In the golden age of club racing, one car set the tone for what a lightweight British sports car could achieve — the SS1800.
Built by John Britten, this modified Midget was engineered with simplicity, speed, and ingenuity. The suspension was refined, front brakes reverted to original Midget discs, and a self-built roll bar was fashioned from two Midget exhaust systems — a budget solution that delivered just the right geometry for safety and strength.
Powered by a 4.5 Morris 1000 diff, the SS1800 screamed to over 120 mph at 8,000 rpm — a serious feat for its class.
Dominance on the Track
Only two months after a difficult outing at Mallory Park, the SS1800 returned stronger than ever. On July 10th at Brands Hatch, Britten led from flag to finish in the MG Car Club race for Sprites and Midgets, defeating pole-sitter David Corderoy.
Two weeks later, he struck again at Castle Combe, lapping fastest and finishing a commanding 15 seconds ahead of Alan Woode, one of the category’s most established names.
By the end of that debut season — despite only entering half the calendar — Britten had secured:
Innovation Meets Regulation
In 1967, new ‘Marque Sports’ regulations demanded that cars retain a standard silhouette. The SS1800’s bodywork no longer qualified — so Britten turned to the Lenham Motor Company for a solution.
Lenham produced a custom one-piece glass fibre rear end shaped to resemble a factory Midget, ensuring the car remained legal while retaining its aerodynamic edge.
The image above captures SS1800 at Lydden, awaiting its next race before those regulations changed the game.
Legacy Lives On
The SS1800 didn’t just win races — it inspired a new era of Sprite-based racing GTs. The ingenuity, weight consciousness, and competitive edge laid the groundwork for what would become Lenham GT legend — a lineage that continues in the spirit of YFY 467 today.
Source: Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites by John Baggott
Built by John Britten, this modified Midget was engineered with simplicity, speed, and ingenuity. The suspension was refined, front brakes reverted to original Midget discs, and a self-built roll bar was fashioned from two Midget exhaust systems — a budget solution that delivered just the right geometry for safety and strength.
Powered by a 4.5 Morris 1000 diff, the SS1800 screamed to over 120 mph at 8,000 rpm — a serious feat for its class.
Dominance on the Track
Only two months after a difficult outing at Mallory Park, the SS1800 returned stronger than ever. On July 10th at Brands Hatch, Britten led from flag to finish in the MG Car Club race for Sprites and Midgets, defeating pole-sitter David Corderoy.
Two weeks later, he struck again at Castle Combe, lapping fastest and finishing a commanding 15 seconds ahead of Alan Woode, one of the category’s most established names.
By the end of that debut season — despite only entering half the calendar — Britten had secured:
- 14 victories at circuits across the UK
- The 1150cc class record at Brands Hatch
- The Peter Collins Memorial Trophy for most promising club racing newcomer
Innovation Meets Regulation
In 1967, new ‘Marque Sports’ regulations demanded that cars retain a standard silhouette. The SS1800’s bodywork no longer qualified — so Britten turned to the Lenham Motor Company for a solution.
Lenham produced a custom one-piece glass fibre rear end shaped to resemble a factory Midget, ensuring the car remained legal while retaining its aerodynamic edge.
The image above captures SS1800 at Lydden, awaiting its next race before those regulations changed the game.
Legacy Lives On
The SS1800 didn’t just win races — it inspired a new era of Sprite-based racing GTs. The ingenuity, weight consciousness, and competitive edge laid the groundwork for what would become Lenham GT legend — a lineage that continues in the spirit of YFY 467 today.
Source: Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites by John Baggott
