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'66 Sprite what am I look for?

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One other thought. I spent an entire afternoon trying to extract a set of wishbones from a Spridget about to be scrapped out. After I got the wishbones home and started cleaning them up I discovered both wishbones were cracked and were unusable. Wishbones on RB Spridgets are much heavier duty than on early Spridgets. If you look for a used replacement wishbone go for one out of a later RB Spridget. MOSS/VB sells two versions of Wishbones. The more expensive ones are similiar to the RB OEM Equipment. After seeing how problematic the early ones are, especially those not getting regular lubrication, I'd go for the later type wishbones.

Even if you opt to go for new Wishbones, your kingpins will need to be reamed to fit. Tool is $250 from MOSS, this is one easily outsourced to Peter C.'s crew.

I've done this twice in the past 10 years. First time I simply replaced really worn out parts with a bolt on complete suspension assembly from a later Spridget and just replaced rubber bushings. My rebuild last year covered everything from soup to nuts. It's not all that hard to do but is time consuming and you'll need assistance from other vendors generally to do it right. Happy to take any questions on what I did to get Bugsy handling like a go cart once again.
 
I will agree with Trevor. If you are going to change anything on the body its going to cost a bunch and in my opinion a bunch needs changing! The owners taste is a far cry from what I would consider attractive. Then there are the mods that are not visible. I realize thats just my opinion but the fact that this car has been looking for a buyer for sometime means it should be very cheap or a pass.

Kurt.
 
I will agree with Trevor. If you are going to change anything on the body its going to cost a bunch and in my opinion a bunch needs changing! The owners taste is a far cry from what I would consider attractive. Then there are the mods that are not visible. I realize thats just my opinion but the fact that this car has been looking for a buyer for sometime means it should be very cheap or a pass.

Kurt.
 
nomad said:
If you are going to change anything on the body its going to cost a bunch and in my opinion a bunch needs changing!
Click to expand...
From my understanding the nose portion is not drilled into the body and is easy to remove. He has the factory trunk lid painted to match the car and a soft top frame.
The shaved doors are a clean look (to me) so I'd probably leave them to be honest.
With that, I'm not seeing a lot of cost other than my labor to take these things off and the clean up of whatever lines that nose is making on the hood.

Help me out though, the body kit is removed what else should be changed? (this is an opinion question I know, but just for my understanding of what a more typical car would be).


nomad said:
...but the fact that this car has been looking for a buyer for sometime means it should be very cheap or a pass.
Click to expand...
I have been looking for a buyer for my Audi longer than I'd really like so I'm willing to take the dive. I'm planning on checking the car out on Saturday and I will have a more solid idea of what I'd like to do.

Quick history of my Audi: 1996 Audi Cabriolet. Audi's first attempt at a convertible and it's a very solid reliable car. It is my toy car for the weekends/sunny days. I bought it wrecked (strictly physical damage) and restored it. So it does have a rebuilt title. It has roughly 132k miles.
I'd like another toy car. The Sprite seems like it would also have a better return if I were to resell it.
 
If you don't mind a project then have at it! The hood, trunk and hard top are the major changes to the body and they do unbolt. I would use caution on the other things that the group has covered. If I were after it my main concern would be rust which I believe has been covered. Look over rear wheel arches, behind rear wheel, bottom of the hinge post, front of the rockers and hood. Also battery location and if you get it be sure to have the battery in a leak proof container or it will end up in your heater plenum. Try to find a pic of one with the stock factory hard top. I think you will like the looks of that.

Kurt.
 
I love a project!
I'm definitely going to go over it pretty thoroughly for rust. I've got an idea thanks to you guys on where to look for common spots.

He made it sound like re-installing the heater won't be a huge hassle. Is this something I should be concerned about? (I'm pretty comfortable with a wrench so I don't mind getting my hands dirty)

and you're right, I do like the look of the factory hard top
 
TysMagic said:
I love a project!
I'm definitely going to go over it pretty thoroughly for rust. I've got an idea thanks to you guys on where to look for common spots.

He made it sound like re-installing the heater won't be a huge hassle. Is this something I should be concerned about? (I'm pretty comfortable with a wrench so I don't mind getting my hands dirty)

and you're right, I do like the look of the factory hard top
Click to expand...

Heater is easy.
 
Just be careful connecting or disconnecting heater hoses to the heater core. Don't try to twist them off, don't ask me how I know. That's very soft copper pipe in there. IS wiring still there for the fan? Single wire as I recall.
 
Not sure about the wiring, I will have to ask about that...if it's a single wire I can't imagine having to much difficulty there. Probably have to put a fuse in the line and make sure it's connected to power that turns off with the car?
 
So I have finally experienced this car in person. I quite like it, but I'll still have to do some thinking.

pros:
-runs fantastically and does not smoke (idk if that's a problem, but something I looked for)
-no rust
-no odd noises from the transmission, shifting was actually quite smooth
-breaks are strong (disks in the front, not sure if that's factory but nice)
-all brake lines and running gear has been restored/replaced
-interior is well done
-everything works
-heater and all wiring is there
-1 off body kit, custom made fiberglass which is kind of cool
-he does have everything to put it back to a regular sprite
-the car does have a title (something I see as a plus for an older car)


cons:
-I'm sure that nose has rubbed lines on the hood (pro-ish those would make great spots for stripes)
-the hardtop is attached so that it's difficult to take off. Part of the fun of this car to me is being able to take the top off (66 is the last year of the removable soft tops from my understanding?) and cruise around. That would need to go ASAP
-needs a new battery (cost?)
-w/ top design and body modded trunk, the trunk doesn't open. That would go.

Questions:
-Overdrive options? It's a four speed w/ 3.90 rear end and from the test drive 50 mph is around 4500 rpms in fourth gear. I'd be taking it back home (~2 hours) and I can easily avoid interstates. For long term, is there an over drive option available and what kind of hassle am I looking at?
-Heat! With the fiberglass top it was hot. I've experienced it with old muscle cars, the transmission is right there at your side essentially. With the top off, does it still feel as hot? (yes that's an opinion question, but this was not something I anticipated)
-I'm sure I'll have more as time goes by
 
Just looked over the pictures and see that you have no way to get ventilation air into the car with the mods that have been done. Air usually comes in thru the grill and is routed thru the heater box. Hardtop in TN this time of year would be a bit warm anyway. When its really hot we are using a top with a zip out rear window. Just warm, the top is down.

Kurt.
 
Check out Rivergate Restoration for a 5 speed.

Kurt.
 
nomad said:
Just looked over the pictures and see that you have no way to get ventilation air into the car with the mods that have been done. Air usually comes in thru the grill and is routed thru the heater box. Hardtop in TN this time of year would be a bit warm anyway. When its really hot we are using a top with a zip out rear window. Just warm, the top is down.

Kurt.
Click to expand...


That makes a lot of sense!
 
I'm still tossing around a yes or no on this car. I'm thinking because I'm not 100% sure I may have to pass up this chance. I do like it and it would be a lot of fun, but a cash buyer has gotten back to me on my Audi so I may have to take her offer.
 
nomad said:
Check out Rivergate Restoration for a 5 speed.

Kurt.
Click to expand...

Seriously... ?
 
And Gerard as a source for 5 speed.
My excuse is that I was tired!
Knew I should have also referenced you as well as soon as I hit summit.

Kurt.
 
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