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Very awesome... Things are looking up: Allen as found a new job, as has Gerard, who thru same found an excellent paint shop in his area, who's owner owns a Spridget and does LBC's.......... while Ginger is about to meet a guy who is president of the local sports car club and restores MG's. This is good. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26030... MORE
Dot 4 it is then. OHH and guess what. I found out that a guy I play softball with has a brother who..::drumroll:: RESTORES MG'S and wants me to bring mine out so he can help me. He's also the president of the British car club here. How awesome is that!! He's even got his own paint booth. I've died and gone to heaven. "Virginia" 26012... MORE
Hi all, my name is Julian from Uk (Nottingham) and I am a newcomer to the site so p lease treat me gently. I have purchased an absolutely beautiful (I would say that wouldn't I) 1967 MG Midget in Red, wire wheels, chrome bumpers, leather trim with white pip ing...mmmmm Anyway. I have a little problem in that after a long run with no junctions I often have to sit in traffic queues to get into the centre of the City. I f I am in a queue like this for over 10minutes...creaping forward in first. .stopping....into neutral...into first....stopping....the... MORE
Small world, aye Gerard? Looks like you found the perfect LBC paint shop! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 26010... MORE
Thanks for your help. I think I'll try and make some brackets out of aluminium and mount them on the bumper-chassis bolts. :) Max "MG_Max" 25998... MORE
Good evening all ... I was a bit concerned that my 'Sprite' had acquired a 'Midget' shell in later life in the shape of a heritage shell ... but it does look good ... Bodywork is white on the new shell... have no idea what the original colour was...the only 2 numbers I have are :chassis AAN10 86855G and engine 12CEPAH15596 but hey Colin it looks like you may have something quite unique ...and it looks very good ... I must admit to finding all these snipets of information very moreish ... I met an old gentleman at the... MORE
Ah, yes... The Nash Metropolitan with "B" Series running gear. My mech recently worked on one of these prior to the owner (son of the father who had owned and stored it prior to his death) taking it out of storage and moving south with it. Neat car. With around only 30K on it, in excellent shape. Had a "real" floor mounted emergency/parking brake lever! Very cool! Had basically single carb. MGA 1486 in it, I believe. Don't recall the year but figure it was mid-50's car. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 25989... MORE
G'day Linda, Nigel et al My Austin Sprite is AAN10/87699G, body number 105002, engine 12CEDAH17223, built 2 June 1971. Midnight Blue. The most interesting thing about the car, however, is that it is a RWA - round wheel arch. According to all the texts, RWA cars were only ever badged as MG Midgets. But this car is definitely a Sprite (AAN10 prefix) and it has not been modified at the rear. All panels, welds, seams etc are original. Since the factory were building RWA shells in June 1971, it seems quite possible that one of them escaped with Sprite... MORE
Hi Colin, That is interesting, and I guess makes your car all the more unique! The last Austin Sprite was #87824, so 124 were built after yours at #87699. Certainly at that time as cars came to the end of the producton run they would use up whatever interchangeable parts were available, and I guess that included bodyshells! Interestingly, the first RWA Midget came out in August 1971. I believe they held back production until August each year as that was the change over date of the new registration plate letters in the UK, and when "new" models were... MORE
I hate to pour cold water on a pleasant story, but the pedantic side of me has to point out that, as far as I can ascertain, Nash/Austin Metropolitans were built at Longbridge whereas Sprites and Midgets were mainly built at Abingdon, with a small quantity coming from the Cowley factory. However it is possible that the bodies for both were produced in the Pressed Steel factory. Regards David "David Jacobs" 25990... MORE
Max Try Moss, I'm sure I've seen lamp brackets not on a badge bar. Personally I'd go for the period lamps they do, more in keeping with the character of the car. Regarding wiring, I'd put in a relay circuit, the lamps would draw too much current for the main lamp circuit, particularly considering old/condition unknown wiring these cars tend to have. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25955... MORE
Please Help, Firstly where can I buy the brackets for the lamps to be mounted on? I imagine that they connect to the bumper brackets? MGOC say they don't do them. Secondly are WIPAC lamps ok, or are there others I should consider. Finally, what is the best way to wire them up? A separate circuit and switch.... or into the main lamp system? I do not want to put a badge bar on the car, as MGOC suggested.... Cheers Max Mk3 Sprite Mk4 Midget "MG_Max" 25953... MORE
Linda My chassis number is 86607 ! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25945... MORE
Linda Thank goodness you have a sense of humour! And you're specially welcome on this list, us Brits (Scots are honourary Brits:) are in short supply here, we need every single one we can get. And when the Americans start on about fenders, trunks, firewalls etc we can translate for you : ) Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25944... MORE
Ah, Nigel! I thought yours was a Sprite, not a Midget. So, Austin Sprites on the list is down to 2 again ( I think) Mine, and LindainScotland's. There is another I know of in Cumbria and now Beckers in Australia knows of one. Linda, I would guess your chassis number.......err, sorry, your car's chassis number, is around 86900 mine is 86947, first registerd 26 May 1971. Guy "Guy Weller" 25937... MORE
... Well guessed Guy ... chassis number 86855 ... not quite a Marks and Spencer 8 Nigel ... and no replacement parts required Brad ... just a bucket of anti- wrinkle cream... and this conversation should stop here least Ed gets grumpy ... then no-one will be feeling 'Happy'! ... have a good evening all! "mlin54" 25939... MORE
Linda, No no Ed definately bites! I'm just finishing off the restoration of my 71 Midget, I'd be happy to start restoring your body as soon as I'm done ; ) Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25930... MORE
Linda Sometimes the actual 'build date' is more relevant and interesting than the registration date. eg, my MG Midget was first registered on 7th July 1971, however its build date was May - June 1970 ! Quite what it was doing for almost a year is a mystery, probably languishing in some Dealers stock. Also it's original paint colour was Blue Royale, which was only available between October 1969 and June 1970, further confirming the build date. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25929... MORE
Hello Group, Due to near arrival of Child number 2, sadly, I have to dispose of some non-core assets (can't eat it or wear it!). I have a 68 Midget in Old English White. 3 owners and 33,000 miles from new (genuine). Bodywork restored to a very high standard. The solid sound of the door shutting is like no other. The downside is that I think I broke one of the piston rings when building the engine. Also very small area of paint damage on top of o/s wing due to overcrowded garage. I've no time to fix it... MORE
oooooops sorry guys if I did not 'get back' quickly enough ... in Scotland sheltering from the wind and rain ... investing in thermals for winter driving ... I did laugh at the mini drama my message seemed to cause ... my wee Sprite is indeed one of the 1022 ... and I have read all your replies with interest ... thank you all for your time and consideration ... Colin I think you are a wonderful person ;-) ... you with all those spare 'Grill' badges ... so what would it take for you to part with one!... MORE
G'day all This talk about badges reminded me - I also have the wrong boot badge for my Austin Sprite. The grill badge is fine, in fact I have a few spares, but the large (5 inch?) plastic Austin Sprite badge is no longer there. If any of our readers in the UK come across one (or two - I wouldn't mind a spare) please keep me and my poor car in mind. thanks in advance, and avagoodday Colin "Colin@SpriteParts" 25879... MORE
Nigel, When I rebuilt my seats I made up new support straps with webbing bought from a furniture upholsterer by the yard. I think it cost me about 3 for both. I also added a piece of hardboard above the webbing and sealed the underside of the seat with polythene to minimise the amount of water that soaks into the seat base when the floor floods. Guy "Guy Weller" 25887... MORE
I very much doubt you will find any correct badging for one of these cars.. as IIRC it's the rarest of the production sprites (not even sure if there were any more than 500 built, possibly less) It is also the last car to carry the name, 'Sprite' till a special edition mini was made at some point in the '80's! which might explain the badge it had on it Stewart "Ford Prefect" 25875... MORE
David I agree 100% The 'webbing' type replacements look very poorly made, and I'm reluctant to even try them on my fresh bare metal resprayed seat frame. I think I'll return them and try and source some of the correct type 'bladder' diaphrams. Thanks for your input. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25856... MORE
Hi there From January 1971 Sprites were badged simply as 'Austin Sprites' and should have an Austin Sprite badge on the grill and boot but nothing on the bonnet. The Austin Sprite badge is a round badge with the Austin Heraldic device in the middle in silver on red, whilst the outside is black with 'Austin Sprite' in silver letters. Where you can buy them depends on where you are, if you're in the US, try Moss, or some of the other suppliers I'm sure US listers can tell you about. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 25853... MORE
