1959 Austin Healey Sprite
VIN # AN5L/9010
"The Blue Stripe Special"
This Austin Healey Sprite was manufactured near the end of the 1958
production run, and was titled as a 1959. The original owner, J.P. Whitaker,
bought the car (with the intent of going racing), from John Dennison Foreign
cars, in Davenport, IA.
Mr. Whitaker, a graphic artist, was 30 years old at the time. He fabricated
a tow bar, and modified an AMCO rear nerf bar to mount tail lights and turn
signals on. His tow vehicle was a Plymouth Valiant station wagon. It was
white, with blue stripe, and red interior, as the Bugeye.
Mr. Whitaker raced the car from 1959, to 1967. He competed in numerous
events at Road America. many of the tech stickers that still remain on the
car's roll bar today are evidence of those races. He also competed at Wilmot
Hills, Meadowdale, Lawrenceville, and other tracks to the east. When he
retired the car from racing, he used it very sparingly, for short trips
around the neighborhood, or into town.
The odometer registers 19,000 miles, and these are original. In fact, J.P.
reports that more than half of those miles are from flat towing the car to
various races. As it sits today, this car is one of the most original and
unmolested Bugeyes in the world. It's never been restored and other than
what Mr. Whitaker describes as a "disagreement with an Oldsmobile in a
parking lot" (very minor, reflected with a very slight blending of the paint
at the utmost front of the bonnet. the repair is now slightly darker with
age), was never in an accident on track. It's time capsule condition is
quite remarkable, as few street cars survive in this condition, let alone a
race car. Most Sprite race cars were continually "evolving" as rules
changed. The top, tonneau, and side curtains are original, and are barely
used. The side curtains still have their original bags, as does the jack.
The top frame and its leather hold down strap remain in excellent condition.
It still has its original Lucas Headlights. Remarkably, it also still has
its red ribbed rubber floor and door mats.
As far as racing modifications go, Mr. Whitaker went through the engine
twice during the time it raced, as a preventative measure. He claims to have
never DNF'd. The little race windscreen is an accessory wing vent from a "T"
series. The air horns on the carburetors were a "T" series piece as well.
The muffler is from an Excelsior motorcycle, and he'd remove the rear baffle
for race days. The seat belts are Army surplus, and the roll bar was
constructed from well casing. He replaced the early riveted Bugeye rims with
MKII welded rims in 1961. The car still rides on the Michelin X tires, circa
1963. A second tonneau was modified to allow fitting when the roll bar was
mounted. He used a strap to keep the passenger seat from flipping forward
during races.
This car drives as new, and reflects the great care it received from Mr.
Whitaker. He's 77 now, still living in Davenport, and has been a great
source in recounting the history of this special Bugeye. A true "survivor"
car, its stunning original condition, and documented race history make this
humble race car a rarity.
Wm. Severin Thompson
wsthompson@thicko.com
www.thicko.com <http://www.thicko.com/>
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