Help ID This Car
05-05-2005, 10:44 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Help ID This Car
I know it's not a Corvette but I'd like to figure out what kind of car it is. The picture is of me at an early age, about 5 years old...I look like a natural huh? I think this is where the sports car bug bit me. The picture was taken in '69 or '70. I was adopted at age 6, this picture was given to me several years ago when I met my birth mother. I have no other info on the car. Thanks for the help.
05-05-2005, 10:49 PM
#2
Drifting
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I can tell you what it's not...
It's not an AC Cobra, Triumph TR2 or an MGA (nor a Jaguar 120/140).
Most likely an Austin Sprite (Bugeye). Earlier than later (MKI vs. MKII):
It's not an AC Cobra, Triumph TR2 or an MGA (nor a Jaguar 120/140).
Most likely an Austin Sprite (Bugeye). Earlier than later (MKI vs. MKII):
Last edited by SkunkApe; 05-05-2005 at 11:00 PM.
05-06-2005, 07:18 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
SkunkApe, thanks for the help. I agree, the car looks to be an Austin Sprite. The way the windshield frame attaches to the body and the door and hood lines are a perfect match. Also what little fo the dash can be seen in my picture and the convertable top.
I can't tell you how much time I spent looking through books on old cars to find out what this car is...before the Internet. I recently came across the picture in an old frame - post the pic on line and in less than 24 hours the mystery is solved!
The Austin Sprite looks like a neat car but a little bug eyed for me....glad I saw the error of my ways at an early age!
Thanks again, Semper Fi
Bill
I can't tell you how much time I spent looking through books on old cars to find out what this car is...before the Internet. I recently came across the picture in an old frame - post the pic on line and in less than 24 hours the mystery is solved!
The Austin Sprite looks like a neat car but a little bug eyed for me....glad I saw the error of my ways at an early age!
Thanks again, Semper Fi
Bill
05-06-2005, 08:46 AM
#4
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
My brother had an Austin Sprite. Cool looking but a real POS. If you drove it through a puddle, it would waste the whole elecrtical harness! Long live Lucas Electronics - the Prince of Darkness!
05-06-2005, 10:24 AM
#5
Drifting
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Originally Posted by 2TONE82
The Austin Sprite looks like a neat car but a little bug eyed for me....glad I saw the error of my ways at an early age!
I wouldn't dismiss the car on looks alone. A small aluminum block Buick V8 (215, 231?) will fit nicely under the bonnet! The ricers (and some of us Vette owners) wouldn't be laughing too long...
Last edited by SkunkApe; 05-06-2005 at 10:27 AM.
05-06-2005, 10:27 AM
#6
Drifting
Hey don't bad mouth the little guy! I had one of those for 3 years and it was a blast to drive 
you could take any corner at WOT in any gear. I drove that thing with the pedal to floor all the time it was a blast. I bought it new in '66 for $1800. Can't compare it to Vette, two different worlds!
you could take any corner at WOT in any gear. I drove that thing with the pedal to floor all the time it was a blast. I bought it new in '66 for $1800. Can't compare it to Vette, two different worlds!
05-06-2005, 10:27 AM
#7
Drifting
That is definitly a bugeye sprite - not the Sprite that was based on the MGB...very small cars but can be very fun....my preference was for my Large Healey - Austin healey 3000
05-06-2005, 07:02 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I wasn't bad mouthing the little guy...just glad I'm on the Corvette Forum instead of the Bug Eye Austin Sprite Forum...thanks again for solving this mystery.
05-06-2005, 07:06 PM
#9
Drifting
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Originally Posted by 2TONE82
...just glad I'm on the Corvette Forum instead of the Bug Eye Austin Sprite Forum...
Yeah, because you'd be having your club meets at the "English Tea Room" instead of Hooter's...with guys like these:
05-07-2005, 12:04 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
One of my fraternity brothers, in 1961, had a bug eye. Kept telling me his car was far superior to mine because it could stop quicker. I had a modified '57 'vette at the time.
Ya, he drank tea. I drank Iron City.
Ya, he drank tea. I drank Iron City.
