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If you need a back seat...

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SaxMan

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...what would be the car that would give you the closest experience to driving a Spridget? Does not necessarily have to be a roadster. Based on hanging out on the BCF, I imagine it would be a Mini or an Austin 1300. I know it's not going to be equivalent...but close would be fine.
 
Austin 1300 or MG 1100 or a (real) Mini! I've had 2 of the 3 and loved them!
BillM
 
Morgan 4-4
 
Trevor Jessie said:
Morgan 4-4
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I took a look...WOW. Those are some seriously cool cars. But, they are also accompanied by a very seriously high price tag, too! For the Morgan's price, I think I'd rather go with a 2+2 Big Healey.

I've been kicking around the idea of taking on another project (Yes, I would keep Baby Blue). If I ever bite off on one, it has to have a backseat so the entire family can enjoy. Right now the two things holding me back are space in the garage and funding. I can probably take care of the former with some effort, as the Sprite can fit in the garage perpendicularly, if I can clear the spot for it, but the latter may take some doing.
 
Perhaps sacrilege, but I would take a serious look at a Corvair. not outrageous cost and just that much more room.
 
JPSmit said:
Perhaps sacrilege, but I would take a serious look at a Corvair. not outrageous cost and just that much more room.
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JP, you and I must think alike, because the Corvair was one of the vehicles on short list, as there is room for four, and you can still have the top down experience. In addition, my grandfather used to own a '64 Corvair convertible, so there is that angle as well. There's one on CL not too far from me at a reasonable ask, too.

I also have an affinity for pre-1970 Jeeps. They certainly won't drive like a Spridget, but you definitely get the open air experience. Old Jeeps are just a different kind of fun. The biggest issues with old Jeeps are rust, rust, rust and rust. And once you deal with those rust issues, then you have to deal with more rust.

Still, the Austin 1300 and MG 1100 definitely pique my interest, even if they are saloons.

Now, I just need to win the Powerball tomorrow night, and then I can put my plan in action!
 
Covair owners are a good group. Much like spridget people.
 
4-door cars do tend to be cheaper. I've contemplated more of a touring car some day, even a 4-door American sedan from the 50s or 60s. Just something different.

I do like old Jeeps as well. My daily driver is a Jeep Wrangler, very good fun. Have had a couple FJ40 Toyotas in the past as well, and I do miss them. Parts availability for old Jeeps is incredible too.
 
I've always shy'ed away from convertible's with a back seat. The people in the back get beat to death by the wind!

Early MGB with the removable top! You would be surprised at how many people you can get in one! [personal experience] Maybe not comfortably.

Kurt.
 
I used to "borrow" a friends '87 Wrangler with the Iron Duke four. It had 167,000 miles on it, and the motor was incredibly noisy and clattering away. One time at a stop light, two kids turned to look at what was causing all that racket. I looked back at them and said "It's a diesel", and both nodded their heads in agreement. Still fun to drive.

I had an '85 FJ60. I used to call it a "UV" because there was nothing sporty about it to warrant an "SUV" moniker. I postulated that they only made the FJ60 available with a stickshift, otherwise, one would fall asleep while waiting for it to get up to 60 mph. Still, when the pavement ended or mother nature dumped a lot of white stuff on the ground, it really came into its own.

I find most car people tend to be a good group. I know I'm making huge generalizations, but in my experience those who know their cars aren't the fastest (like Spridgets) tend to be a bit more mellow than those who try to get their cars to turn sub-11 second 1/4 miles. I've found that pretty much anyone who likes to tinker is pretty similar to anyone else who likes to tinker, whether the subject is cars, bikes, boats, airplanes, trains, etc.
 
You might also want to check out a Suzuki Samuri- I have had both an old Jeep (CJ3) and a Sami and the Sami won hands down!
The newer Sidekicks are OK too but the Sami is just great and 4 seat and convertible (get the convertible version)
BillM
 
For a back seat at reasonable cost and "British Sports Car" feel, I'd say the MGB-GT would suit best.

It's an admittedly modest-sized back seat, but it's there for sure.

Others.....

An Austin America could be a decent choice (I had several of them....avoid the auto trans versions but otherwise a nice car).

A Triumph Herald (or better yet, a Vitesse) might be OK too (especially a convertible version) . Rear seats are decent size.

5000614550_041ee2a278.jpg
 
Volvo 122S as well. Always liked the style, engine is very British like, including SUs and optional overdrive.
 
I didn't realize the MGB-GT had a back seat. That's intriguing, as is the Triumph Herald.
 
There is a back seat in a GT, and it's fine if you have no legs. And are reasonably short. Think small children.
 
drooartz said:
There is a back seat in a GT, and it's fine if you have no legs. And are reasonably short. Think small children.
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Seeing that my 11 year old daughter is 4' 10" and growing, with most of it being leg, that doesn't sound like a reasonable option. Everyone seems to think she is going to end up being the tallest female in our family's history most likely topping out at 5' 8" or 5' 9". Of course, coming from a line of fairly short people, with a few outliers, that's not a huge accomplishment. Right now, the tallest female is my wife at 5' 4".
 
Billm said:
You might also want to check out a Suzuki Samuri- I have had both an old Jeep (CJ3) and a Sami and the Sami won hands down!
The newer Sidekicks are OK too but the Sami is just great and 4 seat and convertible (get the convertible version)
BillM
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I had a Samurai - and loved it! BUT, even worse than the Midget it was a buzzy car. If you drove more than 30 miles your ears were ringing for a very long time. This BTW is my biggest regret with the Midget is that it really isn't designed for distances. (and yes I know, people have - I have - and it was not fun)

Another direction COMPLETELY would be a large or oddball car from the 60's early 70's (I've got me a Chrysler it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sale)

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/dodge/polara/1709444.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ford/mustang/1599998.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/rambler/classic_770/1692765.html

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/pontiac/grand_ville/1696652.html
 
I would need to think small...have to fit both vehicles into a garage and a half. But, yes, American "land barge" convertibles would be on the list if I had room for them.
 
kellysguy said:
Check Samurai prices and you'll be shocked.
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Yes and when they came out they were about the cheapest vehicle you could buy. Should have bought a dozen and put them away. Had a friend that had a couple and we made a 400 mile trip in one. Brutal!!! but fun on the back roads when we got there.

Kurt.
 
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