Following this weekends successful Goodwood campaign the MG Lenham GT known as “SS1800” is coming to the market. The original car was built not only to take on the other Sprites and Midgets of the day but also to challenge the larger capacity cars including Jaguar E-types. The car had many specific modifications, such as telescopic dampers, developed by John Britten and his mechanic Oliver Ball and they built the car to be as light as possible. In the 1966 season Britten netted 14 victories as well as the 1150cc class record at Brands Hatch.
Roll forward to 2007 and with the impetus of Julius Thurgood to revive the under 1500cc Grand Touring cars we set about recreating the legendary car with John Britten and Oliver Ball. We started out with a 1962 MG Midget just like Britten had done decades before. With John and Oliver every detail and modification was recreated accurately. The car was completed in time for Goodwood Revival in 2007 and race there again in 2010 in the Fordwater Trophy with Shaun Rainford bringing it home in 2nd place having lead the race for a number of laps. Shaun also posted the fastest lap at 1:35.591 which still stands to this day. The following year saw the inaugural season of the HRDC. In the opening round at Brands Hatch Shaun Rainford and SS1800 qualified on pole and went on to win the race with a fastest lap of 59.552. Another pole position followed at Silverstone with another podium at Snetterton. Since then and up until the Goodwood’s 75th Members Meeting, SS1800 has done very little work. After receiving the invite, SS1800 was comprehensively rebuilt. The differential was rebuilt with a solid pinion spacer, a brand new Quaife dog engagement gearbox was fitted and the engine was rebuilt. The car is offered for sale in Goodwood trim following a 4th place finish in the Weslake Cup at the 75th Members Meeting. Viewings welcome by appointment. Any queries please contact Daniel. £POA
