Shite Sprite idea...

[scaryoldcortina]

I was staring at a decrepit pile of parts in the corner of the garage yesterday, and had a brainwave...

 

There are a few problems with this little Austin-Healey, first, no engine (well, I have a broken one in a gazillion bits, and another siezed up whole one) second, no V5 (barn since 1971=not on computer) so it will need a DVLA inspection to get one. third, It isn't a Mk1, it's a Mk3 with a plastic frogeye front.

 

I could throw a small fortune at it and make it completely original again. I've worked out from the spares catalogues etc that if I spend about £5000 I'd have a minter... for several reasons this isn't a good plan.

 

I could also get a modern scrapper (like maybe an MX5) and transplant everything to make a supersprite (Morris Miata? lol) but that would fail the DVLA inspection and need a bum-raping BIVA test

 

So anyway, brainwave.. I tripped over a 1056 engine and box (HA viva) that has been lying on the floor since last year sometime, and decided on the spot that it would be a good idea to fit the viva lump to the sprite. That way I get it on the road and through DVLA inspection easily, and without spending much money on it.

 

Any thoughts?

[Station]

I'd do the latter if it meant a DVLA pass? Don't forget to rat it up though.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Sounds like a plan. A scruffy 'frogeye' running a Viva engine sounds like a great thing to visit AH club meetings in. Who the hell painted over that lovely blue with slimy green?

[scaryoldcortina]

Who the hell painted over that lovely blue with slimy green?

I dunno - I found it in a field looking like that

[scaryoldcortina]

come to think about it, I have an even rattier looking frogeye front lying around... complete with pond-effect rusted out spotlights, extra vents and faded rally stickers...

[seth]

Viva bits, get inspected, then Mazda bits, hillclimb/trackday/don't tell anyone!

[scaryoldcortina]

^^ nail -> head

[autofive]

no no wont someone think of the purists?what CC was the original engine?

[Albert Ross]

You need a 24V Cosworth from a Scorpio under there, or indeed a Prima from a Sherpa.........

[scaryoldcortina]

[MrDuke]

Viva bits, get inspected, then Mazda bits, hillclimb/trackday/don't tell anyone!

This +eleventymillionIf you remember the 'MG S2000' from RR09, you get the idea...

[aled]

that chamois in the picture looks good, is it for sale? i know somone looking for one.

[scaryoldcortina]

sorry, that pic is 2 years old.. chamois is long gone. (it got saved and put back on the road...)

[Parky]

Nah, do it! As long as the structure is sound, you can always convert it back to standard later should you be so inclined.Its better to see a non standard frogeye running about than no frogeye whatsoever. Still like the idea of the prima out of a sherpa though! Its the vehicle of choice for the anti-purist!