1958 AH Sprite

[boosted]

This is my old man's Sprite, he's had it for many many years. Done about 12 targas in it, been on the podium 5 times (from memory), twice for 1st. Lots of class wins with a few breakdowns thrown in.

I spent a fair bit of my time working on this car in my youth, most of the shit I learnt about the mechanics of cars was from this. Spent many a night pulling it apart and putting it back together during targas.

Most of the fittings are still original with a few period mods thrown in

Body:
1958 Mk 1
Nurburg White
Fiberglass Bonnet, forward hinged
Cutout behind seats (was done when he got it)

Engine:
This was put together by a mini specialist down here
Cooper S 1275 block (car was 948 originally)
30 over
Hepolite Pistons
Heavily Ported head
Chambers worked on
Big valves
Some random rockers (not original)
"Secret" scatter cam
Lightened Flywheel
Redline manifold
48 DCOE
Ceramic coated extractors
Not much of an exhaust
Maybe some other things I don't know about

G-Box:
Straight cut gearset (went through 3 standards before these, and they've lasted 5 targas now)
Solid plate clutch

Diff:
Stock centre (On the list to fix)
Some big custom axles (broke a few)

Brakes:
Later model disks

Susp:
Modified shocks
Bigger springs
front swaybar

Wheels:
13*5.5 Superlights
Potenzas

And other random stuff required for targa

Looking at entering targa this year with a mate in it, but dad expressed interest again so might do that.

Don't mind the filthy aircleaners
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6785.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6777.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6779.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6789.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6800.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6799.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6788.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6802.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6795.jpg

And its home:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/DSC_6813.jpg

[Guido]

That's very, very cool. Always liked Sprites.

[GTREA]

Can you put a nokia phone next to it so I can get some idea of the size :)

[carcrazy]

Now that is cool!

[Spammy]

Sweet Bug Eye & cool shed

[GTV]

cool sprite.

If you're going to run targa in it, try and fit a couple of proper race seats. Don't have to be big dollar items - even the basic $400 revolution specials will be better than those. Not disrepecting the success already achieved with the car, but I'd be surprised if you didn't find it much easier (and safer) to drive it fast with your arse more firmly clamped into the machine.

Oh, and much jealousy about the shed :)

[Lurch]

Nice Bug :)
I was wondering if you were ever going to post it up...

'58 means it's an early press stud windscreen model.
Is it an Aus delivered car or a later UK import?

Oh, & I see you know Mr. Bennetto...

[evil_weevil]

That looks cool!! Fun to drive??
I want a shed like that too one day!!

[boosted]

Cheers,

Lurch, it's Aus delivered, and yep press stud screen which is in the shed. Tony is a good friend, Dad met him in Targa back in 1993 I think it was.

GTV, I did tell Dad it would be a good idea a long time ago, but he didn't seem to keen (likes the old ones). Could still be done though, wouldn't want anything too out of place looking. There is other things to do first, I am going to add to the "roll bar" with some side bars and a middle one into the passenger footwell. Also going to put a collapsable steering column in it.

It's pretty dam fun to drive, although it could use a tad more power! The shed is good, I have 3 cars and a few bikes in there (mostly not going) there is a mezzanine up the back, hoist up the front.

[boosted]

sr20trx:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/al_nichols05/nokia.jpg

[gxxr]

Must have followed your old man in one stage or a transport on the east coast, as it was a light colour, probably early 2000s, seemed to get along well for what we thought had a sub 1 litre engine inside! It was a Sprite that had a win that year and the preceding year too from memory.

Don't suppose you've an idea of the worth of a Mk I screen and pillars? Had a project that was sold off about 10 odd years ago, couldn't find it at the time when it was sold, then subsequently found it in that "safe keeping spot":w:.....of course had lost the blokes details by then.