Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Continuing the occasional series of "personal recollections/experiences" threads, now for the MG Midget / AH-Sprite.

Have you owned either of these cars, or do you have one now? Did you like it, or was it too cramped, leaky and slow? Perhaps you raced one?

All memories, experiences and comments on the Spridget welcomed!

RJ
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[emmerson]

A memory from 1958.
The Sprite was then a brand new model, and a customer with a 2 month old one wanted to take it to Spain for a month. Petrol at that time in Spain was of extremely poor quality, so in preparation for this he had the engine stripped, and low compression pistons fitted, and I was given the job. He took it off to Spain, then on return I was asked to re-fit the original pistons. I don't know what it cost him, but it was one of the most unusual jobs I'd had in my tender 18 years! I took the car on road test, but it was awful, so I had to drain out all the rubbish petrol and refill with good stuff.
Btw, on road test, I thought it was a bl**dy awful little car, and fifty years on, a drive in my neighbour's 1970 Midget hasn't changed my mind!

[lowdrag]

Two memories really. The first of an AH Frogeye in 1963 when, after too many sherberts, we took a hump back bridge too quickly not knowing the road turned sharp right immediately afterwards. We trimmed the top half of the hedge and finished with the cows. Before that it was a delightful car and while slow was after all a "sports car" so had an effect on the opposite sex.

The second was SWMBO's - a round arch 1972 model in white with red interior. great fun and we toured Scotland with it, but the iron moth had it's way and it went to heaven. Currently negotiating for the new model SWMBO on one that has had a 100% rebuild (new shell etc.) including Moss stage 3 motor, not too dear either. This won't replace the touring material but will be to relive old memories and local trips/rallies.

[victor 101]

Drove one when I was a teenager and the only thing that sticks in my mind is that it was cramped.

[Jim.Walker]

I was the lucky owner at Easter 1960 of the first (Morris) Mini in this area.
Naturally it attracted a lot of attention and competition from sporty car owners. To which, at the age of 21, I was only too willing to repond.
On one occasion I was being chased by a frog-eye Sprite, which was holding its own but not making much impression.
Until (on my limits if not the car's), I took a left bend and looked in my mirror just in time to see the Sprite trying hard not to climb a lampost on the wrong side of the road.
I still wonder to this day WHICH was really the "sports car"?
Jim.
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[Doz]

I had a 1974 MkIII Midget for a while which I have to admit I loved it to bits. It was not always a happy relationship though, the time the arm sheared off one of the front dampers on a fast A road in the middle of the night particularly sticks in my mind! A few months later it started to handle peculiarly and, not knowing a lot about such things at the time, I took it to a local MG 'specialist' for diagnosis. 'Flat tyre' was his opinion, which not only cost me an hour or two's labour charges but also resulted in much mirth from friends. A couple of weeks after that someone put their weight on the door sill getting out of the car and the passenger side almost hit the ground where the collection of filler, newspaper, chicken wire and a 'lace doiley' of rusty metal that had (unknown to me) been masquerading as the sill finally fell to bits. Since then I've been a little more sceptical of specialists! Unfortunately it never turned a wheel again...

[richardlw]

This was mine


It was a 62 that had been very poorly kept. I bought it in early 66, replaced the clutch, brakes, upholstery and much of the body (a couple more pics on my site) and drove it like crazy til moving to South America in 68.

It ran Washington DC to New York on lots of weekends, $1.05 US for gas and $3.95 for tolls. One 10 gallon tank of gas up and back (500+ miles).

Ran many weekends through the mountains of West Virginia, and a Summer around northern New York State, and Vermont where (statute of limitations now passed) I can admit to outrunning all the cops. It wasn't fast off the line, but at 90 mph I could handle any mountain curve where no big Chevy could corner. Just had to make sure I was going downhill.

I kept the jack fully extended and for tire changes or brake adjustments I'd just insert it, left that side of the car and kick the base in place.
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