Owners, Drivers & Friends

The People

The owners, drivers and friends who have shaped the WSM story since 1962.

Arculus, Brian & Pat

Purchased WSM 202 from John Pearson in September 2008. Racers both — Brian started in 1985 with a Jaguar XK120, Alfa Giulietta GT Sprint and then a March 712 in

Arkless, Simon

Bought WSM 206 from Mike Lewis in 1964 and proved to be a very capable driver at circuits around the UK. The car was later changed back to road specification

Baggott, John

Ex-Sprite racer, author and freelance writer. WSM sections in his books Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites and MGB The Racing Story were produced with first-hand knowledge. Also authored Frogeye Sprite

Bain, Kent

Prepared and drove WSM 207 in Sports Car Club of America races for Walter Donaghy in Connecticut, USA. Vintage Racing Services restored the car in 1987 after storage since 1968,

Barrett, Tim

Bought WSM 201 from Delta Garage in 1964. The car is pictured prior to collection from Vicarage Lodge in Wing, before removal of the cherished DWS 97 number which remained

Brisby, Rod

Owned WSM 202 in Scotland. Sent his bonnet over on a fishing boat to the Isle of Man when WSM 301 needed a mould for a new front in 1981.

Browning, Peter

Ran the BMC Competitions Department after Stuart Turner moved to Castrol in 1967. MGCC competitions secretary for many years.

Chichester, Dr Clinton O.

Together with Dr George Snively, commissioned WSM 203 for export to San Francisco. Also imported WSM 210 to Florida in August 1964. Established WSM America Ltd with representation in New

Cocks, Clive

Long-term owner of WSM 210. Took the car on the Le Jog — the five-day, 2,400-mile Land’s End to John O’Groats trek — achieving 2nd in class. Also competed at

Coulthard, Tom

Actor, author and Sprite historian who helped instigate the WSM revival by bringing 46 BXN, WSM 301 and WSM 210 together at the Silverstone Coys Historic Festival in 1995. Co-author

Critten, Adrian

Isle of Man based restorer who fixed the fibreglass bonnet on WSM 301 after Brands Hatch 1998.

Dawson, Ian

Photographer at Wing 2004 for Octane magazine. Produced some of the best WSM pictures to date, including the headline shot from outside Delta House.

Donaghy, Walter

Of Bluemont, Virginia, USA. Bought WSM 207 from Fred Glaesner in 1966. The car was stored from 1968 and extensively restored in 1986/87 by Vintage Racing Services. Sold to Rae

Emerson, Bill

Ex-NASA engineer, Florida resident, car collector and author of the definitive Healey book featuring the WSM marque in detail. Met Douglas at Thruxton in 2002.

Fuertado, Roy

Mechanic at Delta Garage in the early 1960s. Contributed to the WSM Re-Union in 2001 and the Wing photoshoot in 2004.

Gathercole, David

Drove an inspired race in WSM 301 at the 2003 Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy, reaching fourth place before an enforced pitstop. Recorded fourth fastest lap of the race. Previously raced

Glaesner, Fred

Charleston, USA resident who bought WSM 207 in 1965 from Joel Nelson. Raced in SCCA events including Sebring. Sold to Walter Donaghy in 1966.

Gordon, Robbie

Owned 113 DJB, a quick MGB roadster prepared by Newton of Cambridge. After race damage, the chassis became the basis for the WSM MGB.

Gough, Owen

Mechanic at Delta Garage in 1960/61. Involved in building the Sebring Sprite registered DWS 97 for the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally, which he accompanied as mechanic.

Greenwood, Barry

Friend to Douglas, fellow aviator and Manx resident who financed production of the WSM re-union video in 2001. Passed away in 2010.

Grubb, Ben

Bought the WSM MGB in 1968. Married in 1969 and traded the WSM back to Mike Lewis for a BMW 2002ti.

Grundey, Eric

MG specialist whose Octagon workshop serviced WSM 301 and the WSM MGB. Lent WSM 301 a radiator at the 1996 Manx Classic.

Guest, Ian

Stepped up from E-Types to WSMs when piloting WSM 207 at the 2003 Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy.

Gurney, Ivor

Mechanic at Delta Garage in the early 1960s. Great help in organising WSM Re-Union events.

Halsall, Ray

Fabricated the two ultra-lightweight WSMs (205 and 206) in 1963. Recalls how lightweight the construction was, down to rice paper thickness for non-structural parts. Attended Coys 1995 and Wing 2004.

Hands, David

Owned a red WSM circa 1965–1968 while operating a garage business in Bedfordshire. Believed to have been WSM 205.

Hata, Takayuki

Bought WSM 203 from Hayes Harris of Florida in 1997. Restored by Ecosse Cars of Tokyo, then sold to Masakazu Yahagi in 2003.

Hill, Geoff

Owner of WSM 405 — the first WSM to be fitted with a K-series engine, ordered in 2011. Hill campaigned the car in hill climbs at Harewood and Bo’Ness, achieving

Hodsman, Dr Anthony

Bought WSM 301 from Dr Churton Pauli in 1971. An engine fire wrecked the bonnet and screen while his wife was driving home. Sold to Peter Clinch in 1972.

Holland, Richard

Owns the Bentley registered UC 1940 that received the DW-S lightweight treatment in 1949.

Hulett, Ian

Sprite compadre who, with Murray Henderson, began construction of the first S2 WSM — WSM 401. The floor pan took shape and the H frame was welded. Hulett also competed

Hull, Douglas

Wartime aviator and garagiste who commissioned the WSM Jaguar XK150S estate conversion in 1967. Raced an ERA and flew Gypsy Moth aircraft.

Hull, Paul

Recalls visits to the Camden Motors sportscar showroom in the 1960s. Brother Andrew bought a Mk 1 Sprite which later received Lenham bodywork.

Jackson, Peter

Joined Delta Garage in 1961 to run the forecourt and workshop. Raced WSM 201 with great success, including 3rd in class in the German Grand Prix support race at Nürburgring

Janssen, Peter

Owned the Jaguar XK150S re-bodied by DW-S. Purchased from Martin Staverman in 1997, completing an extensive restoration in 2003.

Jefferson, Josie

Worked in the Delta Garage office in the early 1960s. Came to the Rockingham Re-Union in 2001 and the Wing photoshoot in 2004.

Jenkins, Chris

Owned the WSM MGB in 1973, used as a road car before Peter Filby sold it on.

Jones, Trevor

Drove the WSM MGB during his time at Lenham Motors. Established that the WSM MG1300 survives in Devon.

Kappeller, Peter

Swiss owner of WSM 202, having acquired the car from Brian Arculus. Peter campaigned WSM 202 at Equipe GTS events including Brands Hatch 2018, coming to grips with circuits new

Langton, Amanda

Made her race debut in the WSM MGB, winning the Best Newcomer award and the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club award in 1984. Moved to Formula Junior in 1985.

Lewis, Mike

WSM 202 went to Douglas’s son-in-law Mike Lewis, who campaigned it in races and hill-climbs in 1963 to many wins. Also drove WSM 206 (the ultra-lightweight fibreglass car). His daughter

Lewis, Simon

Son of Michael and Laura, grandson to DW-S. Excelled in karting, rallying and sprinting. Pictured in a Cooper S at the Manx Classic 1994 sporting the DW-S eagle motif.

Lowry, Jim

MG race car preparer, restorer and FIA approved examiner. Organising member of the MGTeam / Equipe GTS series. Briefly owned WSM 202.

Marks, John

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

McManus, Jim & Peggy

Jim joined the Delta Garage business in 1963 after having worked at the Donald Healey Motor Company in London for seven years. An acknowledged expert in driving tests and a

Miles, John

Son of Sir Bernard Miles. Worked at Delta Garage for a short while in the 1960s through his connection with Peter Jackson. Racked up 9 successive wins in an Elan

Miller, Ivor

Races an Austin A40 and Lotus Cortina in the HRDC Touring Greats series. Regular Goodwood Revival driver. In 2006 and 2010 raced WSM 207 in the Fordwater Trophy.

Moore, David

Helped find the WSM 3000 in 2003 after a five-year search.

Noble-Thompson, Lorraine

Owner of WSM 402 GT. Competed at Bo’Ness Hill Climb in the Saloons & Sports Cars 1961–1973 class. Contributed to the Austin-Healey USA magazine feature on WSM Cars in 2015.

North, Mike

Editor of MASCOT, the Midget and Sprite Club website. Helped with information appeals.

Parker, Chris and Mavis

Aviators, MG club members and friends of DW-S through Sywell aerodrome. Attended the Rockingham Re-Union, Wing photoshoot, and Goodwood Revivals.

Pauli, Dr Churton

Bought WSM 301 in 1970 from brother-in-law Michael Royde. Sold to Dr Anthony Hodsman in 1971.

Pinkerton, Robin

Delta Garage sales manager in the 1960s. Owned WSM 202 briefly, and the WSM MGB in 1969.

Radnofsky, Stuart

Bought Sebring Sprite 46 BXN from Richard Higgins in 1986, restoring and repainting from red to yellow. Raced at the 1990 Christies Historic at Silverstone. Sold BXN to Mick Darcey

Roberts, Andrew

Freelance writer and MG fan. Compiled the comprehensive Sixties Survivors article in the October 2004 issue of Octane magazine.

Robson, Graham

Campaigned WSM 202 at Goodwood Members Meeting events. Invited to compete in the Les Leston Trophy for British sports production cars 1960–1966 at the 2015 Goodwood Members Meeting.

Rooke, Clive

Owned WSM 201, registered 991 KNM, in 1967. Traded in a Frogeye with Peter Jackson at Delta Garage. Traded back for a Mini Cooper after the birth of son Jonathan.

Royde, Michael

Bought WSM 301 in 1966 from Delta Garage. Competed in circuit racing at Castle Combe 1967. Painted Ochre Yellow and sold in 1970 to finance a Morgan.

Savarino, Dr Michael John

With Dr George Snively, bought WSM 204 in 1963 for export to San Francisco. Advertised a WSM in Road and Track in 1964.

Sidery-Smith, Barry

Bought the WSM MGB in 1975. Used his Le Mans engine in the 1976 Brighton Speed Trials. Contributed to the WSM Re-Union video in 2001.

Sprinzel, John

Famous for the 1950s Speedwell tuning operation and his Sebring Sprites. British Rally Champion 1958. Attended the 2006 Goodwood Revival from Hawaii, meeting former racing buddies Peter Jackson, Cyril Simpson

Stone, Mark Harwood

Freelance motoring and motorsport correspondent. Toured the Willaston course with Mike Lewis in the WSM MGB during the 1999 Manx Classic.

Sunderland, Katherine

Sprite racer from 1997, now in South Africa. Her blue and yellow Frogeye had great scraps with WSM 301 in the Healey championship.

Tolhurst, Josie

Husband Rodney bought the WSM MGB in April 1981. Josie raced in HSCC events at Brands Hatch 1981. Sold to Stephen Langton in 1983.

Viney, Bill

Bought WSM 205 from Delta Garages in 1965 and traded back later the same year.

Waterhouse, Robert

Owner of WSM 3000. Won the Bespoke class at the London Concours at the Honourable Artillery Company in June 2023. The WSM 3000 was also displayed at the Concours of

Waterworth, Tom

Raced WSM 301 at Mallory and Donington in the 1999 Austin Healey championship and at the WSM Re-Union in 2001.

Welsh, Peter

Bought the WSM 3000 from Mike Levey in 1967. Used on road and stage rallying until the late 1970s. Stored in Gloucestershire until auctioned in March 2011.

Whistlecroft, Dennis

Drove the WSM MGB with Barry Sidery-Smith. Put the car into the armco at Silverstone in November 1976.

White, Mike

Club racer for whom one of the two ultra-lightweight fibreglass bodies was built — WSM 205 (WSM 206 was Douglas’s own car). Competed alongside DW-S at circuits around the UK.

Williams, Barrie ‘Whizzo’

Long-time acquaintance of DW-S. As guest driver, qualified WSM 301 in a remarkable fourth place at the BRDC Summer 500 at Silverstone in July 2004. Regular feature at the Goodwood

Wilmart, Christophe

Organised the popular Equipe GTS race series. Quality grids at Montlhery, Brands, Dijon, Oulton, Le Mans, Zolder, Zandvoort and Spa.

Wilson-Spratt, Anthony (Tony)

Son of Douglas Wilson-Spratt and current keeper of the WSM Cars legacy. Has owned a WSM for over 35 years. In early 2000, Tony and his father decided to build

Wilson-Spratt, Claire

Daughter-in-law to Douglas. Without her unstinting support and enthusiasm the WSM operation could not function.

Wilson-Spratt, Douglas

Co-founder of WSM Cars. Born 16th June 1921 — died 12th April 2011. Designer, engineer, racer, and visionary. See the dedicated tribute page for the full story of a remarkable

Wilson, Ian

Professional photographer and official for the Top Hat / Masters race series. Shot the evocative Goodwood Revival 2003 assembly area photograph of four WSM snouts.

Woolmer, Paul

Close associate with extensive technical knowledge of the Healey marque dating back 36 years. Met Anthony Wilson-Spratt at the 1995 Coys Historic where Paul was racing ‘BXN’, the first Sprite

Yahagi, Masakazu

Bought WSM 203 from Takayuki Hata in 2003. Campaigns Marcos Gullwing GTs and 1964 MGB alongside WSM 203 in historic racing.