John Sprinzel was an all round Sprite gentleman. He was involved with racing, ralling, tuning, selling and authoring with Austin Healey Sprites.
John started racing an Austin A35 with much success. This lead to the formation of Speedwell in 1957, a tuning company that sold go-fast parts for Austin A35’s and Morris Minors. They also developed the Speedwell GT , a coupe version of the Austin Healey Sprite. John drove a number of vehicles for various manufacturer, including BMC and the Donald Healey Motor Corporation.
John sold off his share of Speedwell to Graham Hill and joined the Donald Healey Motor Company as Manager of “Special Equipment” ~ modifying Sprites for race, rally and for fast-road use. After a few years, this part of the Healey business closed and John set up his own business, John Sprinzel Racing, in Lancachester Mews in London.
Here he would sell Austin Healeys, Sprites and assorted vehicles. Many people joined John at the business, including Australian Paul Hawkins. Liaising with a number of specialist companies, they developed the very pretty and successful Sebring Sprite Coupé.
These vehicles were very successful in all forms of motor sport and raced at circuits all over Britain, Europe and at Sebring in the USA. Here they were driven by noted drivers Stirling Moss and his sister Pat.
John then went on to drive other vehicles for various manufacturers. John was also an author, writing many books on rallying, racing and vehicle modifications.
John’s last foray into International motor sport was to drive a MG Midget in the 1968 London to Sydney rally. On the final leg of the rally from Broken Hill he was in the Top 10 and was the leading privateer. Unfortunately a broken stub axle caused the Midget to lose valuable time, causing the Midget to be retired from the event.
John moved to various countries, finally settling in the Hawaiian Island of Molokai, with wife Carly. Here he continued his interest in windsurfing and owned a Bugeye Sprite, wearing his signature number plate PMO-200.
John passed away peacefully aged 90 years last week.
Our thought are with Carly and the Austin Healey community at this time.
