This 1962 Sprite is my current project car. I like to spend more time working on the cars and less at the computer, now that I'm retired, so while there's progress being made on the project, there may be a delay in it showing up here. Do check back often, however, to see what's what, decisions made, efforts undertaken, and hopefully a few successes.

I found this car in a local newspaper ad and bought it on the spot; that was February of 2006. I took a number of photos when she arrived and have them displayed on the "First Look" page. I had a couple other cars in flux at the time and was not sure what the ultimate goal was for this one...I even had it up for sale for a very short time...thank goodness it didn't sell.

It was obvious when I bought the car that it would need a lot of attention to bring it back...little did I know! The structure of the car seemed quite solid at first, with the usual exception of the sills, but the body was much worse than first thought and will present many challenges to my, yet to be acquired, body working skills.

I settled on what I wanted, after a time...to recreate a '60s era weekend racer...back then that's what we called a car that could be driven to work or school during the week, then hit the track (usually a local airport) on the weekend. There were several cars that I had pulled together photos of that had the flavor of the car I wanted to build this little Sprite into:

I just picked up a factory photo of a Mk. II Sprite off Ebay...looks just like my car...in the "before" pictures. As you can see, it's black and white and a little fuzzy around the edges...those are traits you don't see much today in the Photoshop age. I believe the model "driving" is the same that appears in a number of MG photos and ads; she is generally referred to as "Miss MG". Check out the hair do. (click on the photo for a larger view)

Spridget...what's a Spridget? You may or may not know the origin of this word. Basically, an MG Midget and an Austin Healey Sprite are the same car with what is generally referred to as "badge engineering". All that means is that the different names (badges) on the car and a few small trim pieces are all that differentiate a Midget and a Sprite. This car will have what few tell-tale items that once were there to note it's Sprite origins removed...Sprite no longer...Midget, no...Spridget, YES!

Disassembly of the Sprite began in late April of 2007 and, because of the sporadic nature of the work, continues. There are other priorities competing for my time, especially this time of year, such as car shows with the Midget and cruises in the Triumph. During this early part of the Spridget Project I also had scheduled and completed a conversion of the Triumph from a home-grown fuel-injection unit back to original SU carbs...a labor of love! And then there's my "work day" which usually commences around nine, after my second cup of coffee, and ends early, around two or three, especially on the hot summer days. Hey, got to have time for a shower and nap before the daily jaunt in the TR. I've placed a number of photos on the "Disassembly" page that walk through the compete process.

Disassembly was completed in early July and the next item of business was to construct a body tub rotisserie. While not essential to the project, with the amount of body work to be done, it seemed a good investment of a few days, about $200, and some sweat. It also gave me an opportunity to work on my welding skills and provided a transition from disassembly to body work. For details on the rotisserie, click here or on the button to the left.

Another big milestone in the project was achieved in June, 2007, selection of an engine builder. I visited with Hap Waldrop of ACME Speed Shop (Greenville, SC) at the 2007 Mitty at Road Atlanta and really liked what I heard. Hap is very well known in the vintage racing circuit as well as on the LBC bulletin boards and lists. Besides being knowledgeable and a top notch professional builder and racer he's also a down to earth really nice guy. We struck a deal and a new 1275cc motor will be completed for the Spridget sometime this winter. I am glad to have time on my side (got LOTS of body work to do) and this will give Hap all the time needed in a world where most folks want it yesterday.

Bodywork started in June, 2007 and is the current priority...and will be for quite some time...LOTS to be replaced/repaired. I received a sheet metal order from Moss Motors...it was delivered by UPS Freight...on an eighteen wheeler; a 4'X4'X4' double cardboard box on a pallet. After more probing, a second order was delivered the following week. We're talking serious panel replacement/repair. There's a list posted on the Bodywork page; it will give you an idea of the magnitude of the effort.

Parts are beginning to pile up. The bonus room upstairs is being used for storage for this project and is getting quite congested...I've also got a new interior for the TR3 still in boxes up there as well, not to mention the 42 aquariums (now dry) from my tropical fish breeding days.

I have added a page that will be used as a photo inventory of most of the major parts going into the car; navigate there by clicking on the Parts button on the left or here.

You will note that a new button, "Project Plan", has been added to the left. Click on it and you will see a copy of the  spreadsheet I'm using to keep up with the parts and services related to this project.

E-mail Ray at ray@raysmg.com about MG interests you may share.