Other Fibreglass Spridget Fronts
There are several different styles of fibreglass front which have been made over the years, which are frequently confused with the W&P Sebring GT front. This is a short photographic reference guide. |
Williams & Pritchard
Sebring Mk I
as used on the original Sprinzel Sebring Sprites, bonnet manufactured by Williams & Pritchard into the early 70s, replicas now made by Archer's Garage from new moulds |
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Speedwell Monza
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Speedwell's Monza bonnet, which was also manufactured by Williams & Pritchard into the early 70s, replicas now made by Archer's Garage from new moulds
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Ashley
Ashley Mk I
| distinguishable from the W&P Sebring GT by its large oval air intake, central bonnet spine, lack of central power bulge, and indicator plinths |
Ashley Mk II
pictures of the Ashley Mk II front will be added in due course
Ashley GT
period picture - wide gawping air intake, low raised vent across bonnet
Lenham
distinguishable by its "smiley" air intake, small offset power bulge, and brake vents
Coupe / Fastback Spridget Hardtops
Ashley and Lenham also produced coupe bodywork for the spridget.
Ashley
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Patrick Espinosa's and Laurent Derancourt's Ashley hardtops
The Sebring GT hardtop is most confused with the Ashley hardtop. This is because they are the two types of removable coupe hardtop that were avaliable for spridgets. Ashley hardtops have all glass windows, including side opening windows and a large rear screen which is actually an E-Type coupe window inverted. The rear window extends some distance over the car boot panel opening, and it only has a small "flap" of an opening boot panel. The rear is smooth and steamlined with no kamm. In the event that you see an Ashley with a kamm, it will have been modified and is not to original spec. Ashley made two versions for the frogeye (one with rear side windows, and one more bulbous one without side windows), a version for the sidescreen Mk II Sprite / Mk I Midget, and a verision for the wind-up window spridgets. The Sebring GT hardtop differs in that it has perspex windows which are fixed; the kamm boot lid which is substantially larger; a built in parcel shelf; and a slightly lower roof profile that along with the kamm improves rather than detracts from handling at speed.
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Lenham
Lenham did two styles of fixed coupe bodywork - the Fastback, and the Le Mans (as well as the GTO spider rear)
Other Special Bodied Midgets and Sprites
These are outside of the scope of this website, but include WSM, Peel Coachworks, Jacobs Midgets and other special bodies. A substantial guide is available on Martin Ingall's excellent website at www.sebringsprite.com
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