Estimated Price: £50,000 - £60,000

The British special-building tradition has produced some wonderfully characterful sports cars, often through the ingenuity of enthusiasts seeking to improve an established design. WSM belongs firmly within that tradition. Developed by Douglas Wilson-Spratt and Jim McManus in the early 1960s, its special-bodied Sprites reflected a straightforward ambition: to improve both function and form, creating lightweight cars suited to enjoyment on the road and competition on the circuit.

The first WSM Sprite appeared in 1962, establishing a distinctive interpretation of the compact British sports car. Decades later, the idea was revisited by Douglas’s son, Anthony ‘Tony’ Wilson-Spratt, and Healey specialist Paul Woolmer. Their association brought a direct family connection to the early cars together with considerable experience of preparing and racing Sprites.

The resulting Series 2 programme offered GT and Sprint versions, allowing the WSM concept to develop for both road and competition use. Douglas approved the proposal to build further cars in 2008, retaining his insistence that WSMs should be supplied as professionally constructed cars or fitted bodyshells rather than self-build kits. It was an approach intended to maintain control over the quality of cars bearing the family name.

Offered here is a Series 2 GT, described as a 1977/2008 example and finished in blue with contrasting tan leather upholstery. Its specification develops the WSM theme through the use of an MG F-derived four-cylinder engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, combining the appearance of a classic competition-inspired coupé with a later powertrain.

This mechanical combination is central to the car’s appeal. The supplied account describes an enthusiastic, free-revving delivery, brisk acceleration and a purposeful exhaust note. Whilst no verified power output or measured performance figures have been provided, the driving impressions convey a car with plenty of character and a more sporting disposition than its compact proportions might initially suggest.

The cabin adds another dimension. Rather than adopting the sparse finish of a dedicated competition car, this GT features tan leather trimming, providing a welcoming contrast to its blue exterior. The supplied description particularly praises the standard of the interior and the care evident in the car’s construction. It is an interpretation that allows the WSM’s sporting origins to remain evident whilst making provision for road-going comfort.

At the time of cataloguing, the car indicated 2,773 miles. It's described as presenting in excellent condition, with the previous driving account also commenting favourably on its assembly and road manners. Its combination of compact coupé styling, a five-speed manual gearbox and later four-cylinder power should appeal to an enthusiast who enjoys an active role behind the wheel.

The Series 2 GT offers a particularly interesting route into WSM ownership, linking the original concept to a later programme involving the founder’s family. Finished in an appealing blue and tan combination, this example brings together distinctive looks, a carefully trimmed cabin and an engaging mechanical specification. For those seeking something beyond the more familiar British sports cars, it represents an opportunity to explore a small but fascinating chapter of the Sprite story.