The Sprite Forum

Just picked up 1965 Sprite. Rust free, turns over, and I think I will have it running this weekend. I’ve never owned anything British, but I’m pretty good with a wrench. Next oldest vehicle is a 72 Nova SS, so after looking under hood I feel confident. I have no idea what I’m getting into, hoping to get some advice on where to start? I know it’s gonna need brakes, probably a clutch, and not sure if the top will need restored. Please, any help would be great. If I did something wrong or broke a rule, my apologies. First time posting. Just rolled it off trailer couple hours ago, so one photo is dark, can definitely get more tomorrow.

It looks like you found yourself a clean little car and you will get yours on the road a lot quicker than I will mine.

Hi Bryce. Clean little car.

If it has been sitting for a long time, consider back priming the oil pump. They drain and are not self priming, so if the oil has drained out of it from non-use, it will not build pressure and you'll destroy the motor.

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New business website coming soon
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More pics. Cleared out enough room to fit it inside. Something little to tinker on this winter. Worth the $500 I paid? Only disappointing thing was the top was supposed to be all there, but the frame is not. After I had paid the man, and loaded it, he had over 350 messages and kinda told me he thinks he sold too cheap. I thought it was fair deal? I think he kinda didn’t want to give me rest of top because he was upset for not selling for more. Well that isn’t my issue, I paid full asking price 3 minutes after it was posted. Not returned text or call but still have a little hope.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-11-14 06:51 PM by 7Point3Dzl.

May God be with you...


Now then, I'm not a religious person, but you may need divine intervention. You've been bitten by a bug for which there is no known cure.

When you drive this car you will get incurable grins. When you're not driving the car you'll wish you could get back in.

Every drive will be a test to see if the car will get you home again, and when/if it doesn't you will spend countless hours and $$$ so you can do drive it in another test.

You will learn obscure techniques that are applicable only to other British cars, with no knowledge transfer to modern equipment. . You will learn the difference between copper core and resistor spark plugs.

You are at the beginning of an unending scavenger hunt....(Avoid MOS$ as much as possible trying to find NOS parts.. even old used ones..

May God be with you...

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"the red thing"

Well I was already looking on moss for Distributor cap and dual brake and clutch master cylinder. What’s a better option?

I would say $500. You get a pretty darn good deal. I don’t know what it’s like they’re trying to find the frame for the soft top but they’re a little difficult here in Washington. I did lock out and bought two parts cars for $375 they both had Complete bows for the soft top. I kept one and sold the other car for $250 with the other bows. Not sure if that’s what they call them on British cars. Keep an eye on the place that you bought the car from and see if he list them for sale later.

That goofball needs to give you the top. What is the deal with some people? ,…sheesh.
That’s the top bow for that car,…it needs to be with that car.
Does he think he’s going to get a million dollars for it?
Seems pretty petty to me.

It is worth persevering with the seller about the soft top frame. It is specific to the Mk 3 Sprite / Mk 2 Midget. Earlier cars have a lower windscreen and later cars a bulky, fixed, soft top.

HE got a good deal with his sale, a rapid offer of the full asking price. The fact he undervalued his car is not your issue. At the very least a call, rather than text, or go to see him could be successful.

When fitted, the soft top fits and works very well and it fits very cleverly in the boot when packed away. A copy of the Driver's Handbook is available online via Spridget Guru's website.

The first pic you showed it looked as if the frame was all there. That model does not have the front header rail attached to the rest of the frame. Get a good manual and learn how to stow it properly.

Kurt

You’re right, the first picture was one listed in ad. Supposedly it was all there but now is lost. Going to reach out with phone call today. Fingers crossed. These cars seem like they nickel and dime you to death. Nothing seems like it’s crazy expensive. At least coming from working on Powerstrokes. Is the perfect little project

There are other great sources for parts, but Moss lures you in with their easy to use website. I will say, any rubber parts Moss sells you will last a year or less - tie rod end boots, steering rack boots, filler neck grommet, etc. It's all garbage.

British Parts Northwest is run and owned by enthusiasts - https://bpnorthwest.com/

There are tons of other specialists, like Bugeyeguy - https://www.bugeyeguys.com/
Winner's Circle - https://www.spridget.com/

And those across the pond too, but tariffs are killing the trade there.

Oh, and you might come across Mini Mania for parts, but it appears they are defunct. FWIW, I sent Brendan Mcrae at Mini Mani a couple emails over the past couple weeks, and he has yet to reply, so I'm assuming they are closed for good.

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