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Just purchased a 1965 Austin Healey Sprite...

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robdmau

robdmau

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I was recommended by the Austin Healey thread to post under "Sprigets" so here I am, I just picked up my new toy, a 1965 Austin Healey Sprite and I am new to British cars so EVERYTHING is new to me . This one was a bit rough, was already primered so after a week we sent it to the auto body shop. They are skinning it down, replacing some rusted out panels and repainting her. Looks like I will be going with Riviera Blue after a kind post from the Austin Healey thread.

Is there any way to know how many Austin Healey Sprites were produced in 1965 with these colors?
 
Yes probably in the "bible" otherwise known as "Original Sprite & Midget" by Terry Horler, think it is still out of print but if you can get one of these books - grab it !
On that note many on this forum have access to this book if no one replies I will check my copy when I get home tonight.
Welcome to the forum, many, many great helpful people here!
 
if you could that would be great, and thank you for the welcome
 
Welcome, I too have a 1965 Sprite which was origionally Rivera Blue but is now A blue metallic after restoration. My VIN # is HAN8L43122, According to Horler the first MKIII chassis was HAN8-38829 produced january of 64, they really did not go by year, usually overlapping, the Mark IV started in October of 66 I do not know of anything telling the production run of a color.

A good book to get is the "Origional Sprite & Midget, The Restorer's Guide" by Terry Horler. They are available on Amazon for around $25. It totally describes each year and the options, colors etc.

Have fun on the restore, this site will be of enormous help and we like pictures.

Mark
 
Welcome aboard!
 
While not a Sprite guy, I have done a frame-off restoration on 3 cars (2 Classic Mustangs and my Healey) and have painted 4 cars.

If they haven't actually started on the paint job and if you haven't already done it, I would do ALL of the mechanicals (driveline, brakes, interior, et. al.) BEFORE I painted the body.

I learned the HARD way that if all of that is not done, you will undoubtedly scratch something while crawling in and around the freshly painted body.

Tim
 
Where in Colorado are you?? There was a '65 Sprite for sale recently on Denver Craigslist....is this the same car? Just curious.

At any rate....welcome to the party!
 
well I'll be... the "bible" doesn't have that specific info. I do know that 5095 of the left hand drive, north america were made in 1965, but not broken down by paint code specific numbers.

Check out this website, they may have the info. for you (for a price) through their archive services... a Heritage certificate is great to know the original specs of your specific car, but still doesn't give the specific production numbers based on paint colour that your looking for, rather the original as shipped specs for your car based on the VIN #.

https://shop.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/shop/heritage-certificates/index.html
 
Wow, you can tell Terry's book is out of print. Just checked Amazon, lowest price is $170 used..I think I'll wait. :smile:
 
mrsprite said:
Where in Colorado are you?? There was a '65 Sprite for sale recently on Denver Craigslist....is this the same car? Just curious.

At any rate....welcome to the party!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the welcome, I am in Aurora Colorado. Yes I purchased it off of craigslist, it was the redish primered colored healey with the factory hard top.
 
thanks for everyone's warm welcome
 
Cottontop said:
While not a Sprite guy, I have done a frame-off restoration on 3 cars (2 Classic Mustangs and my Healey) and have painted 4 cars.

If they haven't actually started on the paint job and if you haven't already done it, I would do ALL of the mechanicals (driveline, brakes, interior, et. al.) BEFORE I painted the body.

I learned the HARD way that if all of that is not done, you will undoubtedly scratch something while crawling in and around the freshly painted body.

Tim
Click to expand...

Well they are straightening the body now... Should be painted in the next week or so... Ya I never went through all that yet, it sounds like it is in ok shape, but I know that I will need to replace the driver rear brake cylinder and the master brake/clutch cylinder...
 
I just bought the Horler book on Amazon a little over a year agor for $28.00 and regularly see them on ebay for under 30

Mark
 
HAN8L1965 said:
I just bought the Horler book on Amazon a little over a year agor for $28.00 and regularly see them on ebay for under 30

Mark
Click to expand...

Seems like nothing available for less than $150 on eBay; prices reaching $200+ elsewhere.

I guess I will wait and hope the book goes into reprint. :smile:
 
Another '65 Riviera Blue Sprite owner here. VIN HANBL52605. Mine was repainted once, but in the original color. A great color choice IMHO.
1965_austin_healey_sprite_000.jpg
 
Wow, that looks great!! cannot wait until mine is done. I hope just another few weeks, then check the brakes and fix two leaks and she will be on teh road...!
 
Rob,
Here's my 65 Midget, original Riviera Blue paint and 18K original miles.
Hope to see yours at Spridget 50 this summer!

23ifqz7.jpg
 
I just realized I also need to find the paint code for the hardtop. Per the person I bought it from, he said this was an option and when his grandfather purshased it, the got the hardtop aswell.

Any idea how to find the proper color for the original hard top?
 
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