This lost Sebring bodied Sprite belonged to Graham Pritchard, Len Pritchard's son and was his first car at 17. A classic example of the "When is a Sebring Sprite not a Sebring Sprite?" question discussed on the Sebring Sprite page of this website, this car was lovingly crafted by Len at home for his son with similar types of Sebring bodywork modification to those "pick n mix" options that W&P carried out for their paying customers at the First Avenue works. These were contemporaneously available to all, not just to those with competition cars.

The car was located by Len at a local garage in Hertfordshire in 1963. He could clearly see its potential, knowing he could make it good, although Graham himself says he personally wasn't convinced. It was a completely standard Sprite (albeit slightly bashed up) when bought. Len then transformed the bodywork to create "an amazing first car". Graham did a full engine rebuild to fairly standard spec when he first bought it, but after the engine blew up during a youthful display of exuberant over-revving, the engine was rebuilt again by an engineering works in Hornsey, North London (presumably unconnected with Lotus, although it was a fairly close knit community - we are still researching this). Graham continued to tinker and tune the A-series engine which was "Vizzarded" before finally replacing the car with a newer MG midget. He cannot recall to whom he sold the car or when, although it would have been shortly after the colour photos below were taken which are marked as having been developed in 1968.

The car is not currently registered with the UK DVLA. The Register and Graham are very keen to trace the history of the car and know whether it survives in whole or in any part to this day - so if you have a Sebring front with an aluminium power bulge, or know anything about this car, please get in touch.

Many thanks to Graham for the following images and his commentary on each, shown in white:

"The rear end may have been at the same pub that evening."

tucked into the Pritchard's garage

"Here I am as a young man making a fashion statement by wearing hushpuppies and real hair.

If on the internet you trace my hair I will be grateful to have it back / forget about the hushpuppies".

Graham and friend cleaning the car ready for the body work to start.

"Father performing life saving surgery to the Sprite's engine".

Disproving any historical assumptions about Len's lack of interest in matters mechanical. Note his trademark overalls and hat.

"The beginning of a few gyzmo's I fitted, e.g. steering wheel, gear stick, adjustable lamp, additional switches ...

later to include jacuzzi, barbeque, conservatory, wooden decking, swimming pool ..."

"After father had fitted W&P fibreglass hardtop"

This is the fibreglass Sebring hardtop launched by W&P at the 1962 Racing Car Show

"showing light blue colour of the car and matching garage doors"

note the fog light has moved and the front grill removed - this picture was taken in April 1968

"Back again wearing an ex-sheep. Attractive young lady in the background who may now be an attractive older lady."

picture taken August 1968