Hi Patton,
Saw your post on the spridgets list inquiring about the Sprite Midget
Owners' Group (SMOG), and thought I'd add what little I know and send an
info copy to the healeys list. I'm pretty sure there are a couple of
people on the healeys list who can add to this little bit that I know.
I believe that the SMOG was first formed in California in the 1970s. At
the time, the Austin-Healey Club, Pacific Centre (now Austin-Healey Club
USA) was for big Healeys only (but is now most certainly for *all* Healey
enthusiasts) and so the Sprite guys formed their own group.
A guy named Dick Santana was one of the main movers and shakers. He may
have been the founder. Last I knew, Dick lived in Gilroy, California
(garlic capital of the world!). His last known address and
phone:
10135 Parish View Drive
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 227-3276
The Texas branch of the SMOG that you referred to was probably headed up by
a guy named David Lougee. His last known address and phone:
10123 Caribou Trail
Dallas, TX 75238
(214) 348-5004
(214) 320-6050
I don't believe that the SMOG really exists any more. All Healey
clubs in North America that I know of now welcome Sprites, and have for
many years. Therefore the perceived need for a separate group seems to
have gone away.
By the way, the SMOG used to publish a newsletter called "SMOG Alert,"
but I don't think that it has been issued for many years.
For more historical info on SMOG, you might also want to contact:
Rick Moses (a.k.a. "Mr. Sprite"), organizer of "Sprite Rush '98"
1-888-5SPRITE
Tom Colby at "Speedwell Engineering" in southern California
1711 1st St
San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 898-9151
Good luck. Please let us know what you find out!
Cheers! Reid
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