At the last General Meeting, President Grant Stephenson outlined the need for more articles and information for both the Web Site and the Sprouting Forth Magazine. He asked for members to provide a few words about their cars, their interests – other than cars, or any other general information.
Like all great leaders who lead by example, President Grant has written an article on his car ownership history, and has set the challenge for others to write an article or two – please contact the Committee or send your articles to admin@spriteclub.com.au
In January 1979 I started as an apprentice gas fitter with the SAGASCO. My daily transport was a TC Morris Marina. I always had an interest in British cars and was keen on a sports car. After looking at MGBs, Spitfires, Triumphs, I settled on the best I found, a MK 1 Sprite. It was only 20 yrs old and such a mess, incorrect motor, rusted sills, bent bonnet, no brakes but it was mine for $3000.
My father and I spent every spare moment for 12 months rebuilding it . No pre made panel’s back then, we had to make our own. By December 1979 it was finished and I joined the Sprite Club. Yes 46 years ago the club was only 7yrs old then. Very social / competition weekends away and tennis matches on Tuesday nights with a BBQ after at the Bowering’s.
Can you imagine 30 to 40 people sleeping in a sheering shed for a inter club motorkhana weekend at Bordertown. There are not too many members [ including me ] that would throw their Sprites around in the dirt any more. Since then the only committee position I have not held is Treasurer.
By 1982 I was looking for a new project, I had my eye on my mates Purple V6 Capri. Finally it was up for sale, blown motor and all, but that didn’t matter it was mine . Yes another English car once again my father and I rebuilt the motor in the shed. I learnt very quickly that that the Capri horse power difference between the Sprite was huge. So with all this power I was up for some Mallala and AIR sprints and dirt motorkhana’s. So I was happy for the moment .
Then another mate was running a MK1 Escort at the Southern Districts Car Club mud sprints. Three of us would flog this poor little car but it did not stop even with a clutch / bell housing full of mud. A garden hose on full to wash out the mud and we were off again. You guessed it, it was soon up for sale so I did what any petrol head would to I bought it.
Yes another English car. I continued with the mud sprints for a while, but Mallala was calling me. After years of mud sprints I had to wash all that mud out so I could work on it without a face full of mud. I progressed from sprints to Improved Production for about 10 years with a big dollar 1600 motor and had the best time and once again just flogged the little car so much including Legends Of The Lakes hill climb. One engine explosion and several dents, a Mini in the drivers door and an EH in the rear. But that’s racing they say.
Things started to slow down for a while when I started my business. But you never know what is just around the corner. I was offered a MK2 Escort RS2000 one owner, but in a thousand bits. You guessed it another English car. It’s been sitting on the hoist for about 10 yrs waiting for me to retire and spend my days rebuilding another car. Yes it will be completed and on the road, it has to be for my mate’s sake.
So that makes 5 English cars.
Is it enough. Well probably yes, but you never know.
Grant Stephenson
