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I have resisted several "opportunities" to buy a hard top for my Sprite. Why? Because it is "soft" to drive with the soft top up, and even "softer" to co nvert to a top on a semi-permanant basis for the whole winter!! And, Because on the occasions when I am enough of a "wimp" to put the soft top u p, the increased mechanical noise drives me nuts. The car just sounds so m uch better with the top down and they must sound awful with a fixed hard to p holding all that noise in! Guy "Guy Weller"... MORE
Bloke at work has put one of frontline ones his rubber bumper midget. Very well made. You get a substantial welded plate bracket that goes where the old lever arm goes. Uses the three holes plus one other you have to drill. Telescopic goes on to top of new bracket and bottom goes to new bit held on by the anti roll bar fixings using longer bolts. He says wonderfull, positive steering and suspension. But then his lever arms were totally shot. He would have got an immediate improvement with good lever arms. Terry "terry.isherwood" 28162... MORE
It's strange isn't it how us Brits can manage to convert from GBP to USD but it seems impossible for American's to convert from GBP to USD lol I've done a rough and ready conversion using the current rate of 1.70USD to the GBP. Bear in mind that the GBP to USD conversion rate in 1963 would have been a lot higher - you can almost halve these dollar amounts for a more realistic rate in 1963. ie the GBP to USD conversion rate now is a lot less than it would have been in 1963 - at an... MORE
It's strange isn't it how us Brits can manage to convert from GBP to USD but it seems impossible for American's to convert from GBP to USD lol I've done a rough and ready conversion using the current rate of 1.70USD to the GBP. Bear in mind that the GBP to USD conversion rate in 1963 would have been a lot higher - you can almost halve these dollar amounts for a more realistic rate in 1963. ie the GBP to USD conversion rate now is a lot less than it would have been in 1963 - at an... MORE
Except perhaps security? It is a lot better with a hard top .... but of courrse never brilliant. "Roger Stinson" 28155... MORE
Mark - Oh, and one other thing - yeah, the fitting of the top end parts went fine. No problem with the part fitment. But you have to reroute your front brake lines on early model Spridgets (yours) to make room for them. Ever hand bend brake lines into complex 3D shapes? Buy several extras, and start with coat hanger wire to get the shape close. It's tons of fun. Sorry I forgot that one "small" detail. H "hamondale" 28146... MORE
Yes, absolutely Roger. As a Bugeye "roadster" owner, I forgot all about that. Much better on a "convertible" Spridget for sure....good point. :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28156... MORE
A buddy of mine, living in Germany during March of 1963, got the following quote from the Austin Motor Car Co., Ltd., Motor Export Corporation, Ltd. of Piccadilly, London on a new AH3000... A-H 3000 Sports Conv. L865.00.00 (Mono or DuoTone) Prod. Line fitted extras: Heater 15.10.00 Overdrive 50.00.00 Wire Wheels 25.00.00 Adj. Steering Col. 2.00.00 Tonneau 10.00.00 Knockoffs (ea. wheel) 1.06.00 Servo Ass't. Brakes 10.00.00 *Steering Lock 4.10.00 *Wing Mirror 1.11.04 * = Compulsory in Germany A hardtop is not currently available thru the Personal Exports Divison Anyone care to do the exchange rate math at "yesterday's" prices,... MORE
Hi, John...don't own one, however... probably go for $500 or better when in good "ready to go" condition or new, maybe more. Advantage would be if say, you lived in the Northeast and it was December, Jan or Feb. Put it on Dec. 1st and leave it on until the weather becomes more conducive to top down driving. In more moderate climates, assuming more sunny than rainy days, I can see no advantage to having one. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28137... MORE
G'day guys A recent posting from Alex on the MidgetSprite list mentions that: "Most BEs don't have a front bumper, and I personally think it makes the car." Well, front bumper bars were optional extras on the Bugeye. So I guess if you take a restored Bugeye to a Concourse, and you have no front bumper bar, then we can't deduct points for "item missing". About 10 years ago, I was a Concourse judge at our National meeting, and there was a magnificently restored Bugeye, complete with front bumper bar, and a proudly framed Certificate from the British Motor... MORE
Cap'n To clarify this, the 'bible' states that 'all exported Sprites were fitted with the Front bumper bar, overriders and number plate mounting as standard and was an option on all others.' Huh? Why wasn't it? Just because it left the factory without one, doesn't mean it couldn't be retro-fitted. The reason the Sprite's came with so little 'base' equipment and had so many optional accessories was to keep the price down. There was a whole host of optional extras that could be specified either from the 'factory', 'franchise dealership' or even BL Special Tuning or the Healey's own... MORE
Front Bumper...fitted on export cars, "option" on homemarket types. Ah, ha!!!! I had it the wrong way 'round. Thank you Nigel for straightening me out. Reasoning: The problem here is in "saying too much". Part of what the judges judged was the paperwork that came with the car, which specified the car before them on which judgement was predicated for that particular event did not match the car before them. So they had to deduct points accordingly. You can bet they agonized over this one. I woud've. Had the paperwork not mentioned the bumper one way or the other,... MORE
No, Bob... The "difference" lies in the fact the lack of a front bumper is part of the official "documentation" which came with the car in terms of what the judges were presented with. I thought I made that clear in my post on the subject. Had the bumper not being there NOT been documented, the judges would not have deducted any points for it being there, whether it came off the production line with or without. Another case of "saying too much", "volunteering information" which is not required nor asked for, screwing you!! :):) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{)... MORE
Hmmm... I was under the impression that front bumper bars were stock on cars for the "home" market but otherwise an "option". Anyway, that particular car wasn't supposed to have a front bumper on it, option or not and unfortunately it's documented, unlike probably some other OEM parts on that car which, while "original", didn't come with that car as it came off the factory line. Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 28095... MORE
David, Thanks. It's the windshield/windscreen that I'm addressing, and not the side windows which are okay. I have the complete assembly off the car, and as you noted, I removed the two securing bolts located on each side up under the dash. What a pain they were to get at. The top moulding retaining screws were removed, providing access to the glass encased in the bottom and sides. The seal around the glass was pulled out, and the glass removed. The frame to body seal seems crimped in place on the bottom (in the groove), and is a real... MORE
G'day Paul et al The travel at the slave cylinder end depends on: a.. the length of the clutch pedal from pivot point to the pedal pad (there are two lengths - bet you didn't know that) b.. the height of the pedal off the floor (which is adjustable on cars with dual clutch/brake master cylinders) c.. the amount of free play at the top of the pedal d.. the master cylinder bore size e.. the slave cylinder bore size f.. the amount of "lost movement" due to wear in bushes, clevis pins etc etc If you know answers... MORE
Hi The visor kits are very good I thought, I've used them in two Midgets. The bottom car to windshield seal is a pull through. Use lots of soap/lube and get a helper. The complete job is a real pain. (G) Jon "Jon Paschke" 28081... MORE
Kevin I think you're going to have major problems trying to get a 'dented' and 'bent' bumper re-chromed - it will be horrendously expensive when you consider the labour involved. One of my rear bumpers had a 'ding' in it and I virtually scrapped it, because of how much it would cost to 'fix' and re-chrome. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 28071... MORE
Thanks David (and others who answered) - The reason I want to know is because my bumpers are a bit dented and bent - next time a used original comes up for auction on ebay for the right price I'll go for it. Mine aren't that bad, so if they are original, I'd rather keep them and maybe fix 'em than replace them with the after market ones (which I hear aren't that great). The sellers don't always say whether the one they are selling is an original and even if they do make the claim, they don't seem... MORE
Which glass are you talking about? It sounds like it's the windshield/windscreen, so you need to take the complete assembly off the car then dismantle it. The securing bolts/nuts are hidden away up behind the ends of the dashboard. I'm not exactly sure how this looks on a late US spec car as the dash is definitely different from my 1974 UK car but the 'screen itself is the same. Don't foget the plate at the bottom of the centre rod, either. Once you've got the 'screen assembly off, you can remove the frame to body seal and you'll... MORE
Nigel, I paid $300 USD to triple chrime bumper plus both overriders. Not cheap, but it was a good job. Need to be careful with "neighborhood" chrome and metal re-finisher shops. Most BEs don't have a front bumper, and I personally think it makes the car. Alex "Alex del Russo" 28075... MORE
Hmmm! Nigel, my solution is to run the car without either front or rear bumpers. I prefer the looks of it that way, but I do know that you won't approove! Thanks for the post .... now I know how much money I have saved!! Guy ;-) "Guy Weller" 28061... MORE
G'day Kevin Aren't they rude, having a laugh at you like that!!!!!!!! I can understand it from Brad, but from Capt Bob, I am surprised! Shame on you Bob. Now to the topic. Kevin, are you measuring distance travelled at the pedal, or travel at the slave cylinder? If it's 1" at the slave cylinder end - then that's excessive. It's usually only about 1/2", so all is well. At the top end, the pedal should hit the floor - approx 4" away. 1" in and out (sorry, couldn't resist) is rediculous. But if your clutch pedal only travels... MORE
I'm replacing the seals and glass on my midget, and would like to inquire with someone who has been there and done that. Removal of the top moulding was easy. What are the tricks to the removal of one (or both) of the side mouldings in order to replace the glass and seal? I'm also replacing the windhsield to body seal while at it. Any tips for tackling that part would be greatly appreciated. VB lists a visor replacement kit. Interested in hearing reviews before purchasing. Thanks, Pete 78 midget Granville OH "Pete Skalski" 28051... MORE
Cap'n Thanks for your input. Well these guys are meant to be 'specialists' in this, and in classic car parts so if it's not up to 'scratch' they can do it again until they get it right! It's amazing when you consider I'm having to pay almost 1/1/2 times as much for re-chroming as a new bumper blade costs on its own! But as I said, I would rather have my original one done, than buy an inferior 'new' part. I was fortunate enough to 'buy' a pair of rear bumpers which were meant to be NOS, and they... MORE
