Tim Hendy's Journal

So, it's been a mix of success and failure putting the car back together. Some jobs have gone way easier than expected and others, well, there has been much swearing in my garage.

The interior is mostly habitable, the wiring is almost done. putting a Frogeye harness in a Mk2 shell was interesting, mostly the wires are a different colour and the connectors are different. I discovered Home Depot stocks and easy-splice connector which doesn't require much effort, so rather than switch connectors I've just cannibalised the old harness where necessary.

Fitted the flasher today, and the alternator has finally gone in where it should be.

The seat belts were a disappointment. They don't fit the factory mounting holes, but luckily the PO drilled holes in the floor for racing seats and these will do nicely. The third point of the belt will have to be on the rear deck, but the double-skinned part next to the top hooks is ideal for the job. some drilling required.

All in all, we're on schedule, maybe a little ahead.

Found the original California 'black plate' in the boot, which is neat to have. I've also worked out that the car, originally WHITE not yellow, has been repainted so many times I've spend the last few weeks doing little other than taking off paint. I'm going to have to give up at some point, throw a few coats of white over it and just drive it.

It's sitting with a Bugeye front on right now, and I don't think it looks right with the square tail and the squared off arches. I got some aluminum aircraft seats cheap at an auction so I will cut those up for seat bases and use Bugeye frames and backs to sit on.

I still haven't had a chance to start her up, although I'm confident she won't need a rebuild. I hit a snag with the wheel hubs, can't work out how they come off to refit the discs, but that's the next project ...

I ended 2013 with the purchase of another Sprite. Advertised as a '65, I walked into the seller's shop to see sidescreen doors and an early-style dash. The '65 was a '63, a late MkII with disc brakes and wire wheels.
My offer was accepted and just as soon as I work out where I'm going to put it, I'll let it skip the queue and become my 2014 project.

I was surprised to see how little rust is on it. Originally a California car, it's spent some time in WA and also the last decade in BC, but has never been stored out of doors. It's acquired green paint over its original yellow, and a late-model 1275cc motor and gearbox.

It is virtually complete and intact, the front panels have been removed (frogeye bonnet transplant a possibility since I have a spare), and the seats are missing.

I have an embryonic plan to put it back together to mk1 spec, so I could use the car while the frogeye shell is being restored, and then transplant everything back into it. A lot of work but I do get a car to drive this summer so I don't have to fret over all the parts in my garage. more to follow.

Sprite now sitting outside under cover, the Missus insists on making space for her Volvo now the weather is starting to chill. Hopefully the car will be able to go for sandblasting soon, so I can get a better idea of how much work it needs.
Meanwhile the engine build is progressing slowly. After discovering some non-matching parts I've had to use a Mini 998 as a basis for the build, and await a 948 crank to complete the picture.

the Mini pistons have siezed-on rings that I'm working on now before new ones can be installed, and I will have to fit the stock 998 cam until funds become available to buy a sportier one.

I am slowly collecting bits and pieces I need for the build, I found a nice Howley manifold from a Mini that should fit, and both HS4 and HIF6 carbs have come my way. I plan to fit a single SU for simplicity, at least at the start.

I now have a 998cc motor from a Mini with a rebuilt stock head, so that will be converted to RWD using the 1098 Midget motor that came (in pieces) with the Sprite. the 1100 probably has less than 10k on it, but it was taken apart decades ago and everything has a coating of rust making the Mini a more feasible unit to resurrect.

The 12g295 Head with need some restoration and the HIF6 will go nicely with that, while the HS4 will be more suited to the Mini head.

17.7.13

purchased barn-found 1960 AH Sprite mk1 with a spare bonnet in Langley, BC.
It's an original BC car that was put in storage from 1972-2013 and is in overall sound condition. Price $2000 Canadian.

Car came with a second 1098cc engine from which I will take the 295 head for use with the original block, which will get bored out to take Cooper +60 pistons, giving an engine size of approx 1048cc and a HIF6 carb. Should be a nice motor although the carb may prove a little large.

Today, went to see the gent who will be blasting and doing much of the bodywork on the car in Langley. It should be ready in early September.

T.