Austin Healy Sprite

Post by **jojax64** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:57 pm

Been watching one recently. Anybody know much about them...firstly as a car, and secondly the availibilty of spare parts?
Thanks, guys.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 5:40 pm

Great wee cars - used the 948 engine fitted with 2 x tiny SU carbs. There was a 'slight' power increase over the Minor engine - only because the hot-spot on the Minor inlet manifold had been eliminated. Rear springs are 1/4 eliptic - work fine, but the mounting point on the body (just behind the seats) takes all the strain and is a common rot/fatigue/bodge-up point. All the usual rust problems of a BMC car - and the front section is all one piece - hinges backward. These are now sometimes in fibreglass which seriously detracts from the value - it should be all metal. Owners often uprate the brakes to later discs and change the engine to later 1098/1275 - and suspension upgrades are common too. These mods may reduce the perceived value of these cars - often the top prices are for unmolested cars - in 'factory fresh' condition. They are also quite small - I can't get in to the driver seat, I can just manage passenger seat with head sticking up above the screen!

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:45 pm

Do you mean the MKI "Frogeye" made '58-61 or a later version ?

If later than '61 then basically everthing you read about a Midget of same year applies to a Sprite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin-Healey_Sprite

All versions are fun cars, easy to work on, reasonable part prices for most items (very similar to Minor) and cheap to run / own.

I had a late 1500 Midget and as BMC says they are tiny so if you are tall / "large" or have leg problems (like me) then try sitting in one first.

Paul Humphries

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:00 pm

Ah yes - I had rather assumed a Mk I when it said A-H Sprite !
later cars had more normal semi-elliptic springs and fixed front wings with opening bonnets. Not nearly as valuable as the MkI - but just as prone to rust! And of course over the years performance improved, as did braking. Point us to the car you have been 'watching' !

Post by **Packedup** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:38 am

paulhumphries wrote: All versions are fun cars, easy to work on, reasonable part prices for most items (very similar to Minor) and cheap to run / own.

I've got a mk2 (heavily modified/ chopped about by previous owners). Some parts are silly money from MG specialists and are the same as Minor parts (1098 clutch kit springs to mind) and so often cheaper at places like ESM.

Metalwork seems pricey (I refuse to be drawn into the eternal debate elsewhere on here about getting what you pay for - If I fork over cash, I expect something that at least attempts to line up and function!) but if you're happy with less than concourse then fibreglass and even aluminium panels can be had for reasonable money (ally being about twice the cost of GRP but sometimes a little cheaper than metal pressings).

I had a late 1500 Midget and as BMC says they are tiny so if you are tall / "large" or have leg problems (like me) then try sitting in one first.

I'm about 6', frequently have leg cramps, lower back aches, and my arms/ shoulders hurt like hell if held in a cramped postion. But would I part with my Midget? Hell no! Really need to try and flog the pickup so I can get the Midget back on the road (would love to keep the pickup, but it ate all my cash and then some saving it), I'm missing tatty as hell, rattly, cramped up fun!

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:48 am

Packedup wrote:I'm about 6', frequently have leg cramps, lower back aches, and my arms/ shoulders hurt like hell if held in a cramped postion. But would I part with my Midget? Hell no! Really need to try and flog the pickup so I can get the Midget back on the road (would love to keep the pickup, but it ate all my cash and then some saving it), I'm missing tatty as hell, rattly, cramped up fun!

There used to be a company who modified the drivers side of Midgets to provide a longer door for easier access.
I was planning on doing that to my car but in the end bought a MGB GT instead.
Nothing wrong with MGB but my opinion was the same as Packedup - the Midget was more fun despite all lack of space.

Paul Humphries

Post by **jojax64** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:13 am

Here it is, guys.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 3DWatching

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:27 am

jojax64 wrote:Here it is, guys.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 3DWatching

That "ticks all the boxes" for me.

I like that model, the wire wheels, colour, etc so can see why you are tempted.

Paul Humphries

Post by **jojax64** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:05 am

So not too difficult to source spares, then?

Post by **Matt** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:46 am

Parts avaliability is about the same as the minor. There arn't as many of them about but there are a few specialist breakers and a lot of specialist suppliers.

Just about all the panels are avaliable, and unlike packedup I havent had any problems fitting the few that I have needed. New bodyshells are avaliable for around £4000

Make sure you check carefully for rust on the front rear spring hangers, it can be a real pain to repair properly. The rear edge of the boot floor also rots badly, so does the area around the lights in the front wing, the leading edge of the bonnet and the door bottoms.

Sure you wouldn't like this one instead?

http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_ ... her-Sprite

Gives you some idea where they do rot! This one has been off the road for 25years and was dry stored for the first 15 odd.

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:17 am

Matt wrote: Just about all the panels are avaliable, and unlike packedup I havent had any problems fitting the few that I have needed.

II've not yet had to buy any new panels for the Midget (I'm intending on going GRP as I can't afford ally, don't like rust, and want to save weight), but my comment was more in reference to another thread on this board regarding Minor metalwork and value for money ;) I would really hope Spridget panels (especially wings and bonnets) actually fit very well given they're not the cheapest lumps of ferrous around.

New bodyshells are avaliable for around £4000

If only I had the monbey.. But then, I always wonder if a new bodyshell,recon engine etc means the car is still the car, or just the same reg number..?

Make sure you check carefully for rust on the front rear spring hangers, it can be a real pain to repair properly.

Indeed. Mine has had at least two terrible repairs on the n/s rear front hanger area meaning I can't unbolt the hanger, and a recent repair on the o/s which although not pretty and factory spec should be damned solid. Sadly mycar has had a lot of work done in the past to varying standards, and the shell is a touch sagged, but that doesn't stop me enjoying it

I like a lot of cars, but for raw basic engineering, with your backside on the ground and a heightened sense of fatalism on fast roads, you can't beat a Spridget

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:23 pm

That looks a very nice car - the chrome bumper models are the ones to go for! It would not have been 1275 originally - must have had engine swap at some point.
Edit - Sorry I was wrong - seems 1275 engine came in for Sprite at end of 1966, so 1 Aug 67 car would indeed be 1275 from new.

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:05 pm

bmcecosse wrote:That looks a very nice car - the chrome bumper models are the ones to go for! It would not have been 1275 originally - must have had engine swap at some point.

Are you sure, I thought the 1275 came in around 66? As far as I know all cars with the bolted on hood (as opposed to the removable hood/ frame of the early ones) had the 1275 lump.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:47 pm

Ooh -well I thought 1275 was a good bit later - but I am certainly no expert on these cars!
Edit - Oooops -seems 1275 engine did indeed come in at the end of 1966 - so 1 Aug 67 car would be 1275 from new . My mistake - sorry!

Post by **Stig** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:28 am

I'm another Sprite owner. The Minor is my 'sensible' car, but the Sprite comes out if the weather's good.

Jojax, have you ever driven one? I'm 6 foot and it's a bit of a squeeze. They are great fun but not recommended for bumpy roads as the ride is a bit harsh. Very 'chuckable' though as it's easy to explore the limits of grip without silly speeds, and it always feels faster with your bum that close to the tarmac. I did have to drive mine all through the winter one year when the Minor was off the road - driving in the rain at night with a 40+ years of scratches on the windscreen in a car that low was an experience!

Mechanical bits available from Moss, can't comment on panels as mine's sort of a replica (from the Frogeye Car Company) so it's a GRP shell on a steel chassis.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:10 pm

Stig28 - Is that the one with the Mini engine/box/front subby ?

Post by **Stig** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:53 pm

What? Front wheel drive? Certainly not!

No, it uses a Midget/Sprite front subframe grafted onto the new chassis and was sold as a "restoration assembly" for owners of rusty Sprites (or Midgets in my case) to transfer the running gear to. The only real difference is the rear suspension which uses rubber torsion springs instead of quarter-elliptics - bit of a compromise really but at least it's got tele dampers on the rear.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:36 pm

Ahhh - right - not heard of that one before. They say the front wheel drive one is very good - but not tried it myself. To tall for a Spridget!

Post by **Matt** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:08 pm

How tall are you BMC?? I have 2 and im 6ft4!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:55 pm

Well -your head must stick well above the screen, and your legs must be bent double! My TR7 fits me just fine - lots of room in there! And I'm just a miserable dwarf at 6' 2".