• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Good sources to buy a Spridget?

Share this page

V

vagt6

Guest
Guest
Offline
Hello, all. I'm looking for a Spridget to purchase. You all may know me as a Triumph nut, but I drove a 72 Sprite for about 8 months (not mine) back in '73. Loved it, but never went back to MGs. Now, I'm ready!

So, where are the good venues for buying Midgets and Sprites?? Of course, I'm trolling the usual suspects: eBay; Hemmings, craigslist and a few of the regional Brit car club classifieds. But what are other venues??

And, I intend to hit as many of the regional car shows as I can this spring, also. Might get lucky there.

BTW, I'm looking for a well-sorted MKIII Midget or Sprite ('67-'72ish), but I'd probably spring for practically any year or model Spridget as long as it's well-sorted: no rust, ready to drive on a long trip, good paint. Not concours, but a driver.

Your ideas of sales venues would be most appreciated.
 
I used the Collector Car Trader (cousin to Auto Trader) to find my Bugeye. Lots of Spridgets out there, good hunting to you!
 
There is a guy on the MGBexp Spridget board that wants to give away a RWA midget tub.

But to answer your question... look west young man!
 
Do a google on British car clubs and check their classifieds.

Use eBay for something near you.

Use this sites classified.

Don't rush.
 
"Don't rush" is very good advice, Jack! Will do!

Too bad it's not really practicable to travel very far to purchase one. However, with DC/Baltimore to the north and NC to the south, I'm sure I'll find one with my name on it.

Guys, please keep me in mind. It's gotta be a nicely sorted example.

Thanks for all the input! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif
 
John, what's the "MGexp spridget board"? Can you post a link?

Thanks!
 
I've purchased a couple different ways, including Ebay. I really like "word of mouth" leads best. You can ask questions, see and maybe drive the car, and find out a little of the "history".

I do a lot of shows and regularly hear the "...my Dad (insert uncle, girlfriend/boyfriend, neighbor, etc.) had one..." stories, and occaionally the '"...I've got one of those...(insert insert uncle, girlfriend/boyfriend, neighbor, etc.)...would you be interested in buying it?"

I know where there is a '66 Midget right now, a nice clean driver, that's offered for about 50 cents on the dollar (half of the purchase price of the car + improvements). Nice car for the $4000-$5000 it will go for.

Asking here is a good start; I'm sure most clubs are represented by the folks on this list and I regularly see references to the Ebay postings.

Ray
 
Took my own advise. Fly down drive it home.

1979 MGB Roadster w/ OD

Mechanically excellent!, Maroon metallic repaint with newer autumn leaf interior, Wood package—dash, console & door handles and caps, Mountenay wheel, new black top w/ zip out window, tonneau, boot, new carpeting, luggage rack, new tires, new battery, Crane electronic ignition & coil, radiator, Halogen headlights, gas struts-boot & bonnet, GM 100A alternator, alloy valve cover, new clutch, O/D unit rebuilt, transmission rebuilt w/ new synchros, new poly suspension bushings, rebuilt kingpin/swivels, new brakes, lowered, ANSA exhaust, headers, Weber 38DGES “Outlaw” carb, Sony stereo w/ rear speakers, Receipts, Workshop manuals, spares, approx 113K miles, Engine strong & smooth-burns no oil, 75psi cold & 45psi warm, De-smogged, Solid car with no significant rust-a few small surface spots only, Not perfect but this car was built to be reliable- can be driven anywhere, worn parts replaced, everything works and engine stays cool in the Florida heat. You know the story--- You can buy a $5,000 runner and spend all the time and $$$ making it reliable or you can buy this one and save yourself the work and the extra cash. --- $6,700 See Craig Dewey or 522-6060
 
hay, the yellow one works. I like it. Priced well.
 
Thanks. Saw that one, he's sending me additional pix and info.

"Collector Car Trader" also has a lot of LBCs, I see.

Thanks for the tips, guys!
 
I have my reservations: $2800 = too good to be true pricing for a nice driver.

If it looks too good to be true . . . /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif
 
But remember that it is in the Virginia Beach area which is a GI town and car prices are usually very low in military towns (for obvious reasons, sudden deployment,etc)
Bill
 
If this is the yellow car, he sent me one photo by email that really didn't reveal much. Said he was going to post more photos on craigslist.

I'm actually looking for a MK III 1275 Spridget, but would consider other models if they're in excellent cond.

I don't think this is the one, but it's great to see a few in the marketplace. I'll keep lookin' . . .
 
If it looks too good to be true go see it with a magnet and a compression guage. Or ask some one here that is close to look for you.
 
Will do, thanks, Jack.

And, the same goes for others here on the Forum: if you want someone to take a good eyeball look at a car that's near me, just ask and I'll be glad to help.

Charlottesville is 1 hour west of Richmond; about 3 hours west of VA Beach and about 2 hours south of DC.

Kinda out in the woods out here, but we have Interstate (I-64)!
 
I bought mine, in very similar condition for 2.5k, so I don't see the issue in price, mine was bought as a driver and I did so, I just chose to fiddle about with it.
Round arch Midgets are a little more desireable, but a magnet and a nice test drive should reveal any issues.
If I didn't have the one I have now, that one would certainly one I'd be looking at with intent...
 
Back
Top