1962 MG Midget Mark 1

1962 WSM MG Midget Alloy Coupe Race Car

Offered from our private family collection.

History

The WSM brand was the brain child of Douglas Wilson-Spratt & Jim McManus.

The pair had the idea to build an alloy coupe with completely different bodywork to maximise the passenger compartment space and to fit Douglas.

From Douglas design, Robert Peel Sheet Metal Works, built the first WSM, body number 201. This car is not known to have survived.

At Silverstone in early 1962, there was considerable interest in this new alloy coupe Sprite. The pair had no plans to build further cars, but enough enquiries were received for WSM Cars Ltd to be founded.

Eight WSM Sprites & one MG Midget were built. Built to order, some as lightweight ‘Sprint’ race cars & some as ‘GT’ road cars.

The Car

XPP is the oldest surviving WSM, body number 202, the second WSM built & the only MG Midget based car. It is the most historic & successful surviving WSM.

Mike Lewis acquired 793 XPP from Alexander Engineering in 1962 as a standard road car for conversion to a ‘Sprint’ specification WSM race car painted Tartan Red. Mike was dating Douglas’s daughter Laura at the time, they later married. Both Mike & Laura competed in XPP, in circuit races, sprints & hill climbs from 1963 until 1965 including Silverstone & Crystal Palace with much success.

Mike sold the car in 1966 to Robin Pinkerton, who worked at Delta as sales manager.

Acquired by Robbie Gordon in 1969. Robbie collected ex-works British sports cars, mainly Austin Healeys. He also traded in Italian cars, mainly Ferraris.

The next known owner is Rod Brisby of Dumfries, who acquired XPP in the late 1970’s as a scruffy old race car & partially stripped it for a restoration, which never happened.

Paul tracked XPP down & persuaded Rod Brisby to sell it. The restoration started in 1999 & was completed in 2001 in time to celebrate Douglas’s 80th birthday at Rockingham in July. XPP took a class win, which delighted Douglas.

Paul continued to race the car including Goodwood Revival in 2003, until it had to be sold to fund the purchase of another alloy bodied Sprite 46 BXN.

Sold to Jim Lowry, of Equipe GTS, RAC Scrutineer & FIA Inspector. Jim raced XPP in Equipe & at Goodwood Revival in 2006. Sold to John Pearson in 2008 & raced in Equipe GTS. Acquired by Brian Arculus in 2010, Brian continued to race in Equipe & again at Goodwood Revival in 2010 before selling it to Graham Robson in 2014. In Graham’s ownership XPP returned to Woolmer Classic Engineering. The engine & drive train were refreshed & Graham raced the car in a number of events including the Goodwood Members Meeting in 2015.

Sold to Peter Kappeler of Switzerland in 2017, Peter raced XPP in the Equipe Classic Racing series, before selling it back to the Woolmer family in early 2022.

Paul drove XPP in the 2022 Members Meeting, Weslake Cup. Since then the car has been used for several demonstrations & has recently been on display in the Silverstone Museum for 8 months. The museum wanted the car because of its early history of racing at Silverstone.

Specification

Chassis & Body

Original MG Midget. With original chassis plate.

Original aluminium body, doors & boot lid. Original fibreglass bonnet. With original WSM body plate. Painted Tartan Red.

Engine

Full race Woolmer Classic 1293cc, capacity checked & sealed.

Carburation

Correct period single Weber 45 DCOE – 9

Exhaust

Full race Maniflow system

Transmission

Gearbox, rebuilt straight cut close ratio with less than 8 hours running.

Differential, rebuilt plate type LSD with less than 8 hours running,

Half shafts, Peter May race shafts,

Radiator

Original unit with high capacity core & electric fan.

Suspension

Front - 600lb springs, race spec. dampers, Peter May negative camber top trunions

Rear - Original ¼ elliptic springs & radius arms, with original adjustable dampers.

50 ltr ATL Laboratories fuel cell

Brakes

Standard Sprite/ Midget discs & drums, with original works Sebring pedal box.

Wheels & Tyres

Original spec 4” wire wheels with used Dunlop Racing tyres.

Roll Cage

Manufactured by Fabricage Ltd to FIA Specification

Interior

FIA Cobra Imola Pro-Fit.

TRS FHR harness.

Lifeline extinguisher will be serviced before collection.

Overall weight – 640kg with all fluids & 10 ltrs fuel.

This is a great opportunity to acquire a well-known & historic MG, which is elligible for many of the best events in UK & Europe.

We are British sports car specialists with over 40 years experience. We can offer a full range of preparation services. We also offer event support packages to prepare, transport & run this car for you.

Call Paul to discuss the car in more detail or to arrange a viewing.