Erik & Jax's AH Sprite Project
Home Page: Erik Hall
Raleigh, NC, USA
| Total Posts: 63 | Latest Post: 2026-01-24 |
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10 OCT 18
Something that Dad and I wanted to do from the start of the body work is clean up Tracy's lines, and the reflectors and license plate light had to go.
These were fairly easy pieces of body work, but I wanted to highlight something for those that may wonder how to do this without welding. Since the reflectors and the light are attached with holes too big to fill with bondo, we chose to use fiberglass on the backside of the holes. You'll notice in may of our other body work posts that we used a good bit of fiberglass. Dad had used this in the past with Papa on boat repair jobs, so he was comfortable with it. Also, welding is just not something that everyone has access to and can do. So this is a great, simple alternative.
We deleted all of the fender reflectors(4) which were pretty easy. When we got to the license plate, however, it got more interesting. As you can tell looking at the photos below, Tracy had backed into something or been hit from behind at some point. This was hidden when the license plate was installed but became very apparent after some light sanding. We also covered all of the bolt points for the rear bumper using the same fiberglass technique as we did for the reflectors.
I know many of you are thinking, "How can you delete the reflectors and bumpers?" The common thought is that we're making the care dangerous to drive. Reality check: (1) the paint job we're dressing Tracy up with will more than correct for the loss of the reflectors and (2) modern car's bumpers are 3-6" higher than a Sprite's...they are not protecting the car or you from anything but hitting a wall.
Note: We also deleted the wing mirror mount holes on the front fenders (let's all admit that these mirrors are worthless), radio antenna hole (this is a big one in a difficult place to bondo due to the angles and curves), the jacking holes on the sills and the holes for the "Sprite" badge on the trunk. For the Sprite badge we reinstalled it, but off to this side as part of our paint job (you'll understand when you see it).
- Jax
Something that Dad and I wanted to do from the start of the body work is clean up Tracy's lines, and the reflectors and license plate light had to go.
These were fairly easy pieces of body work, but I wanted to highlight something for those that may wonder how to do this without welding. Since the reflectors and the light are attached with holes too big to fill with bondo, we chose to use fiberglass on the backside of the holes. You'll notice in may of our other body work posts that we used a good bit of fiberglass. Dad had used this in the past with Papa on boat repair jobs, so he was comfortable with it. Also, welding is just not something that everyone has access to and can do. So this is a great, simple alternative.
We deleted all of the fender reflectors(4) which were pretty easy. When we got to the license plate, however, it got more interesting. As you can tell looking at the photos below, Tracy had backed into something or been hit from behind at some point. This was hidden when the license plate was installed but became very apparent after some light sanding. We also covered all of the bolt points for the rear bumper using the same fiberglass technique as we did for the reflectors.
I know many of you are thinking, "How can you delete the reflectors and bumpers?" The common thought is that we're making the care dangerous to drive. Reality check: (1) the paint job we're dressing Tracy up with will more than correct for the loss of the reflectors and (2) modern car's bumpers are 3-6" higher than a Sprite's...they are not protecting the car or you from anything but hitting a wall.
Note: We also deleted the wing mirror mount holes on the front fenders (let's all admit that these mirrors are worthless), radio antenna hole (this is a big one in a difficult place to bondo due to the angles and curves), the jacking holes on the sills and the holes for the "Sprite" badge on the trunk. For the Sprite badge we reinstalled it, but off to this side as part of our paint job (you'll understand when you see it).
- Jax
Front fender reflector
Rear fender reflector
Rear bumper points and license plate light
License plate light and rear dent (behind the license plate)
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