What body type? Lenham? Sebring?

[Alex_de_Jong]

Dear all!

Who can help me in finding information about this Sprite coupe, Lenham? At this moment the car belongs to my family and is waiting for more information about her history. In general the car is in quite good shape although it did not run over the last 8 years, but with some work to do it will drive again shortly.

The history as known at this moment is as follows:
The car was registered in the UK in 1959, last known licence plate is 5080KC.
The car is now registered in the Netherlands, since 21st of August 1992, licence plate DH-23-64.
Chassis s/n: AN515232
Engine s/n: 12CE-D -H 6636
RHD

Who can answer the following questions:
- What kind of body is it?
- What manufacturer? Is there a kind of type plate somewhere on the body?
- It looks like that the body has been build just after the production of the “chassis”. How can I check this on the car?
- Are there any other cars known with the same body? If yes, does anyone have pictures available?
- Are there any technical items I can check? The suspension on the rear axle is for example different.

I am very interested to get in contact with people who can help me in finding the history of this car!

For questions do not hesitate to contact me. Plenty of pictures are available!

Alex

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

Another picture!

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

And a 3rd picture.

 

[jlaird]

Standby, some experts on these will be along. Is only 3 in the afternoon here..

https://tokyo.craigslist.org/car/222858255.html

https://spritemidget.free.fr/galeries/cadre.html

 

[Baz]

That is beautiful.
I'm speechless.
More pics please?

 

[jlaird]

Well it has a sebring front end, but from the rust is not an alloy body? Look at the rear wheel flairs? Does not look like a Lenham though.

Where is Jollyroger when we need him, he is the only one I know of that had two and could tell for sure.

 

[Baz]

Nial should be along soon too, he knows this stuff. The absence of rear quarter windows rules out a Lenham I think, beauty of a coupe.

 

[jlaird]

Kind of makes ya wonder, look the rear clip is a bit of a different color than the doors.

Not sebring wheels and the tires too small as well.

Front parking lights wrong for sebring, and there are no clips to hold down the bonet.

Also look at drip edge over door?

 

[Hap Waldrop]

The wheels are Revolutions.

 

[aeronca65t]

Yeah, it's a lovely-looking car.
Alex also asked this on the big Healey part of BCF and I answered him there (and told him to ask here as well).
I might *guess* that is is a one-off body with a Sebring nose....not really sure. But very nice just the same.
Alex: Do you know any other history on it?

 

[jlaird]

Please, please let me find one like that.

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

Hey,

thanks for quick reply! Enclosed some additional pictures.
The rear end is the same colour, looks different on the picture because the door is a bit open.
Suspension (see picture) is in my opinion changed and not original, road clearance is higher. This because of problems when driving on the public road (in my country our politicians try to lower the speed by placing "hills" on the road...).

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

You are all to fast for me. During writing of my last post already 3 more answers...
History is not known very well. For sure I know that around 1985 a English driver has been racing frequently in the UK. Proof for this are a lot of labels which are still in the car.
When the car came to the Netherlands they have changed mainly the suspension (as they have told me). Goal was to drive some rally's (have a look at the tires), I assume they have done some.
I have photographed the car as I found it. So we have only washed the exterior, some more work to do in the interior.
Again a picture, now of the back end of the car.

So to find out more about the car and history I have started posting here!

And yes it is a beautyful looking car, I am sure it will drive fast too when everything has been checked!

 

[jlaird]

Rear end looks stock but for all the holes to reduce the weight.

I think it needs a complete tear down and a nut and bolt restoration. I'll be glad to do that, just get it here. lol

How about the engine?

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

What do you mean with "the rear end looks stock"?
The extra holes are of the old english plates.
Engine picture is enclosed!

 

[jlaird]

1275 engine, 948 body.

Yes the parts are all stock but for the added holes in the rear.

 

[Bugeye58]

I really like the Monza "quick fill" oil cap! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Jeff

 

[Westfield_XI]

Alex, Jack means that the rear axle looks stock except for the holes drilled in it.

 

[Alex_de_Jong]

Anyone ever seen this modification of the rear axle?
Has it something to do with the ground clearance?

Untill today I have seen a lot of pictures of other cars but no one with the same rear end body! Anyone else seen this rear end before?

Jack: restoration is interesting but there is some serious distance between your and my place...

 

[GB1]

The rear end looks the same, but it appears that holes were drilled into it to reduce the weight.

Patrick