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'63 Sprite opinions

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'63 Sprite opinions
#1
John Hamilton Avatar
John Hamilton
Gulf Breeze, FL, USA   USA
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1963 Austin-Healey Sprite
1965 MG MGB "The Great Pumpkin"
1968 MG MGB GT "Buck"
1970 MG MGB "Dad's Car"
I know it isn't an MG, but the first sports car I remember is my Dad's '63 Sprite. I recently picked one up from another forum member and it needs a complete restoration. I'm not usually a purist, so I'd like opinions on wether or not to swap in a 1275 and disc brakes. I know the advantages, but is a Mk 2 Sprite too valuable to modify?

Thanks, John


If I can't be fast, I'll just be obnoxious!

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#2
littlecars Avatar
littlecars David Bassett
Nashville, TN, USA   USA
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1963 Chevrolet Corvair "Cheeto!"
1965 Chevrolet Corvair "Ski Team Transport SOLD!"
1965 MG Midget MkII "Buffoon --- SOLD!!!"
1966 MG Midget MkII "Swiss Cheese...SCRAPPED"    & more
I think the upgrades you describe are perfectly acceptable for an early Sprite. If it was a Bugeye, you would want to tread carefully on any mods. Many before you have upgraded Early Spridgets to discs in front and the indestructible 1275 motor.

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#3
MC-5C Brian Evans
Tatamagouche, NS, Canada   CAN
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1961 MG Midget
It's not like those mods are irreversible. Just keep the old suspension/brakes/engine/transmission in a corner, and the next guy can decide if it's valuable. OTOH, a period car is perfectly OK to drive just the way it is, just a little slow to start and stop.

Brian


Brian Evans, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
1961 MG Midget G-AN1-L218, 1964 Mini Traveller, 1979 MGB LE Canadian edition.

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#4
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TheLastDeadMouse Tim Vollmer
Potsdam, NY, USA   USA
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1972 MG Midget MkIII
With these cars, unless you're talking about a bugeye or something that's 100% bone stock and in amazing condition, mechanical upgrades of the type you're talking about generally don't hurt value, and if done well may increase it. As long as the work is high quality, I'd expect a 63 with a 1275 and disc brakes to sell for the same or more than a 1098 with drums in similar condition.

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#5
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RedDuck Gold Member Richard P.
Jacksonville, FL, USA   USA
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1963 Austin-Healey Sprite
John,

If it is a '63 Sprite it should already have disc brakes in the front. With a 1098 or 1275 engine in it I do not think discs in the rear would be necessary.
A nice Mark II Sprite or Mark I Midget is worth more than any of the other square body cars of comparable condition.

Richard

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#6
Perambulator David D
Phoenix, AZ, USA   USA
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If you plan of driving it much or driving it hard, the 1275 with a 5 speed is the way to go. Disc should be there already no?

Another thing to consider is that a fresh suspension transforms these cars. I see so many go to aftermarket suspension mods trying to make the car work better, when all it needed was a refresh of the factory stuff.

And sticky tires. 200 treadwear is the way to go with these cars.

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#7
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200mph Platinum Member Mike Joy
Winston-Salem, NC, USA   USA
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1965 Ford Ranchero
1967 Austin-Healey Sprite
1969 Austin-Healey Sprite
1970 Datsun 240Z    & more
Good to do, acceptable upgrades:

1275 engine
5 speed conversion
negative ground conversion
alternator instead of generator
front disc brakes
dual master cylinder and piping
two speed heater fan
Later, taller rear end ratio... 3.90 or 3.73
Later EN17 axle shafts
Later cross flow radiator w/electric fan

IMHO, none of these changes will devalue your car, all are easily reversed if desired.

The 1275 and 5 speed should add about $1000 of value.

We raced Spridgets for years with rear drums, discs are unnecessary on a street car.


to paraphrase Mark Twain:

. . . . . "I never learned anything when I was typing! . . . . . MG

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#8
oldmansimek Avatar
oldmansimek Ryan S
New Milford, CT, USA   USA
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1963 MG Midget MkI "Black Duck"
I have a 63 midget and I swapped in a 1275 and kept the old drivetrain in case I ever sell it, the rest of the car is completely original (it came with front discs) I would not put rear discs on not needed at all. I dont think it will take away from the value if anything it might help it I doubt there are too many people looking for a 100% original car they are mostly looking for something that looks and runs good and you cant really ask for better then the 1275 and it still looks completely stock.


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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#9
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nonracer Steve Codianni
AZ, USA   USA
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1962 MG Midget
1965 MG Midget
1968 Triumph GT6+ (MkII)
1971 Volvo P1800
Im surprised no one has mentioned that the car could be an earlier one since it has drum brakes, we all know these cars were titled the year they were registered . My Midget is titled as a 1963 but with the help of forum members it was determined to be a 1962 . As far as the upgrades I think most people here are on the same page especially if its all "bolt on " parts , Im the last person to keep anything stock or original so I say do whatever you want to it but I understand the need to keep these older more rare cars original. Value always seems to come up in these conversations and unfortunately these cars just don't bring high dollars and like most restorations ( for most cars) the cost far exceeds the value but who cares .

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#10
MC-5C Brian Evans
Tatamagouche, NS, Canada   CAN
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1961 MG Midget
What is the serial number, that makes it easy to date.


Brian Evans, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
1961 MG Midget G-AN1-L218, 1964 Mini Traveller, 1979 MGB LE Canadian edition.

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Re: '63 Sprite opinions
#11
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RedDuck Gold Member Richard P.
Jacksonville, FL, USA   USA
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1963 Austin-Healey Sprite
In reply to # 3409725 by MC-5C What is the serial number, that makes it easy to date.

Brian,
Your Midget Mark I is a very early car. The first car was made in March '61 ( GAN 1-101) Announced in Jun '61. The first car built in '62 was GAN1-7526. The last GAN1 was built in October '62 was ( GAN1-16183 ). Information from the Terry Horler book " Original Sprite & Midget".
Richard

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