Austin Healey Sprite

[wemorgan]

Austin Healey Sprite

Apart from what I can readily read online does any have any experience of driving or owning this car? I'm quite tempted. If not a Sprite then maybe a Spitfire.

Cheers,

 

[developer]

Or a Midget or GT6.

 

[Mike Walker]

Think the Spitfire would preferable. The sound of that engine as you take off would be something to behold.

 

[Charles Morgan]

A friend owned a Frogeye Sprite. When it was not broken down it was absolutely basic, no frills and frankly no thrills either, just tiring to be in. Ditto Spitfire, Midget or GT6, some of the worst build quality seen on British cars. Wind in your ears, a rse, feet, lap.

What do you want it for?

 

[moonloops]

Wouldn't want to have an accident in any of them. Still would drive them with a tow truck following

 

[flango]

If I were looking at this type of car it would be Austin Healy 3000 or Triumph TR 5 or 6

Drove all these recently and they still bring a grin to your face and impress

Drove a midget and a spitfire last year and all they remind me of is just how bad British car engineering was

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[wemorgan]

What do you want it for?

For pain and punishment

I guess for occasional short drives around the local roads.

I'm open to other suggestions. Key criteria are; convertible and to be a curvaceous classic shape, but does not have to be a classic. <£15k, but less would be nice. 1980-1990 cars don't appeal to my wife either.

 

[frog-n-flymo]

I used to own a midget, brilliant car, obviously not the modern safety standard. The caveat with the midget and spitfire is the 1500 engine had (engineering knowledge may use the wrong names) 3 bearings on the cam shaft making it hugely unreliable.

I love MG but would recommend the 1800 MGB, or the 1275 midget. The sprite was much more basic than the MG and so despite being tempted in my 20s don't think I'd get the same buzz these days.

My brother now has an MGA... There's a car

 

[IanA2]

Austin Healy 3000 or Sunbeam Tiger would be my choices from that era......

 

[219]

Austin Healey Sprite

Apart from what I can readily read online does any have any experience of driving or owning this car? I'm quite tempted. If not a Sprite then maybe a Spitfire.

Cheers,

Is it a Frogeye ( Mk 1 ) or a Spridget ( Mk II Sprite / Mk I Midget ) , or later ?

A good friend had one for many years which he ran on a shoestring , welding and replacing bits as required . Mechanicals were fairly straightforward and generally reliable . I drove the car a few times and it was pleasant enough .

His son then got a Frogeye - I seem to recall that the 'boot' space was accessed from behind the seats ( no opening bootlid ) .

From memory , the main issues were with bodywork .

I have also had a few Heralds : a 1200 , a 13/60 and a 2 litre Vitesse .

Mechanical bits were fine , the 2 litre straight six was supreme , chassis was the biggest problem with outriggers and siderails needing welded/replaced .

The other achilles heel of these cars were dodgy Lucas electrics ( my 1200 nearly went on fire as smoke started pouring from under the dash as I drove along - at least I was able to pull up the front opening bonnet and quickly disconnect the battery without any real damage .

I passengered in a Spitfire , but never drove one . Spit/GT6 were basically Heralds/Vitesses with different bodies .

Oh , and Heralds enjoyed the tightest turning circles of any cars , other than a London taxi .

Wilmot Breeden FS keys that would fit just about any other car with the same key type ( almost any British car of the era ) didn't provide the best security .

Oh , yes , and no synchromesh on 1st , so come to a halt or learn to double declutch , more usually just pick up 2nd if moving off from a junction without quite stopping . Swing axle rear suspension could catch the unwary out too .

All the same , the cars were fun , fun , fun to own and drive .

If I wanted one , I'd probably go for either a 2 litre Vitesse convertible - reasonable turn of speed , open air fun and 4 seater practicality - otherwise a Herald Estate with 2 litre engine ( not sure if they were made from the factory but would be a useful car ) . My memory of the smaller engines is that they'd be left behind in present day traffic as they weren't particularly fast even in the 70's when I had mine ( Vitesse excepted ) .

If buying one , get underneath and check the chassis for rot . Check around the wiring looms for patching and signs of burning .

 

[grober]

I would be inclined to look for a "glass fibre special" of some sort. Lotus, Marcos, Piper TVR, Ginetta, Rochdale etc. All tended to use Triumph,BMC or Ford mechanicals but with better power to weight than their steel bodied counterparts? Or go further back for a more "traditional look" Triumph roadster HRG Morgan etc

ps Vitesse convertible good choice

 

[219]

Or , if you want German reliability , how about a VW Karmann-Ghia convertible .

If you want to pep it up later , you can add Porsche mechanicals .

 

[flango]

Original VW Beetle convertible? now there's German class for you

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[219]

Original VW Beetle convertible? now there's German class for you

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And a true 'cabriolet'

 

[Charles Morgan]

The Herald is very pretty, Michelotti designed, but possibly a little slow. The Vitesse has the lovely straight six, but I'm not greatly enamoured of the Chinese eye. Shame no 80s cars as the VW Golf GTi convertible is a seriously fun car to drive and offers so much more fun at a very good prices.

Nice restored Morris Minor Convertible?

Kammtail Alfa Spider?

Lotus Elan drophead (more than your budget and skimping is not a good idea)

Sunbeam Alpine Series V?

 

[llewe]

1098/1275 Midget/Sprite in proper condition and better still with upgraded suspension- ditching the lever arm dampers and a few other tweeks and you will have a car that is excellent fun for A/B roads, perfectly adequate performance for modern traffic conditions. No need for it to be unreliable although it will need more frequent servicing than a 'modern'- grease points, frequent oil changes and lubrication needed. Electronic ignition/ 123 distributor will make it a reliable starter. Avoid plastic bumper 1500 for looks/ handling and engine!
Not much fun on motorways-but then they had hardly been thought of when sprites/midgets first appeared....
Can't/shouldn't compare to a 'modern' especially a Merc- different kettle of fish altogether..

 

[grober]

One example of a fibre glass special at £8,750 Marcos Mantula Coupe V8 For Sale (1989) on Car And Classic UK [C524676]

 

[gaz_l]

For pain and punishment

I guess for occasional short drives around the local roads.

I'm open to other suggestions. Key criteria are; convertible and to be a curvaceous classic shape, but does not have to be a classic. <£15k, but less would be nice. 1980-1990 cars don't appeal to my wife either.

Will, have a look at a Fiat Barchetta. Certainly convertible and curvaceous.. the best will cost you around £7K. Alfa 1750 twin cam engine, OK not the most powerful but it only weighs around a tonne so 130 BHP is enough..

I ran one for 3 years or so and I miss the little thing. We did a 3000 mile holiday round Europe in it and it never missed a beat.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[flango]

Will, have a look at a Fiat Barchetta. Certainly convertible and curvaceous.. the best will cost you around £7K. Alfa 1750 twin cam engine, OK not the most powerful but it only weighs around a tonne so 130 BHP is enough.. I ran one for 3 years or so and I miss the little thing. We did a 3000 mile holiday round Europe in it and it never missed a beat. Cheers, Gaz

Barchetta is a great car only come as left hookers but a great peppy little thing and ultra reliable

Good call

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[LTD]

Why not look at an SL ?