-Smith (qv), and during a sprint at Silverstone in November 1976 put the car into the armco barriers. Son Steve said . ."My dad was in the motor trade and was known to have an interest in MG's - his very first car being a pre-war Midget (reg MG 787) that still exists today, fully restored. One of his friends and fellow motor traders was Barry Sidery-Smith, a well known MG racer who owns and still races one of the factory Le Mans MG's that competed in 1964. Dad and Barry owned a number of different MG's between them over the years including the unique WSM special bodied MGB (which funnily enough was also white when we owned it, but is now red). Dad modified this car quite substantially with the help of the Silverstone Armco!"

White, Mike. Pictured right in 1963 collecting WSM 205 from Wing, and on the grid (left) at Goodwood, Mike was a successful driver in MW 3. Turner registrar Russell Filby recalled Mike competing 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, remembered some midnight lappery in a WSM at Goodwood in 1963 with Mike after a visit to the Richmond Arms, but the unofficial practice was cut short by a police car appearing in the chicane. Mike sold WSM 205 back to DW-S in 1965. We failed for years to trace Mike, but he telephoned in November 2005 after reading in Classic & Sportscar a plea for information on his whereabouts. DW-S, Mike, Peter Jackson and Jim McManus met up for the first time in 45 years at Goodwood on May 17th 2008 for the Sprite 50th, pictured with WSM 301 on the grid, and Mike has since joined us at HRDC Mallory in May 2011 and Silverstone MGLive in June 2011 and 2012.

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. He 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, with WSM 301 at the 50th Sprite event at Goodwood in May 2008, and WSM 208 at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in 2011. Pictured (right) with Bill Emerson (qv) at WSM50 in September 2012, his autobiography 'Whizzo' is a must read.

Wilson-Spratt, Anthony. Immersed in motorsport from an early age by dint of his father, Douglas, and in 1980 bought WSM 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 301, and subsequently renewed family interest in the location of other WSM's. The WSM MGB returned to England from a Dutch museum with Soames Langton in 1996, and the car soon

joined WSM 301 in the Isle of Man. AW-S found the WSM AH3000 in the UK, repatriated WSM 207 from the USA, and brought WSM 210 back from Holland. He co-ordinated the 2001 WSM Rockingham Re-Union where WSM cars and friends gathered for his father's 80th birthday surprise, and has raced WSM's since 1996, including the Healey Club series and historic events in Belgium, France, Holland, Italy and the UK. Highlighting renewed interest in the marque were four WSM's on the Fordwater Trophy grid in the Goodwood Revival in 2003, six cars at the 2006 Revival and four cars at Goodwood in the Historic Car display

at the

Sprite 50th on May 17th 2008. Production of Sanction 2 cars began in 2009, and four WSM's contested the Fordwater Trophy race at Goodwood in 2010. Other WSM highlights included the HRDC race at Brands Hatch in April 2011 where WSM's qualified 1st, 5th, 6th and 10th in the mainly A-series powered 26 car grid, and WSM50 on September 29th 2012 which featured the WSM cars and the associated people gathered for the 50th anniversary celebration.

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 June 1921 - April 2011. 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. As interest in WSM's underwent a resurgance in the 1980/90's he supported WSM's wherever they raced, and was an invited guest to the Healey 50th at Thruxton in 2002, and the Sprite 50th event at Goodwood in May 2008.

Douglas is pictured with Jim McManus, Mike White and Peter Jackson (above left) on the 2008 Goodwood grid and in 2009 he signed off the last of the original production run (WSM 208). He gave approval for Sanction 2 cars to be produced, and in 2010 accompanied four WSM's at the Goodwood Revival. The newly formed HRDC series grid on April 9th 2011 for 'A' series cars saw WSM's qualify 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 10th. His sudden passing on April 12th 2011 was marked at the Peel church service with two WSM's and a fly-past by the Association of Manx Pilots.

Woolmer, Paul and Sharon. Met AW-S and DW-S in 1995 at the Coys Historic at Silverstone and were part-catalysts of the decision for WSM's to be raced again by the W-S family. Pictured with Paddy Hopkirk in 2002 at the Thruxton Healey 50th and with daughter Lizzie, left, Paul and Sharon have been active Healey Club member for many years and Paul is now designated 'works cars' archivist. He 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 on display at Wyboston in 2004 with Peter Jackson, and right, at the Goodwood

Revival in 2006 before a seized gearbox caused a roll in the gravel trap. In 2008, BXN was driven by Peter Jackson at Goodwood during the Sprite 50th celebrations (right), and in 2009 Paul agreed a WSM Cars partnership with AW-S to build Sanction 2 WSM's. A third appearance at the Goodwood Revival resulted in 4th place in the 2010 Fordwater Trophy race, and 4th place in the inaugural HRDC 'Grand Touring Greats' in April 2011. WSM50 on September 29th 2012 saw the official unveiling of three completed Sanction 2 WSM's (right).

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, the Octane magazine photoshoot in 2004, the tribute to DW-S at Silverstone MGLive on June 26th 2011, and WSM50 on September 29th 2012.

Yahagi, Masakazu. Bought WSM 203 from Takayuki Hata (qv) in 2003. Runs Marcos Gullwing GT's and 1964 MGB alongside WSM 203 in historic racing.

Yturria, Scott. Contacted us in December 2009 from California - he bought WSM 210 in 1968 from Dave Collier and drove the car throughout his college days. He sold WSM 210 in 1972 and replaced it with a Lotus Elan SE. Subsequent cars included Maserati Bora and Merak, Lamborghini Miura and Countach and Ferrari 246, 308 and 512. Scott has a small collection of F1 cars, and a Group C car which he uses on track.

Zafer, Alan. Met on September 23rd 2012 at MGB50 and discovered he owned the WSM3000 circa 1969. A search for info is ongoing chez Zafer.

Thanks to :

Archer, Brian. Sebring specialist and guru regarding Sprinzel's creation. Produced the period bucket seats for WSM 301 in 1996 after meeting at the 1995 Coys Historic at Silverstone. A gentleman, missed by many after passing away in 2008.

Baggott, John. Ex-Sprite racer, 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 ( 01892 862656) and further projects are ongoing.

Bakker, Pieter. Pictured left at Zandvoort, organises the excellent FISC Eurotour series from Holland that lists most of the historic European circuits as venues. WSM 301 joined the grid in September 2007 at Monza for a three race week-end.

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 22nd/24th July 2005. 'The Works MG's' 2nd edition book produced in 2011 with Mike Allison is superb.

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. In September 2012, Joe brought his AH4000 to help celebrate WSM50. Click on to access the Austin Healey Club.

Critten, Adrian. IOM based restorer who fixed the fibreglass bonnet on WSM 301 after Brands 1998. Following 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.

Greenwood, Barry. A good friend to Douglas, and a fellow aviator and Manx resident who financed production of the WSM re-union video in 2001. He passed away in 2010.

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 near Angouleme, France in 2005 with wife Linda, but repatriated in 2010 back to the Isle of Man.

Scribe, MGA Register historian and MG bulwark whom we met again at the Silverstone MGCC meeting in July 2004.

Jones, Stephen.. Professional photographer in the UK who has provided some excellent WSM action pictures 20

Moore, David. Helped find the WSM 3000 in 2003 after a five year search, for which we are indebted. Pictured left to right - AH3000 (David bought the car from Lenham Sports Cars in 1972 and proposed to Liz in it) at the Prescott Hill Climb. David in the company car (Cummins diesel which set pole at Indianapolis in 1952) at the 1999 Goodwood Festival of Speed , and keeping the cholestrol at bay on the Thames. On September 29th 2012, David and Liz supported WSM50, the first opportunity since 2003 to thank him in person (pictured with Paul Woolmer and Liz).

North, Mike. Editor of MASCOT, the Midget & Sprite Club website at mgcars.org.uk who helped with information appeals.

Parker, Chris and Mavis. Aviators, MG club members and long time friends of DW-S through Sywell aerodrome and a love of aircraft. Both welcome guests who contributed to the WSM Re-Union in 2001, attended the Octane photoshoot at Wing in March 2004, the Isle of Man in July 2004 with the MG Car Club, the Goodwood Revival in 2006, BDC Silverstone (left) in 2009, and WSM50 in September 2012 (right) with their pristine Volvo Amazon.

Pressnell, Jon. Writer and contributor to Classic & Sportscar. Jon's article in 1996 helped track WSM's and set high standards in feature writing 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.

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.

Wilmart, Christophe. Pictured at Snetterton in 2005 with DW-S, Christophe organised the popular ' Equipe' GTS race series. Producing quality grids and at great circuits too - Montlhery in 2004, Brands Hatch and Dijon in 2005, Oulton in 2006, Le Mans in 2007, Zolder in 2008, Zandvoort in 2009 - a highlight was two races at the Silverstone MGLive event on the full Grand Prix circuit in 2010 . .

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.

email tony@wsmcars.com