"MM54" (mm54mk2)
05/17/2016 at 18:54 • Filed to: None
8
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"MM54" (mm54mk2)
05/17/2016 at 18:54 • Filed to: None | 8
| 9 |
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend an ample amount of time in the area just outside Philadelphia behind the wheel of a friend’s newly-inherited 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite (Same as the similar years MG Midget, other than the grille).
(Not the exact car I drove, but very very close)
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in to it, but having driven the car and generally spent time with it (and a bit of wrenching), there is only one word to describe the complete package -
Delightful.
The individual parts may not seem like much - a surprisingly thick steel body without a roof, windows, or exterior door handles, an Austin A-series engine making some power, and a 4-speed gearbox with an impossibly stiff detent on reverse.
But when you put it together, something special happens.
The size and weight of the car come together to make a package that, while rolling like a ship at sea, is an absolute blast to drive. The engine revs up far faster than you’d expect (though the tach was non-functional, so I have no metric here) and does a fairly good job of getting the whole thing moving. I don’t know 0-60 times, we never hit 60 under the car’s own power. I’d guess 20-30 seconds, though.
Then there’s the gearbox - a 4-speed with non-synchro 1st and a demand for force to get into any particular gear. By description it may sound bad, but it may have been the best part of the whole car. Shifts are decided and committed - there is no “flick it in to gear” - you have to mean it when you push the handle. 1-2 is sharp and makes a pleasing crack as gears engage, and 2-3 is similarly satisfying. 4th is enough for cruising, though with a shorter rear gear it may be unusable.
Under the hood, the A-series should make something like 54HP, though who knows what’s coming out at this point. We did run into a bit of an intermittent fueling issue, though I suspect a new filter would clear that up. Under deceleration it makes all the right noises - growling and popping as the little engine does its best to slow you. An accurate downshift while braking is icing on the cake.
At the end of our weekend trip, the car rode for a few hours via trailer and is now in my friend’s garage, less than two hours away. I very much look forward to the next opportunity to squeeze in behind the wheel.
Honeybunchesofgoats
> MM54
05/17/2016 at 19:07 |
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I honestly can’t think of anything else to add.
Jonee
> MM54
05/17/2016 at 19:24 |
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My sister had a purple Midget when I was a little kid and boy did I love riding in that car. Might be what made me a jalop. I can still remember all the noises and smells it made.
CaptDale - is secretly British
> MM54
05/17/2016 at 19:25 |
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I really want to get my ‘69 on the road. The engine is in a million pieces and as much as I would love that 1275cc back in it, I kinda want to pick up a wrecked s2k and put the running gear in my AH.
lone_liberal
> MM54
05/17/2016 at 19:36 |
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But, but, but, a V6 Camry is faster! That much power from an engine of that size is laughably low! The suspension is primitive! Signed, FP Commenter on every old car post.
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MM54
> CaptDale - is secretly British
05/17/2016 at 19:39 |
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That would be crazy.
You should do it.
I want to put a 12a in one.
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> MM54
05/17/2016 at 20:01 |
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Ha, a rotary would be nuts. Someone fund my damn car so I can rev a Sprite to 9k
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MM54
> CaptDale - is secretly British
05/17/2016 at 20:48 |
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Once I can find a roller I fully plan on the 12a swap, it has to be possible and would be nuts.
As would vtec haha
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> MM54
05/18/2016 at 11:29 |
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Right. I wish I had the time and space. Mostly space. Not having a garage has made my project impossible. I can always make time.
Spridget
> MM54
05/30/2016 at 21:48 |
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Oh, it’s possible: