I want an Austin Healey Sprite

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 11/05/2014 at 19:25 • Filed to: None

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Not the Bugeye ones, the later MkII cars with the 'conventional' front end but still no door handles, side windows or turn signal stalk. I know the pictured car is a later MG Midget but you get the idea.

Look at that little pea shooter! What is that? 3/4 inch diameter?

I don't care. Here's my plan. I want to paint white number circles on the doors, (#44) create a straight pipe exhaust for it and drive it everywhere in snowmobile getup year-round. I would also trailer it to track days behind my 1969 Newport sedan.

I just like them. They make Miatas look heavy and cumbersome. These weigh just 1,600 pounds! That's 150 less than a Geo Metro!

Brian Silvestro > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 19:28

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I've been wanting a TR4 quite badly lately

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 19:30

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That's because the best cars are the old British roadsters. No matter how often they break. No, I don't lust after MG's ever.

notacarguy > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 20:11

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1600 pounds!? that's less than 2000 pounds!

Roundbadge > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 20:21

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Honestly, you'd just need some ramps...I'm pretty sure a Sprite would fit in the Newport's trunk.

davedave1111 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 20:33

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1600 lbs? Too heavy.

1100lbs as stock, but you could easily get it down by a hundred or so, then make it up with a heftier engine.

desertdog5051 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/05/2014 at 20:42

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Love them myself. Go, man. If you ain't had British, you do not know what love of a car is.

Jobjoris > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/06/2014 at 05:34

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Make sure to make a Lenham GT or Ashley out of it, looks even better IMO. You can still get these bodypanels (nose/roof&rear) new and just bolt them on!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Jobjoris 11/06/2014 at 07:32

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I like it! Though I've always been partial to the 'mini 250 SWB' looks of the speedwell gt kit.

Jobjoris > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/06/2014 at 10:48

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Two months ago I almost bought this project:

Just wasn't the right time/price...

mjswee > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/06/2014 at 11:22

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I've got a 1962 MKII with the 948cc engine. I've had it about a year and have probably put a little over 1000 miles on it. Its slow, but loads of fun and gets tons of looks. Best $2500 I've ever spent.

With my 996:

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > mjswee 11/06/2014 at 12:43

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Oh my god I'm so jealous! How are they on the highway? Can it drive 60-70 mph for long periods of time?

mjswee > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 11/06/2014 at 13:33

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I occasionally drive it to work which is about 12 miles of highway with a couple of hills and cruise along at about 60 (speedometer isn't very accurate) and it has no problems. I've also taken a few 50-60 mile trips in it at highway speeds with no problems. I do stay off interstates and try to avoid major high-traffic highways.

I think top speed from the factory was around 85mph. Above 65, it can get a little hairy if you hit a bump in the road. You have to watch out for other cars too since its so small. The most I usually drive at a time is an 1-1.5 hours as its not the most comfortable ride.

Size comparison to a golf cart:

CaptDale - is secretly British > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 04/12/2019 at 13:39

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Well I have a MkIV you are more than welcome to check out when I finish restoring it.