Gary,
Parts are very easy to come by, Vicky Brit and Moss both carry them, just
like our Triumphs. Just about everything is available, however, the quality
of the some of the repros are questionable. However, again like we do with
our triumphs, a lot of us keep a lot of spares and parts when we run
across them. Likely if you need a part - someone on the list will have it.
More original parts, of course, are good. It would be nice to have the
sidescreens, cockpit aluminum surround pieces, badging, generator tach
drive, heater core shut-off valve, light switch, starter switch, (I'm sure
there are other difficult to obtain original parts, but this is all I can
think of off the top of my head)
There is a team dot net list - spridgets@autox.team.net These guys are
great (though often off topic) and know just about everything you could ever
want to know. It is probably one of the friendliest list in the team.net
world. You could probably even find a lister to go with you this weekend if
you ask. There are people from all over, and someone is probably close to
you.
The shock/damper boxes are a PITA to repair, check those areas. They have a
tendency to rust out and make the car fall to the ground. Of course sills.
Remember the sprites don't have a frame per se. The are most like unibodys.
So, sills are very important, as well as the stiffener beams that run in
front of the seats.
The original engine was a 948cc motor. Many people use the uprated 1275cc
from the later cars. The question is originality to power. Those BMC A
series motors are pretty much bullet proof. Original smoothcase
transmissions get often upgraded to the later ribcase ones. Again, it is
simply a matter of preference. The ribcase are better and offer a synchro'd
first. I still use the smoothcase with the 948.
I have several books/manuals here, so if you want me to check
engine/commission numbers and let you know what you've got, just send me an
email.
Bill
Spits and Sprites
(in various states of (dis)repair)
-----Original Message-----
From: Gbouff1@aol.com
Subject: '59 austin Bug Eye (Frog Eye), need advice ASAP
I will be looking at a '59 sprite bug eye this weekend. It's rough
according
to the owner and has been stored outside under a tarp for the past 3 years.
Engine was rebuilt 6? years ago and 3 years ago it was in an accident that
damaged the nose to make the car undriveable. He has a spare nose with good
sections to make one good one out of the two. He also said that the floors
had holes, but the body is straight and not sagging.
My question to anyone with bug eye (frog eye)experience. What should I be
looking at?
I'm pretty good with a welder, dolly and hammer. (My TR3A restoration made
sure of that) and I do a fair job on the mechanical end.
Are there parts that are difficult or impossible to find that I should makes
sure are on the car?
I don't know if it is the stock engine. Are some engines better than
others?
And anything else that you think I should examine.
Thanks for any help.
Gary Bouffard
Looking at a TR3 cousin
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