1962 Austin Healy Sprite

[matthewsx]

Yes, goals....

I have very limited space where I live, and a spouse that disdains clutter.

So, I'll either get it done or move it on to the next owner. Fortunately, the body structure itself is solid, really just the floors need to be replaced. Also, my preference with vintage cars is for the "survivor" look. Oxidized paint is okay with me and the interior can be spartan. I'll go to some shows but that's not really my interest. Just want something to tinker with and drive down the coast on Sunday....

John

 

[Mini Cooper S]

I love it! My first car was a 1962 Sprite. the car was only 9 years old when I bought it for $500.

 

[matthewsx]

Got her home.



John

 

[Nesse1]

One of the (car) fish that got away in my life, was a frog eye Sprite that a coworker almost gave away to another coworker. My first car was a Triumph TR4A, and later a TR6, and I've always had a soft spot for a nice British sports car.

A few years on, I rebuilt a Mazda 12A rotary for a RX7. Found a Racing Beat exhaust and Holly 460 4 barrel carb intake manifold, and slammed it all together. Added a "street port"; rotary's are like two strokes: small changes in port size, have a large effect in the intake/exhaust event timing. So I "ported" the side housings, and the engine ran GREAT.

Ever since, one of my bucket list projects was to slam a rotary into a small British sports car. I still haven't given up hope. I'm jealous of your Sprite here, because it would be an awesome candidate for such a project!

 

[455dan]

One of the (car) fish that got away in my life, was a frog eye Sprite that a coworker almost gave away to another coworker. My first car was a Triumph TR4A, and later a TR6, and I've always had a soft spot for a nice British sports car.

A few years on, I rebuilt a Mazda 12A rotary for a RX7. Found a Racing Beat exhaust and Holly 460 4 barrel carb intake manifold, and slammed it all together. Added a "street port"; rotary's are like two strokes: small changes in port size, have a large effect in the intake/exhaust event timing. So I "ported" the side housings, and the engine ran GREAT.

Ever since, one of my bucket list projects was to slam a rotary into a small British sports car. I still haven't given up hope. I'm jealous of your Sprite here, because it would be an awesome candidate for such a project!

The Sprite should be a rewarding project for Mathewsx

My bucket list includes finishing body work/paint and getting my Pontiac powered 84 RX 7 back on the road.

 

[matthewsx]

Picked up a couple of Datsun A series motors today. An A12 in pieces and an A14 complete. They both came with 4 speed transmissions.




John

 

[twhite]

That will be a great engine swap.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[matthewsx]

Well, cue the sad trombone music. I measured and sat in her but after getting some “race” seats and making a piece for the floor this car just won’t work for me.

Anyone interested?

Probably need it gone in the next two weeks or it’ll get donated.

John

 

[Mini Cooper S]

Bummer, too bad you're in California and I'm in Wisconsin.

Richard

 

[matthewsx]

Too bad the car is here and not at our new place in Muskegon.

John