Lenham and me
BY PERRY SHAW / EDITED BY MARK KHOO
A MAD IDEA
In November 2024 I had a mad, spontaneous idea of buying a car that I could eventually race at the Le Mans Classic before knowing the costs involved which on a privateer’s budget are eyewatering.
I’d already owned a standard 1972 MG Midget and had begun the process of transforming this into a race car. But before I had made too much progress, I thought it would be easier to just buy one already built.
Whilst looking at Sebring Sprites, I came across a 1967 Lenham Le Mans Coupe – a Spridget (Austin-Healey Sprite and MG Midget) based car conversion.
And not just any of the sixty produced. This was the last car bodied by Lenham before they sold off the Lenham name and moulds.
It was previously internationally rallied by Gordon Howie whereafter Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams developed it for circuit racing.
The next owner was Ian Burford with much success in historic competitions.
Which such provenance and having founded and run the LMC Drivers Club for many years with my brother Danny, I was drawn to this car for obvious reasons. I inevitably purchased her in November 2024.
THE MONEY BLACK HOLE
2025 saw me going through a divorce and moving home. Along with the sourcing and funding of all of the many parts that needed updating, my progress was delayed significantly.
I spent the twelve months and great expense getting ‘The Old Girl’ up to scratch for my first competitive race. And that wasn’t even the end of it.
After the Lenham, I fell further down the racing rabbit hole and acquired a trailer for the race car and had a van converted into a camper to be suitably equipped for weekends of racing at circuits around the country and beyond.
OFF TO THE RACES?
Now fully kitted-up, I convinced motoring journalist, historian and broadcaster Guy Loveridge to lend his 33 years of racing experience (and bottom) on the co-driver’s seat.
My friends at Team Langoustine where the LMC Drivers Club are hosted for our annual get together whilst at the Le Mans Classic provided some sponsorship.
We were planning on my first competitive race at Castle Combe in the last race of the Classic Sports Car Club Adam & Page Swinging Sixties series on 17th October but had to pull out after a rolling road test at Peter Burgess highlighted a lack of power. This resulted in an engine re-build with a new camshaft and not enough time to get the car ready to race.
ATTEMPTING RE-ENTRY
As my racing friend Andrew quipped, racing your own classic car is 98% frustration, 2% absolutely amazing enjoyment.
So in for a penny I’m doubling down on this project. Once the engine is rebuilt, the twin SU carburetors will be replaced with a Webber 45 and the Lenham Le Mans Coupe will be entered into the 2027 CSCC Swinging Sixties and CSCC Lackford Midget and Sprite Challenge series.
The moral of the story? If you’re thinking of going classic car racing think it through and don’t just go out and buy a race car like I did.
It’s been a long winding road but that said, one I’m glad I took.
The Le Mans Classic Heritage 2029? Never say never.
ABOUT THE LMC DRIVERS CLUB:
ABOUT THE LENHAM LE MANS COUPE
https://www.historicsportscarcollection.co.uk/carsforsale/1967-lenham-le-mans-coup%C3%A9