Description
This stunning WSM S2 is chassis number WSM 405 and is finished in Blue Metallic with Tan Full Leather. The car was originally built for Geoff Hill in 2012/ 13 who also had a WSM in the 1960's. The spec required meant it is the fastest WSM to date with circa 180bhp on tap for 630kgs.
The WSM Sprint is specifically designed to keep weight to an absolute minimum with competition as its primary objective. The list below covers items specified in steel, but replaced with aluminium alloy : Front wheel arches, front bulkhead, drivers and passengers footwell, outer side and top panel, footwell floors, rear inner wheel arches, boot floor (not including the hump).
In 1961 Douglas Wilson-Spratt designed an aerodynamic sports coupe based on the Austin-Healey Sprite that served as an effective road and racing car. As in period, it became apparent there was a demand to be satisfied - the profile of WSM has risen, and since the appearance of two cars at the 1995 Coys Historic at Silverstone, it is no secret that the value of the original cars has increased. Ten of the fourteen original cars built survive today, and displays at events such as the WSM Rockingham Re-Union in 2001, Healey 50th in 2002, Healey International in 2004 and Sprite 50th in 2008 featured WSM's and contributed to the resurgance.
The first WSM company was set up by Douglas and Jim McManus at Delta Garage in 1963, and similarly two friends have combined forces in Bedfordshire to form WSM Cars LLP in 2010. Paul Woolmer has a close association and extensive technical knowledge with the Healey marque dating back 36 years, and Douglas's son Anthony has owned a WSM for 35 years. They met at the 1995 Coys Historic where Paul was racing 'BXN', the first Sprite to be influenced by WSM design. Paul owned and restored WSM 202, and the ex-John Sprinzel Sebring Sprite 'PMO 200'. He then purchased 'BXN' and encouraged the return of Anthony's road car WSM 301 to racing trim. The subsequent friendship was established around an appreciation of historic cars and the enjoyment that can be attained in their use on road and track.
The S2 cars follow the original production number manifest, and every car is designated a WSM chassis plate and a WSM build number on completion. The bodies are constructed in fibreglass and are direct descendants from WSM 203 in 1963 - the original mould having been taken from 203 to form the two lightweight fibreglass racers 205 and 206, and the final hands-on build by Douglas, WSM 208. All S2 cars are supplied with an integral roll bar, a measure that Douglas considered a necessity despite having raced open Bentleys with no more protection than a cloth cap and overalls. The 'GT' is prepared as a road car, while the 'Sprint' with spaceframe construction is aimed at competition use.
Number plate not included in the sale
