Follow My Spriget Blog As I Complete SpyderMite

[CARSINC]

Please follow me at my blog, SpyderMite as I build my vision of what might have been if the factory had decided to build a spyder version of the Sprite.
Blog is at 1965spridgetspyder.wordpress.com

 

[Trevor Jessie]

What constitutes a "spyder"?

 

[CARSINC]

What constitutes a "spyder"?

The Porsche 550A spyder, James Dean owned one, was a stripped down light weight street car that was capable of being raced. My Sprite Spyder is loosely based on that concept. Here are the fundamentals of the build.
1. 1965 Sprite with 1959 Bugeye front tilt bonnet.
2. The body seams have been welded and filled.
3. Porsche silver paint with clear coat.
4. Cherry red interior.
5. 1275 Mini S engine.
6. Datsun 210 five speed transmission.
7. Windshield will be chopped two inches.
8. Lexan windshield..
9. Roll up windows and vent windows have been removed.
10. All exterior chrome will be coated a platinum color.
11. Cut down grill.
12. No top, single roll bar behind driver seat with upholstered head rest.

The black racing stripes will be replaced with platinum colored stripes.

 

[CARSINC]

I'm currently working on the interior and was wondering, "Has anyone upholstered the dashboard of a Mark III Sprite?" I've seen a lot of earlier flat dash Sprites upholstered in either leather or vinyl.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Wouldn't a painted dash be more in line with a minimalist spider.

 

[CARSINC]

Wouldn't a painted dash be more in line with a minimalist spider.

The thought occurred to me while installing the door panels which are minimalist, no inside door handle, lock or window crank. So yes, a painted dash would be minimalist and that's how it will be. Thanks.

 

[CARSINC]

This shows how I covered the opening at the top of the door where the window glass normally goes.

 

[dwpirkeyjr]

The Porsche 550A spyder, James Dean owned one, was a stripped down light weight street car that was capable of being raced. My Sprite Spyder is loosely based on that concept. Here are the fundamentals of the build.
1. 1965 Sprite with 1959 Bugeye front tilt bonnet.
2. The body seams have been welded and filled.
3. Porsche silver paint with clear coat.
4. Cherry red interior.
5. 1275 Mini S engine.
6. Datsun 210 five speed transmission.
7. Windshield will be chopped two inches.
8. Lexan windshield..
9. Roll up windows and vent windows have been removed.
10. All exterior chrome will be coated a platinum color.
11. Cut down grill.
12. No top, single roll bar behind driver seat with upholstered head rest.

The black racing stripes will be replaced with platinum colored stripes.

 

[dwpirkeyjr]

Here is my effort so far.

 

[CARSINC]

Nice track car.

 

[dwpirkeyjr]

TY

 

[JPSmit]

Lover the racer aspect of it - it is crying out for a Harley muffler and possibly a reverse light delete (mine is now below the bumper)

Lousy pic but....

 

[dwpirkeyjr]

I never thought of the reverse light delete... I like yours.

 

[CARSINC]

I received my chopped or cut down grill from Bugeye Guy. I'll get it temporarily installed tomorrow with photos.

 

[HealeyRick]

Did you convert the Mini motor to run RWD? Seems like a lot of work.

 

[CARSINC]

Did you convert the Mini motor to run RWD? Seems like a lot of work.

The motor was installed when I purchased the car.

 

[CARSINC]

Carpet went in the passenger side today along with a test fit of the seat. Tomorrow I install the upholstered kick panels and an upholstered trim piece that I fabricated to cover some painted metal. I'll post some photos tomorrow. Right now I'm ready for the spa.

 

[CARSINC]

Lover the racer aspect of it - it is crying out for a Harley muffler and possibly a reverse light delete (mine is now below the bumper)

Lousy pic but....

View attachment 91504

Nice touring car for the two days of summer.

 

[JPSmit]

Nice touring car for the two days of summer.

Hey I resemble that remark!

 

[CARSINC]

The interior work on Spyder-Mite continues on the passenger side. The red vinyl was sourced from Moss Motors as was the carpet. While the vinyl is fine I recommend sourcing your carpet from Bugeye Guys. At some future point I may replace the cut pile carpet with a better grade of loop pile. I'm using 3M 77 spray contact adhesive. The black self-tapping screws were sourced from Amazon. Because the vinyl has a fiber backing the fibers get caught in the screw threads causing puckering. I think the solution is to use a leather punch to cut through the vinyl and fibers. There are some gaps where the heat shield material shows through so I plan to use some scrap pieces of vinyl to cover those. Only the outside door handles will be working so I may blank out the inside handles with vinyl.