I’m new to this board, and so here’s my LBC story:
Four or five years ago I bought a ’68 Sprite, with a good drive train, a lot of new parts and a very rusty body. After looking it over carefully, I came to the conclusion that the body was beyond practical salvaging, and I decided to watch for a better body tub.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a fairly solid 1970 Midget, with a recently rebuilt engine and restorable wire wheels. The rear valance is kind of a mess, but the rear valance of the Sprite is solid and could be transplanted.
Now my choice is – do I build it as a ’68 Sprite or a ’70 Midget? I’m leaning toward the Sprite because I personally prefer less body trim, but with certain modifications.
My wife’s requirement is seats with headrests, so either way, it gets Midget seats. I would keep the Sprite seats if I go that way, in case someone wanted to go back.
Here are the changes I am aware of know I would need to make to the Midget body to make it a Sprite:
- Rear valance and taillight mount transplant, for the single rear bumper and smaller all-red taillights
- The Sprite cowl would need to be transplanted, for the dual windshield wipers and older style hood hinges
- The quarter panels would need to have the sidelight holes filled
- The wings would need the sidelight holes filled, and the turn signal mounts moved up an inch
- The rocker panel trim and badge holes would need to be filled
Any other big things I am missing? Any other considerations I should be aware of?
Thanks all – I can tell there is a lot of experience to draw from on this forum.
Four or five years ago I bought a ’68 Sprite, with a good drive train, a lot of new parts and a very rusty body. After looking it over carefully, I came to the conclusion that the body was beyond practical salvaging, and I decided to watch for a better body tub.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a fairly solid 1970 Midget, with a recently rebuilt engine and restorable wire wheels. The rear valance is kind of a mess, but the rear valance of the Sprite is solid and could be transplanted.
Now my choice is – do I build it as a ’68 Sprite or a ’70 Midget? I’m leaning toward the Sprite because I personally prefer less body trim, but with certain modifications.
My wife’s requirement is seats with headrests, so either way, it gets Midget seats. I would keep the Sprite seats if I go that way, in case someone wanted to go back.
Here are the changes I am aware of know I would need to make to the Midget body to make it a Sprite:
- Rear valance and taillight mount transplant, for the single rear bumper and smaller all-red taillights
- The Sprite cowl would need to be transplanted, for the dual windshield wipers and older style hood hinges
- The quarter panels would need to have the sidelight holes filled
- The wings would need the sidelight holes filled, and the turn signal mounts moved up an inch
- The rocker panel trim and badge holes would need to be filled
Any other big things I am missing? Any other considerations I should be aware of?
Thanks all – I can tell there is a lot of experience to draw from on this forum.