Introduction
Kulraj Singh Salh
The Frogeye sprite, that happy smiling face, cars today just don't have that charm like these of old.
Featuring an almost monocoque body construction, to help give the car a more rigid structure being an open top roadster, it was the first car to be produced this way in volume. It was quite a feat by BMC, keeping production costs down by reusing various components from brands under the overarching brand, priced at £669 from new.
This particular example is coming out of 20 years of ownership, and in that time they have covered ~8,000 trouble free miles in that time, the car a reliable little classic for them.
This auction listing was written from information supplied by Barbara the owner, having photographed the vehicle.
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We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.
Full Transparency
8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.
Vehicle Delivery
We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.
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I WANT ONEAsk Questions
Hi I owned this car when I was 20 that’s 45 years ago can you tell me about it and who you sold it to please
Hi Barbara, I just wanted to thank you for your honest assessment of the car. Like yourselves, if I am fortunate enough to win Poppy I look forward to 20+ years ownership.
I would like to carry out a full restoration, including a full respray in the same colour, refurbished interior, refurbished wheels etc.
Apart from the Clutch, is there anything else mechanical you are aware that needs attention?
I think it sounds safest to collect it on a trailer, to save the clutch and any further damage it might sustain on a drive back to the North Norfolk coast – would you agree?
Thanks and best wishes,
Ben
Hi Ben.
Thank you for your interest in Poppy.
As I have said she has hardly been out of the garage this year, so I agree with you, it might be a bit much to drive her to North Norfolk. The clutch has been replaced during our ownership and has done very few miles since. I can drive her as she is, but then I am used to her, for a new owner, arranging transport might be a good idea.
Hi Ben I owned the car 45 years ago when I was 20 good look with it
Hi, if time and money was not a problem. What would be your first job(s) you would carry out On Poppy?
If money and time were not an object, I think that after readjusting the clutch my attention would be on the chrome, paintwork and seat upholstery. Poppy has always been a car that has been for driving rather than looking at, and so these things have been a bit overlooked so long as I could drive her. Her gears can take getting used to, but I think adjusting the clutch will sort them out.
Is the rust that is visible on the wings needing welding or simply rub down, fill and paint.
Regards Tim
The seams on the wings feel pretty solid, and although there is rust there are no areas where the seams have parted company, so I would hope that rubbing down, filling and repainting would suffice.
Hi, I am interested in the car and I would like to know if I win the bid, if you could keep the car until I arrange transport. I would pay obviously just after winning the bid.
I understand that the car has front brake drums. Is that correct?
Would it be possible for you to pass the MOT, although I understand it is MOT exempt
Thank you
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel, Keeping the car until you can collect would not be a problem, depending on how long. putting Poppy through an MOT could be arranged if you are successful, this can be discussed at the time. The front brakes are drum brakes.
Hi there, lovely Sprite! What is the state of the chassis? Has there been any welding that you know of? What jobs if any need doing next? Many thanks! Simon
Hi Simon.
There has been no welding undertaken on the chassis in the 20 years we have owned Poppy. As far as I am aware the chassis is good, there have never been any problems identified. To be fair Poppy has not been on the road this year, but the engine sounds good, the exhaust emissions are clean and there has been no problem getting her in and out of the garage. The clutch may need some adjustment as the bite point is high, and her gear change takes a bit of getting used to. Most of the work is cosmetic with regard to rust on the wing seams and some bubbling on the lower edges of some panels.
Hi, Is the car currently roadworthy? If I win the auction, I intend to drive it home. Anything mechanical I should know about? Clutch engages ok? Gears change ok? Brakes work? (as well as can be expected on an Austin Sprite). Sorry to bombard you but its good to get a feel for the car before I bid.
All instrumentation and indicators etc were working when we filmed the cold start video. The clutch is ok but the bite point is high and it could do with adjustment, but is drivable. Gear changes take a bit of getting used to but all gears can be engaged, brakes and tyres are ok as far as I know. To be fair Poppy has not been out on the road this year but was running fine last year and only needed the fuel pump replacing and battery charging to get her running.
Vehicle Location
Market Rasen
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