On the 18th June 2026 CSI was invited to a preview of the British Motor Museum’s latest bespoke exhibition – ‘Spoiler Alert’ which celebrates the U.K.’s “Hot Hatch” era of the 1980s onward. You can find a link to my report on the exhibition at the bottom of the page.
The Spoiler Alert Exhibition is set up in the BMM’s Rubery Owen suite, a room just off the the main display area. As I was standing talking to BMM staff at the entrance of the Rubery Owen suite my eye was caught by the rear view of a small, race prepared, sports coupe. As I got closer I could see the Lenham badge and realised it was either an Austin Healey Sprite or an MG Midget based Le Mans model.
This what the display board say about this car –
“ The Austin Healey Sprite was a small open sports car that launched in 1958.In it earliest form it had a famous ‘frogeye’ bonnet and a 948cc BMC ‘A’ series engine from the Austin A35. A badge engineered equivalent from MG called a Midget appeared in 1961 and was produced until 1980. The two models are basically the same and are referred to by the name “Spridget”.
The Lenham Motor Company was formed in 1970 from the embers of various other motoring enterprises. The firm specialised in producing glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) body kits to streamline Spridgets into a car more suited to fast road or competition use. Three kit options were produced the most popular being the fast back closed version called the Le Mans Coupe. That is the version that is on display and was owned by the late Terry Brown; extensively modified and campaigned by him for nearly half a century.
Apart from the usual racing necessities of an electrical “kill” button, fire extinguisher and racing seat with full safety harness, it has been treated to major engine modifications. It has Kent Engine Developments DOHC 16 valve alloy head with fuel injection on a Mini Cooper ‘S’ block bored and stroked to just under 1400 cc. coupled to a five speed gearbox. With an estimated 200 bhp this very light car has a formidable performance.”
You might enjoy watching this video which features a Leanham Le Mans Coupe but without the extensive modifications of Terry Brown’s car.
Here is the link to the ‘Spoiler Alert’ post-
This was in my “in box” today and I thought you might like it. Personally, I like the music as much as the cars. Belle belle!
Nick
Note –
CSI has no contractual relationship with the British Motor Museum or any of its sponsors or commercial supporters.
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