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Just bought a '65 Sprite today.

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DesertSprite

Jedi Warrior
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Hello all,

Well, after floating around these boards for eternity I finally made my first LBC purchase. I bought a '65 Sprite today. Amazingly, it only took minimal convincing of the Wife for me to go ahead with the purchase. It received the highly sought, "it's cute" rating and thus joined our family.

Anyway, the car is pretty rock solid mechanically, a few spots of rust but nothing that a screwdriver would push through. It has a 1275cc motor that the previous owner put in it about 25 years ago. Other than that the car is a stock Mk.III.

Cosmetically, it has a ways to go. But that's okay. Evidence of at least three different colors on the body are apparent and the left front fender does have a ding in it. The interior will definitely need some refreshing. At least it doesn't have a lawn chair in the driver's seat.

Well, my first purchase is going to be a new top for the car as the current one has an opaque rear window. What can you guys tell me about Prestige Tops?

Looking forward to spending a ridiculous amount of money on a cool little car.

regards,
Joel
 
Joel, if the only thing wrong with the top is an opaque window, the window can easily be replaced.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Hey Joel! Congrats! ( finally! )

I can offer no advice on the top.
Attach a picture of this beast when you are able!
 
Hello again,

Thanks Nial, I know I've been lurking around here for over two years wanting to get into a LBC. I'll post some pictures as soon as I can. It is a bit of an ugly-duckling right now, but that will change in time (and as the bank account allows).

Keoki - the window is opaque and very brittle, it has a few good sized cracks in it already. I'm looking at replacing the top as a whole since the top does have about a 4 inch tear over the passenger seat. They seem to be a bit more affordable than Moss and the top has a zip-out rear window.

www.prestigeautotrim.com

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Joel
 
Congratulations on the new addition, Joel.
Of all my Sprites, one of the '65's is my favorite.
A black plate Ca. car, it lives at my brothers, west of Sacto. When I'm out there it sees a lot of the Napa valley twisties.
When you start doing the chores on yours, feel free, as always, to ask questions, as I've probably gone through the same issue on the green car. Except for the top! The PO had the windows replaced in it just before I bought it in '94, and frankly, the top doesn't get used that much.
Jeff /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Hi Jeff,

Don't worry, I'll be asking you guys all sorts of stuff over the next few weeks. I think the first things (after the top) that I'm going to focus on are safety items. Apparently MkIII's never came with seatbelts (?). So, that's number one. I plan on bleeding the brakes, checking the rotors, pads, etc. Sanding off any corrosion on wire connections for the lights is another thing I'm gonna do.

As for the top, the PO said he was pleased with the Prestige top he bought for his MGB and he told me to look into one for the Sprite. So, I'll give it a try and let you guys know how it goes.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif

Joel
 
I bought seat covers from Prestige and they worked fine except for one of the head rest covers. I emailed them a picture of the "defect", and they sent me a replacement at no charge. You might also check lbcarco.com. They have tops that are made by Don Trimmings (i think). They are similar in price to prestige.
 
Hi Trevor,

Thanks for that link. I checked them out and they seem to be pretty much the same price as Prestige. Did you buy a top from LBCarco? Good/bad?

Thanks,
Joel
 
Jeff at lbcarco may or may not have the top in stock. If he has it in stock, you will get it much faster than from prestige. Otherwise the time will probably be the about the same. I have not bought a top from lbcarco, but I've known others to be happy with their purchase from lbcarco. (But these were not spridget tops). Whoever you buy from, be sure you understand and clarify their return policy should you not be happy with the product.
 
You actually get better service from Jeff at LBCarco via email. But the prestige people can be reached easily via phone (remember the time diff.).
 
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