Which wing - Austin Sprite
Discussion
Hello
I have an Austin Sprite (not Austin Healey Sprite) 1971. As you can see from the picture the side lights are not level. Which wing is the correct wing for the car? My guess would be the left hand wing (if you are sitting in the car). The other one just looks too low. Its such a lovely little car, I've got to change it so that it matches. Can't drive around looking wonky!
I have an Austin Sprite (not Austin Healey Sprite) 1971. As you can see from the picture the side lights are not level. Which wing is the correct wing for the car? My guess would be the left hand wing (if you are sitting in the car). The other one just looks too low. Its such a lovely little car, I've got to change it so that it matches. Can't drive around looking wonky!
Hmm , I may be wrong (I often am) but that bumper looks wrong for 71 - too thick, from an earlier car?
Wikipedia says that the 1970 model year introduced thinner bumpers.
what wheels does it have? Opps - they're in the photo, but not the pressed or cast originals
Wikipedia says that the 1970 model year introduced thinner bumpers.
what wheels does it have? Opps - they're in the photo, but not the pressed or cast originals
Edited by OverSteery on Friday 19th January 15:09
Just as a matter of interest, why 'Austin Sprite', rather than Austin-Healey Sprite? I've never heard of an Austin Sprite, but I did have a 1960 Mark 1 Sprite (often called the 'frogeye') and a 1967 Mark 4 Sprite and they were both Austin-Healey.
Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
p1esk said:
Just as a matter of interest, why 'Austin Sprite', rather than Austin-Healey Sprite? I've never heard of an Austin Sprite, but I did have a 1960 Mark 1 Sprite (often called the 'frogeye') and a 1967 Mark 4 Sprite and they were both Austin-Healey.
Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
Because BL had to pay a royalty to Donald to use the Healey name, so they dropped it.Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
Rarest of the breed in terms of Spridgets - if memory serves there were only just over a 1,000 made
Funnily enough the wings on my car were like that, so perhaps they were built like that and it wasn't the case as I've always thought of don't buy a car in the dark. When I ran mine, a friend had one as well making them quite common place, great car.
Funnily enough the wings on my car were like that, so perhaps they were built like that and it wasn't the case as I've always thought of don't buy a car in the dark. When I ran mine, a friend had one as well making them quite common place, great car.
as poster above said its the wrong bumper for year of car. Austin sprites were 71 as I recall and the 69 facelift brought in the slimline bumpers, rostyles and matt black sills. The higher sidelight is correct for the thick bumper, the lower sidelight wing is correct for the year of the car.
There are loads of spridgets with mismatched wings about as I think at one time only one type was available but both types rusted as easily.....
There are loads of spridgets with mismatched wings about as I think at one time only one type was available but both types rusted as easily.....
5MUG said:
Hello
I have an Austin Sprite (not Austin Healey Sprite) 1971. As you can see from the picture the side lights are not level. Which wing is the correct wing for the car? My guess would be the left hand wing (if you are sitting in the car). The other one just looks too low. Its such a lovely little car, I've got to change it so that it matches. Can't drive around looking wonky!
Your front wings are for different ages of Sprite. The higher position for the side light and indicator is for pre 1969 facelift cars (nearside wing). This position went with the bigger front bumper which you currently have on your car and the chrome grille which you also have. Both of these items were only on Austin Healey Sprites.I have an Austin Sprite (not Austin Healey Sprite) 1971. As you can see from the picture the side lights are not level. Which wing is the correct wing for the car? My guess would be the left hand wing (if you are sitting in the car). The other one just looks too low. Its such a lovely little car, I've got to change it so that it matches. Can't drive around looking wonky!
By the time the Austin Sprite was in production it had a slimmer front bumper and recessed matt black grille. It also had the matt black sills with Sprite script behind the front wheel. Your other front wing (offside) has the sidelight position correct for this period.
So, your offside wing is correct for the car, but given the changes to the bumper and the grille your nearside wing is correct for them!!
OverSteery said:
p1esk said:
Just as a matter of interest, why 'Austin Sprite', rather than Austin-Healey Sprite? I've never heard of an Austin Sprite, but I did have a 1960 Mark 1 Sprite (often called the 'frogeye') and a 1967 Mark 4 Sprite and they were both Austin-Healey.
Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
Because BL had to pay a royalty to Donald to use the Healey name, so they dropped it.Sorry, I can't answer the question about front wings.
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