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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Time to part ways

I am thinking it is time to part ways with my Austin Sprite. Perhaps. Owned since 1989 so we have spent lots of very happy time together over the years. Anyone interested to discuss?
GuyW

Sorry to hear that Guy. Not using it?

anamnesis

That's a hard decision to take.
You are keeping the Frogeye?
Jeremy MkIII

Not using it anything like as much as I used to. Hard to justify it and the Frogeye. And just a part of the 'downsizing syndrome' that comes with an excess of birthdays. That inevitable horizon isn't pushing away so freely as it once did!
GuyW

Yep. Understand completely Guy. It comes to everybody.

My uncle's Spitfire. His 3 Velocettes. And with his Velo's, the sale value has really plummeted, because at 82 now, he's not alone in selling his treasures. The market's awash. Once £15/20 thou bikes, are selling at a £few/4 thou; assuming a buyer can be found.

It's the trouble with our generation. We've been so good at extending the lives of stuff that should have expired yonks ago. And now we're all hitting the same point at about the same time, and need to offload. Trouble is, takers are fewer and fewer.

Soon it'll be like watching an old favourite horse go off to the soap factory. 😬..





anamnesis

I would hate to have to get rid of my Frogeye as I have had it since 1969. I still use both of my cars (Frogeye & Sebring Rep). I am just returned from a Battlefield Tour (Normandy) that I organised for my car Group. We also took in the Cabourg car show. A change of cars and I am attending Caux Retro (Normandy) in July.
Looking toward September I am planning to attend the Reims Gueux Circuit Centenary and then drive solo down to Angouleme. We are quite active with monthly meets, coffee with the crew, and local runs. Mustn’t let the old man in is easily said but not always possible as parts wear out not just on our cars but ourselves.





Alan Anstead

Good on yer Alan.👍
anamnesis

Thats what i did big mistake do not do it whish i still had mine i miss the good times
b bithell

Its partly having the two cars. I'm not planning on giving up both! And its not about my fitness either. Well that's not entirely true. Its just tge knowledge that I need to get rid of stuff and preferably when it is still within my decision making to do so.
GuyW

I understand your luxery "problem" with 2 almost simulair cars..

Does your frog already has a 5 speed?
If not how about swopping it from the Austin?

Us meeting last summer was great again, it even made it in the 2025 Family photo album!

Sadly non of your kids is intrested enough Guy, your son still into TVR's?
Im hoping one of mine will by the time I kick the bucket (which I almost did last year returning from the summer holliday) LOL!!!

I still have a rustfree RWA body liying around in my workshop which my son wants to build together when he is a bit older.
2 isues with that:
- he growing so fast I fear he will outgrow a spridget by the time he has a drivinglicence LOL!
- because of somany oldtimers selling their cars the market is overwashed with some very cheap good cars.
Cheaper then restoring one yourself!

I see on Ebay that prices of a spridget in the UK are even more cheaper!!!!





A de Best

Yes I heard that our afternoon meet up whilst on holiday had some lasting consequences a bit later when you got home, Arie. I didn't realise old age was a catching ailment! Must have been a bit of a shock though, feeling a cold draft down the back of your neck like that?

Yes, it's a bit of a luxury having 2 Sprites though both together are still smaller than your Jag. And use less fuel! Actually they are worlds apart. The 1275 is fairly extensively modified, whilst the Frog is near standard, though not quite! But much more of a 1950's creation on the road. Intentional to keep the differences, I like it that way.
GuyW

"feeling a cold draft down the back of your neck"

It was more like standing infront of a very warm gate ... LOL!!
Suposingly thats where all the bad girls go to ;)

All joking aside, im very pleased to still be here.


The jag is massive in comparison to a spridget.
So is fuelconsumption and with nowadays prices its ridicilous!
last weekend we fueled up in Belgium: saving € 62,-!
In holland prices are stupid.
€ 2.90/litre for Shell Vpower...
A de Best

Guy its been a long time sinse ive been on hear but i will give you some advice . After covid because not uesing the midget even so i was still doing work on the midget i some how lost intrest so decided to sell the phone never stopped ringing sold with out even coming to look at it .So a year passed and was looking at morgans ended up getting onefrom london long way to go in one day there and back ran it for two years but i would not go out in rain so it was not getting used british summers sold it at a loss. Now ive no toy to play with .To old to get a midget to restore and looking at ones that are good condition to expensive .So youve still got your frog and keep it thats my advice .
b bithell

From that last post Guy, a message and questions.

Do you need the money?

Can you afford to keep it?

If the answer to both is yes, then, f*ck it! keep it!

Be a pharaoh. Crush it. Take it to the 'afterlife'. 😅.


Seriously though,

I'm not joking.

If you don't need the money, then don't care about selling it.

Even if all you do is look at it, and reminisce until you've lost your marbles, or are dead, then keep it for your own pleasure.

If you don't need the money, and it still pleases you, then keep it. F*ck the world and other people's opinions.

From all our posts over the years, it strikes me, that you decide what's what.

Keep it!








anamnesis

Guy, just put the Austin Sprite for sale at a reasonable price and see if there is intrest.
If not keep it, if yes and the offer is good (enough) sell it

A friend of my has a frogeye and a Midget he had over more then 55 years.
Then bought a MG TC and now (his wife) wants to sell one: the frogeye, well restored late nineties early this century.

He had put it on old value price of € 22.000,- and now 2 years later he dropped to €18.500,--
I still think he will not sell it, € 15.000,- maybe...

point is, dont try to get as much money as you would gotten 4 years ago.
Sell it to a "good" enough buyer for okay money and enjoy your sprite even more.
A de Best

It's too frigiin' hot for a sensible post, so..

" crush it...take it to the afterlife"..

Interesting thought...
I've always said l want my Midget to be set on fire and pushed off Beachy Head...

How do others in this eclectic assembly intend to dispose of THEIR Sprdget, when the time comes?
David Cox

Guy. See this.

Geoff Dodkins special. Not sure what it's worth. Maybe not much now.

But my uncle loves it. He can afford to keep it.

F*ck the gain or monetary loss. The pleasure is worth more.

Maybe that's what your Sprite is worth to you.

Only you know.

If the pleasure of seeing and owning it, still outstrips the money value, then Keep it. 🙂.






anamnesis

It's not about the money, Anamn. Though I would hope to get a fair price. Less than a few years ago, accepted. The value is really in the component parts - some stuff being quite desirable. I

Apart from just wanting a simpler life I know that cars of this age do not like being unused. They do deteriorate fast if not in nearly daily use. And this lives outside, all year round. I would be sad to see it slowly rot away. There are other reasons and limitations but I won't go into that.

Great day to get tge Frog out for a drive in the sun. A bit hotter today, yesterday was nicer for an early summers day.
GuyW

Guy, I empathise with the downsizing issue.

A friend was forced to downsize due to the onset of Alzheimers and he off-loaded quite a bit of kit onto me, some of which I will use but other stuff is going on-line with a percentage going to Alzheimers UK. It has, however, prompted me to start on de-stocking via online sales and the scrap man.

As to the cars, my son says he wants the Sprite, though I'm not sure he fully understands what he would be taking on as he has done very little mechaniking to date.

My other car is a mid-restoration Morris Traveller that I've had since '76. I know that many folk wouldn't be seen dead in one but that's precisely why I'm restoring it. Once it's taken me to the crem they can do what they like with it!

C
C Mee

Colin

There is a Morris Traveller hearse for hire

https://mortonsfuneralhire.co.uk/our-vehicles/trudy-morris-minor-traveller-hearse/

Although I favour the Austin (Minor) 6cwt van, as I had one when I was seventeen.

https://mortonsfuneralhire.co.uk/our-vehicles/trevor-austin-6cwt-van-hearse/

Dave O'Neill 2

I said it was nice to get the Frog out today. A bit hotter than yesterday. But just seen on the TV the temperature today in the SE. - that's 10 degs warmer than here, which I thought was hot! Scary!
GuyW

Yep, quite warm here Guy. Very nice in my local pub garden with a beer or 2. 😉.

I lile the idea of a moggy for that last trip. 🙂.



anamnesis

Dave, when looking planning our mother's funeral that Traveller was an option offered by one of the potential funeral directors and I was up for it but my sisters vetoed it!

C
C Mee

Nice and warm here as well---Although it's what, a month into winter here I'm still in a T shirt, 18C yesterday and haven't had the heater on in the house yet this year---crazy--but I like it

willy
William Revit

Always had a fondness for Moggies, especially Travellers. Learnt to drive in a saloon.
Best friend's first car was a split screen, side valve, in black, red leather seats and gold dash. Funny the stuff you remember.
Great exhaust note on the over run.
He has a heavy right foot so the poor old side valve didn't last, neither did its 948 replacement. I think a 1098 survived him (beginning to sound like Henry VIII's wives) but only because he got a Midget.
Jeremy MkIII

Hmmm. 918, 948, 1098.

Henry's wives 1509 to 1543. 🤣🤣.



anamnesis

I have owned 2 Mini travellers - both of the wood framed variety. I really liked those cars, though I wrote one off on a back lane in Wales.
The first was our honey moon car. Wedded in Hertfordshire, reception continued till 3pm and then we drove the 280+ miles to stay in the Lake District. Probably having consumed an indeterminate number of glasses of the bubbly stuff. I guess there couldn't have been much traffic!
GuyW

First car I drove after passing my test was my brother's grey Morris 1000. Yes, great over-run exhaust note Jeremy.

What to do when I'm too old to drive the Sprite? Well my boys won't want it- very little interest in cars. Eldest brother, who first owned it but didn't restore it, wants it to stay in the family. I've several great nephews, maybe one of them.

This emotional attachment to inanimate objects - I guess it's illogical. But I still think of my Volvo 740 I'd had for 20 years - felt sad as it was driven away and that was was 14 years ago. Hmm.

Sometimes you just have to move on. It's only stuff.
Bill B

A few years ago, an elderly neighbour decided the time had come to give up driving. She liked her cars and owned a nice A3 Audi. I forget which model but it wasnt a budget version! Less than 2 years old, it sat in her garage for another 3 & 1/2 years before she came and asked me to sell it for her. Just 3,000 miles on the clock!
To her, it wasn't nostalgia or sentimentality. It was the freedom and independence that it represented. Hard things to give up!
GuyW

I detect a theme here...my first car too was a side-valve Moggie which l sold for £35 and bought my Midget. That was over 50 years' ago now.. tempus fugit and all that...
Drove on honeymoon in it and took my children to THEIR weddings in it, too. Yes, it might only be " stuff" but l agree that it embodies a whole raft of memories that outweigh the physicality if a lump of ( rusting) metal...Dave
David Cox

Although this has morphed into a nostalgia thread ( by me included) it really was to see if anyone might be interested in my car - or know someone who might be.
I am loathe to just put it on eBay as it includes quite a lot of upgrades and items that probably wouldn't be of interest to the average speculative ebayer. And it's definitely not one of that shiny, dazzling chrome, car show variety!
GuyW

Could you try MASCOT Guy? I'm no longer subscribed but do they still do a for sale section?
Jeremy MkIII

What exactly causes that long overrun exhaust note? Mini's often had it too. I've got it on my Sprite, albeit punctuated by too much popping I can't seem to cure.


Anyway back to Guy's thread. Wish I had a good answer for you. Nobody seems interested in my uncle's great condition Spitfire unless it's very silly money. Sell as parts?

Hard to take the nostalgia and feeling out of it and treat is as just 'stuff'. But I guess that's what has to be done. And likely ignore the monetary and time value you've invested in it.

I'd do car and classic rather than ebay. I think my uncle's Spit will end up there.

The current economic climate won't help. So perhaps, (the word you used earlier) keep it another year, and see if things improve.


anamnesis

Like Jeremy I no longer subscribe to Mascot: but get it passed on by those that do. It still has ‘For Sale’ section.
Alan Anstead

Yes MASCOT is worth trying.
Thanks.
GuyW

Anam, last year mine started 'popping' - turned out to be the inlet/exhaust manifold failing.
It did sound good though.
What sort of silencer/s so you have?
Jeremy MkIII

I think you should get Alan to advertise your car on his trips - an active owners group is the best reason to own a classic. Are there any local events that allow or encourage vehicles for sale?







AdrianR

Don't think I have leaks. Hif with a new 3 branch, and a single standard silencer Jeremy. New inlet/exaust manifold gasket. No blowing along the system I can detect, and goes fine. I'm wondering about valves, but vacuum is the same high reading on overrun as it's always been. The popping doesn't really bother me much, I just wondered what actually causes that long back note when on the overrun. I've read that it's unburnt fuel igniting due to hot exaust valves. If that's true, then in theory, if I switch off the ignition next time I'm going down a decent hill with my foot off the pedal, the noise should continue. Or is that cobblers?

Yeah good idea having your Sprite advertised on other people's tours Guy.

Apart from frogs, there are 4 Sprites on ebay now. ALL AH Sprites. Whether yours being an *AUSTIN* Sprite will attract or detract I have no idea. My guess is that just as people know Midgets more than they know Sprites, still fewer will know amything at all about the rarer Austin Sprites. So that may be a good usp and grab attention away from all the Midgets and AH Sprites on sale.

The key to selling it will be price as much as anything I think.

How much do you want for it? How LOW are ypu prepared to go?

If I was going to sell my '66 Sprite right now, I'd try it at about £4500. One has to be realistic. There is no shortage of Midgets and Sprites around or for sale, and both seem to me to be equal in value/price. The only premium is for a Frog, and there's no shortage of those either; with some asking prices looking frankly bonkers.

But then I'm not a good judge. I stiil see them all with my original eyes. A cheap and great fun easy to drive/fix 1960's/1970's scrapper, that has beyond my wildest expectations remained on the roads long after I thought they'd disappear. I honstly don't expect to get back a smidgeon of the money and time I've spent on mine. Actually though, I've been paid back already anyway. By never buying a new car, I've never lost to depreciation. By not even having another car (modern or otherwise) for so much of my driving life, and using my Sprite as my daily for nigh on all that time instead, I've saved countless thousands of quid. In effect, I could give my Sprite away, FREE, and arguably still be in profit, given that I'd have had to spend so much more on other transport if I'd never had my Sprite. It's been my commuter, my holiday transport, my builder's van, my taxi, etc.

Seeing it that way, if you are in a similar position, pricing it cheaply for a quick sale will be so much easier.

I think a lot of us have had our Spridgets (and some others like Alan and his Escort), so long, that we've long since had our money's worth.

Still doesn't make separation from such a long held item easier though.







anamnesis

anamnesis
I started organising tours, for Sprites, Midgets, & derivatives back in 06 but I don't recall anyone using one of my tours, or the car’s participation in one of my tours, tour, to advertise a car for sale.




Alan Anstead

Great pics Alan. Where were they taken?

anamnesis

anamnesis
Top picture is somewhere in Switzerland on the Alpine Tour circa 2015.
The pits are at Reims Gueux alongside the public road once used for the French GP. Some enthusiasts have been restoring them. There is a Centenary event there in September that I am considering incorporating into a longer solo tour in my Frogeye. Not sure the year of the visit as I have incorporated the venue in a couple of my tours.
Alan Anstead

Yes MASCOT is worth trying.
Thanks.

I wouldn't expect Alan, or anyone else, to 'promote' my car via their event or occasion. It might be taken as some sort of recommendation which would be quite wrong! That's not to say if anyone has a friend, or possibly an enemy, who might be interested then you might mention it!
GuyW

TBH Anam, I thought you'd have had the manifold issue covered😊
So why do Minors pop where other A series cars don't?
Is it the length of exhaust pipe or its diameter, is the exhaust manifold different on a Minor compared to say an A40? Someone in the BMC engineering dept will have known the answer.

Guy,
a long shot but have you considered donating your Sprite to a charity?
Not completely altruistic as you can choose to retain some of the value and you should be able to offset the value of the car against income tax.

https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/donating-land-property-or-shares

It may be a bit of faff though so maybe only considered if other ways of selling don't give you the result you want.

https://www.factoringjournal.com/donating-your-car-to-a-charity-understanding-the-tax-benefits-and-registration-process/

Jeremy MkIII

Back in the day, most cars had their own distinctive sound and you could tell what was coming down the road before you saw it. I think a lot of that was to do with resonance in the body shell.

These days, cars all sound very similar.

Something that might contribute to the Minor’s very distinctive sound is that the silencer is up front, rather than at the rear, like most other cars.
Dave O'Neill 2

Give it to charity? Wow. That WOULD be generous. Lol.

I'll start a new thread about exhaust noise rather than ruin Guy's parting ways sweet sorrow. 😉.

anamnesis

The issues isn't about nostalgia, or about best price, or whether its a good time to sell. Its just given some of the upgrades etc it needs to find someone who values these rather than someone who wants a shiny turn-key car. There are plenty of those about! It's not pristine, though it is now all one colour! It needs some tlc or maybe treated as a 'rolling restoration'

Its a 1275 (1320) line bored, balanced crank/ damper/ flywheel (lightened), matched con rods, big valve MG metro turbo head. 10.5:1 CR, 276 cam, Metro electronic ignition. HIF44 on a Titan manifold. Maniflow LCB exhaust. Concentric clutch slave, 5 speed t9, shortened gearshift extension. Electric fan (ex Rover 400) alloy radiator. Mintex brakes, Goodrich hoses. Rear tubular shocks. Various electrical upgrades to lights, relays, alternator. MGF leather seats, debumpered, and a rather rare pattern of 5J 13 Cosmic alloys. A bit away from standard!
GuyW

With that spec', how about sell the engine and box as a unit? I reckon that'd get a pretty good price alone. Whereas, so many buyer's wouldn't want the rest of the car for lack of originality.

But as I said earlier. Put it on Car and Classic. Free to advertise and no commission as a simple classified as I understand it.

If you want to test what it's worth to other people, that's how you'll find out. It would be nice to think there's still a big enough audience here that would be interested. Have you put an ad' in the classifieds here yet?

How about faceache marketplace? That's free and gets good coverage too.

It's not easy, I know. My uncle has a quite rare 1947 Velocette KSS bike. I've asked in a few Velo' groups what it's worth and if anyone is interested. Not so much it appears. There are 'too many' still about, and so many coming to market as the owners are now too old or dead. And the biggest sin? It has a very worthwhile modification of the time. It has a recognised conversion from rigid rear suspension to swingarm sprung suspension. Hence to flog it, is going to mean flogging it cheap. It's either swallow that, or keep it as it gets cheaper still, and degrades through lack of use.

That's where we are now. I hate it. Purity, no mod's is king. Good mod's that greatly improve, devalues it. No mod's that keep it pure, keeps and improves it's value.

If you're not likely to use it much again, bite the bullet now, no matter the taste. The longer the wait now, the less the sale price will be I reckon.

I'm not looking forward to doing it myself.







anamnesis

Guy, have you used your car on the track for sprints or similar?

It might be attractive to someone who would like to compete in one of the MG focussed championships. While the T9 gearbox might exclude it from some classes, I'm sure it would be eligible for categories. Rob Armstrong might be able to advise and to point you towards relevant forums or places to advertise it.

Colin
C Mee

Just my kind of car, unfortunately I already have one. Although I never got round to the 5 speed conversion even after tripping over a Toyota Corolla box in the garage for about a decade.




AdrianR

“Have you put an ad' in the classifieds here yet?”

The classifieds have all but died.

I can’t remember the last time I had a response to a classified on here. I would think it’s at least five years, possibly much longer.
Dave O'Neill 2

Shrinking audience/customer base Dave? Most deserted to Faceache?



anamnesis

I don’t even get a response from Nigerian scammers anymore 🤣
Dave O'Neill 2

Lol.

anamnesis

When I used the term "stuff" I didn't really mean it. It's more than that, much more, isn't it. I guess it's a word I'd force myself to use when disposing of items I've invested a lot of time in, items that mean something. Ultimately you have to let go, even if only for practical reasons. With a car, you drive it for the last time, you watch it disappear down the road. I suppose it's not so bad if you're replacing it but, eventually, you're not even doing that. I've a pile of stuff in the garage I should get rid off, well, in the next few years anyway. I guess most of us have.
Bill B

Bill--As you say, there comes a time---I had a BIG cleanout about 4 years ago when things weren't looking so good, had a giant workshop/garage cleanout sale. Kept my scope and a few small items but sold everything else, tools, benches, w/shop equip. Advertised a closing down/clearout sale on Gumtree and facebook. Must have worded it right, there were about 20 people lined up at 7am and had a steady flow of that size all through to lunch time. Sold absolutely everything, benches,vices ,cupboards etc all went, even the light fittings. As the day went on I swept up and emptied sweepings into an old mag wheel box which ended up about half full and threw some old left over news papers out of a cupboard on top. After lunch that box was all that remained in the now completely empty w/shop which earlier in the day was a fully equipped building--now hollow. Just about to lock up and leave, had the box of rubbish sitting at the door and my last customer arrived, she was cranky that she'd come late and missed out and was looking for old w/shop books etc for her shop---told her that all I had left was the old newspapers in the box ---She looked at the first couple and wanted them, they were probably 50ish years old--how much do you want for the papers she asked, and I told her she could have the lot for free box and all---really she said, so I generously carried the whole box (rubbish included) out to her car for her and she thanked me and drove off. Would have been interesting when she dived into the box--but it was free. It was a funny day, exciting ,busy ,and sad, all mixed up. but a day I'll never forget-end of a lifetime in that shed. My brother bought the building, he couldn't bare to see it go. He still has it. Great place to go sit, drink beer and tell stories now -----------
willy
William Revit

Yeah, I got there late, and the bloke was just about to lock up and shove off. I was really pissed off I'd missed the big sale. But then I spotted this box by the door, had a quick look, and asked him how much he wanted for the papers in it. Nothing he said. Free. Top bloke, he even carried the box to my car for me.

Boy did I have a few tinnies on the money I made from those rare old papers.

I might drive back there some day and buy him a beer. It'd be interesting to see his face when I tell him. Funny the stuff we all have laying about, and not realising what it's worth when we chuck it all out. Thanks fella. 👍

----

Only teasing Willy..😉.

I've often wondered what's happened to stuff I've given away or let go cheap.







anamnesis

Must have been a hard thing to do Willy. Things stay more or less the same for years and years then suddenly there has to be a major change. In my case my wife doesn't want to be left with a load of "clutter" in the event of my demise.

Of course I could be the one to survive longer.....
Bill B

Bill, your comment reminded me that some years ago Mrs. M told me she'd be furious if I died and left her to clear out my workshop!

Things have moved on and I have a bigger garage and a crowded but slightly more organised workshop.

I have, however, begun to dispose of stuff. £60 worth of mixed scrap metal to the scrap yard (much more satisfying than the council dump) and flogged a few things on Ebay (anyone want an out of date race helmet and Sievert gas torch currently on there). My son has agreed to give our old jet washer a home.

Has anyone considered offering surplus stock and equipment to their local Mens' Shed? Next week I am dropping off a surplus two-stroke strimmer at our local Mens' Shed having previously off-loaded a few tools, sanding belts etc. to a different Mens' Shed. They might not be interested in old Spridget parts but some of these places are really well set up for a wide range of crafts and engineering and may really appreciate your surplus garage equipment and DIY tools & materials.

Colin
C Mee

I use the local Freecycle/Freegle system It works well in my location with enough 'members' within a 20 mile radius to keep the stream of offers, wanted and takers very active. You begin to recognise the regulars and I have made a number of friends of like minded people locally. I don't think it works as well in big cities where it all gets a bit anonymous and less commitment to the principles, more dross and people grabbing stuff to sell on.

However if your aim is to reduce your 'stuff' collection it's not so good. My current MIG welder was free and almost unused.(New retail price c£700).Greenhouse, gas welding kit (full bottles),Lawn mower, chainsaw, strimmer. But I have cleared out a lot of stuff too; car ramps, tools, radiators, furniture, computers, stairgates, children's toys, wife's car (I did tell her!)
GuyW

I had the same conversation yesterday re downsizing/decluttering to save the wife srress if I croak or become helpless soon. If I were alone though, I'd keep it all, even if I didn't use it anymore; including the Sprite.

But great idea Colin/Guy giving stuff to the men's sheds groups and the free groups. I'll have to check out my local groups to see what's around.

I wonder if anyone would like a load of free garden waste 😅😅. Got too much now and I resent paying the council. Guess I'll black bin bag it again, and load up the Sprite for a few trips to the council tip.






anamnesis

Guy

Any pics please?

Thanks
MIke
M Wood

Taken yesterday, Mike.
Pretty standard to look at, though bumper less as you see. The paintwork is not that good though at least it's all one colour!




GuyW

👍. Looks bloody nice Guy.

anamnesis

Photos can be deceiving! There is a paint reaction on parts of the bonnet. I have an isolating primer to go on, then another go with the top coats. Other than that its ok but with scope for a bit if tlc!
GuyW

Very minor issue imo.

No rust, great spec'. Paint blemishes don't matter much unless it's destined to be shown instead of used as it should be.

Have you a price in mind? Not that I'm buying. One Sprite is enough for me. Lol. Just being nosey. 😅.

Remember when it used to be 7up? 😉




anamnesis

GuyW. Remember many years ago we discussed some way of manufacturing Austin Sprite boot badges? I'm still thinking about that problem, and my Austin Sprite still isn't finished, and I'm a lot older and no longer as fit as I once was. I probably won't be able to finish it now, unless I pay someone else to finish it, so I'm very much in a similar position to you.
Not an easy decision to make.

Many years ago I was into amateur radio and short wave listening and got to know an enthusiast with the same interests. Some of the radios he owned were amazing, all the high end stuff from the 50s,60s and 70's some worth hundreds of pounds even in those days. I loaned him a fancy SW radio, then a short while later I got cancer, but luckily made a full recovery. A couple of years later I got up the enthusiasm to call him to see how he was and was told he had died from a heart attack the year before. I enquired about the radio I had loaned him to be told by his widow that all of them had been disposed of. His wife had ordered a couple of skips and dumped the whole lot.

Rob

MG Moneypit

I posted an Ad in the MASCOT magazine but only got a couple of replies and neither have come to anything. Wrong end of the country really.
So now its gone on Gumtree. I would have preferred the narrower Spridget community because of some of the more specialist stuff that might be less valued on the wider market. But that's how it is.

Link here, if anyone is interested!

www.gumtree.com/p/austin/austin-sprite-1971-1275-5spd-t9

Ok, I don't know why that doesn't work as a link but copy and paste might?

Nope! That just gets 404 and a cat. Never mind!
GuyW

Maybe https://www.gumtree.com/p/austin/austin-sprite-1971-1275-5spd-t9-gearbox/1800086199
David Billington

Thanks David.
GuyW

Gumtree seems to have a thing about running ad blockers and complains when my script blocker is on and won't let me see the listing so they can p*ss off, I don't use Gumtree anyway. I only turned the script blocker off to use it briefly. If the car were closer I wonder if I would be interested, nice weather for it.
David Billington

I thought you just added the htpps: bit? Or is that what is called a script blocker? It's a whole world I know nothing about!
It's working for me now.
Ah, I think you mean you have an ad blocker? I do too, but it doesn't seem to stop Gumtree

I may copy the ad to eBay as well, later. I don't really like either!
GuyW

Car and classic is free too I think.

anamnesis

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2026 and 08/07/2026

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