Pastel 1960 Racing Sprite

by Lin Grosvenor

Title

Pastel 1960 Racing Sprite

Artist

Lin Grosvenor

Medium

Digital Art

Description

This is what was called a "Stage III" Austin-Healy Sprite. Differences from the stock car are: swapping a post-1961 1098 cc OHV engine for the for the original 948 cc OHV one (taking it up to a mighty 42 bhp); Cooper side-draft carburetors; an extra leaf in the (1/2 leaf) rear springs; sintered iron race clutch; and chrome plated muffler bearings.

Sprites were fairly popular in early-mid SCCA racing in Class G Production or H Modified, being both fairly affordable and fairly competitive, as long as the electrical system remained electrical - hint: these systems were made by Lucas Electric [AKA The Prince of Darkness; their automotive light systems had 3 settings, 'Off', 'Dim' & 'Flicker']. Legend has it that the British drink their beer warm because Lucas dominated the refrigeration market.

The artist, believing himself to have an advantage in skill, evened the field by replacing the stock "Bug-Eye" front body (bonnet) with a heavier fiberglass Ferrari Testarossa-ish front end, reportedly made by Devin Enterprises of El Monte, CA, who started, allegedly, making bodies for Panhards, Crosley Hot Shots, Allards, and other lesser Marques, if there were any.

In truth, he never raced it, but the young ladies sure thought it was cute and fun to toot about in.

Uploaded

March 29th, 2016

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