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If you need a back seat...

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Original Mustang. The 6 cylinder is affordable and parts are about as cheap and plentiful as LBCs. Good investment potential because someone will eventually want to buy it to drop a V8 into it.
 
bugeyepaul said:
Datsun 510.

Or maybe a 912
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Have you seen what's going on with Porsche prices lately? It's nuts. Non-running cars are fetching more than 10k. Don't even get me started on 911 prices!
 
I guess there aren't any Morris Minor fans here... a shame because it probably has the best variety selection of models of anything so far suggested, has virtually every part available as spares, (many of which are the same as Spridgets), and is even more upgradable, modifiable, and versatile. With over a million made, they are plentiful as well.

 
I've tried to like the Morris Minor, but it just doesn't work for me. Ultimately, I think my preference is determined much by driving position (which is why I'm not a fan of the Mini either). I prefer a low slung driving position. In the end, I do not care too much about how the car looks but rather how it makes me feel when I drive it.
 
I've seriously contemplated a Minor some day, built up as a touring car. 1275, 5-speed, frond discs, and back seats. I do like that so many parts are in common with the Spridgets. Maybe one of these days.
 
I saw that one on BAT and thought of it for this thread too, Rick. A little rough, but I like it.
 
drooartz said:
I saw that one on BAT and thought of it for this thread too, Rick. A little rough, but I like it.
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The A40 Farina is pretty much an MG/Austin 1100 with rear wheel drive. The 1100/1300 series will have a much better ride with the hydrolytic suspension, but the styling, seating position and size are about the same. The 1100's also come in a 4 door and an estate version with a roomy back seat. I've not seen a Farina in person, so not sure how roomy it is for rear seat passengers. Neither are easy to get parts for. I restored a '64 1100. It's a superb all around car, and due the the similarity of the Mini drivetrain, very upgradeable. I've even seen the Honda drivetrain conversions for them.

This was the car I restored...

https://bringatrailer.com/2014/08/03/clean-1964-mg-1100-2/

LRMG1100.jpgRFMG1100.jpg

Some b4 pix

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That is really pretty! love the colour
 
SaxMan said:
...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.
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Well....I bought a 2013 Abarth. It does have a bit of rear seat. I can say that the experience is a hoot.
With a bit of modification....not necessary but.....it will crank out nearly 200 hp at the front wheels.
No other car I have owned has come as close to my sprite in smiles per mile.
It does get a LOT of admirers. The exhaust note is pure Hooner stuff.
Seating for two in the rear....in a pinch.
Small and wicked. Not as small nor as wicked as Screamin' Mimi....but it Is FUN.
 
Did any of the Austin/Morris 1800 " Land Crab's" make it over here? After watching there performance in the old rallye footage from those days I kinda like them. I check UK e-bay every now and then and apparently none survive even over there.

Kurt.
 
nomad said:
Did any of the Austin/Morris 1800 " Land Crab's" make it over here? After watching there performance in the old rallye footage from those days I kinda like them. I check UK e-bay every now and then and apparently none survive even over there.

Kurt.
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They show up reasonably regularly around here - usually in need of a lot of work. I saw one earlier this month that another Vauxhall owner has - it needs a fair bit of work, and, like you I am dying to turn one into a rally homage!
 
Well, JP, if you happen to find two...give me a holler!

Kurt.
 
I took some measurements in my garage. To get two vehicles nose-to-tail to fit, I'm pretty much stuck with something along the size of a Spridget, maximum of 140 inches long, which puts the early Jeep CJs in play. However, if I get dollies and turn the Sprite 90 degrees, it will easily fit in the garage sideways, but I'm still limited to a vehicle about 180 inches long -- the size of a Corvair. Now the question is can I get enough junk out of the garage to make this feasible? Then, of course, comes the whole money part....
 
JPSmit said:
That is really pretty! love the colour
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Thanks JP... I just wish I had the garage space to have bought that car back from my friend when he sold it. It was a steal. The only reason he sold it was that he had a second kid, and moved to a place with only two garage stalls, whereas the previous garage could fit four. He kept his Mini for his fun car. He took first place in the Saloon Class in the big Oakland MG show a few years back. A Magnette took second.

It also made the cover of, and had a feature story in Idle Chatter in April, 2009.
 
Gerard said:
Thanks JP... I just wish I had the garage space to have bought that car back from my friend when he sold it.
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When it came up for sale in 2014 I had *just* bought my BGT -- if I hadn't, I would have bought that car. Such a neat shape, and enough in common with a Spridget to make spares easy to share. I was bummed.
 
David, don't be contemplating a big Healey with back seat family space as the motivating factor. It looks good but isn't at all functional as your daughter grows. There are a lot of reasons to own a big Healey (fun fun fun!!!!), but back seat space isn't one of them��
 
Thanks, Larry. I think a Big Healey is way out of my price range, anyway. At this point, the two leading candidates are a Corvair or a pre-AMC Jeep...I'm hoping that we can do the top-down experience as a family.

Are you in Florida yet?
 
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