I just put down my deposit on a re-VINned 1992 Mini Sprite! I found it on MiniMania.com's classified ads. It's in NJ. It's a carburated 1275cc. No stereo, no-nonsense (at this point).

The car looks pretty good, but it does have some corrosion in the wings and inside one of the door panels that I'll need to attack this winter after I put the car up for the season bwefore it can get any worse. Some of the local classic experts in my area (thanks a MILLION, Paul S, if you're reading this!) have been a great help, as have people in here - thanks to you all.

I'm planning on picking it up next Thursday and should have it for the Fourth of July! Now I wish I'd gotten into the local Independence Day parade - it would have been fun to show off that way. Oh well...

Here are some pics.

 

Very nice looking car Matt. Right hand drive too!

Here's a driving tip for right hand drive cars.....

If you pull out to pass & Kara screams don't pass,
that means there's a car coming.

 

Grats on the classic!

 

Congrats! Looks like a good one!! Very Clean.

Nik

 

Welcome to the maddness

Very nice looking car! Enjoy the heck out of it. I drove mine into work this morning. Actually makes going to work rather fun

 

Bwahaha!

Yeah, RHD was one of my criteria...

 

Congrats Matt. That is a clean looking sprite edition you got. Where in NJ? wish I had the cash get one myself.

 

East Windsor... Hopefully we can hook up - it's always great to meet other MINI folks.

 

Looks like a nice little classic you got there! Now, just think. You have a car that you own to do mods on, instead of using your lease

 

NIIIICE! What is it going to be.....NANO II ?

 

Welcome to the classic mini club!

 

Congrats!! Looks nice

 

I don't know... What's red and small? I almost used "Particle" as the vanity plate for my orange car, but Kara thought that nobody would "get it". See, to me that was a PLUS. I'm thinking "The Gnat" (assuming that I can still get that plate in Ohio).

"Nano Jr." would be fun too.

 

glad to see you finally found the classic mini that was looking for you .........congrats and feel free to ping me if you ever need anything....

 

That's where I live! Hope to see you.

 

Actually, I might take you up on that, Norm, so be careful what you offer.

I'll probably be looking to clean up the engine bay this winter... Everything works great according to the current owner, but as you can see it's not pretty:



I definitely want to paint the head unit and clean things up in there...

Also, do you know if the wings and the door panels can be removed, sanded on the insode and re-sealed to extend their life, or if I have no other option but to totally replace them now that I've started to get a bit of paint bubbling? The current owner says that they were like that when he purchased the car like 2 years ago and that it's not gotten any worse, but I'd like to extend their life if I can. I've found the replacement parts and they're not TOO expensive, but getting a match on the paint color may be a bear since red is an infamously fade-able color...

 

Looks good, I hope it keeps you busy (but not too busy!)

 

Actually Matt, that doesn't look too bad. Good honest dirt, not all tarted up for a quick sale. I loved detailing the engine compartment on my MG. That little thumper of yours would look very good with a finned aluminum rocker cover. Then you can covert the original to a rocker cover racecar!

 

IS THAT what they were talking about at the British Car Day when they were doing "Rocker Cover Races"? I had no idea what the heck they were talking about! That actually sounds like a blast.

I'll check on the finned aluminum (or is it an "al-u-MIN-ium" since it's British?) cover - I've seen those on other cars and they look great. I wish there were some easy way to paint the rest of the block a nice contrasting color - I think yanking out the motor just to paint it would freak Kara out. That's excessive even for ME.

 

I wouldn't pull the engine to paint the block. You can remove all of the attached bits & then mask & paint. You will get a pretty nice job that way.

As for the al you min ium rocker cover...... You could get one for a AH Sprite that says Sprite on it. Way cool me thinks. It will bolt right up too.

 

Nice Mini
If you want to paint the engine block in situ, it can be done by removing the chrome grille, starter motor, alternator, etc to gain reasonable access.
The wings can be sanded from underneath in situ but if removed they are spot welded on so for the price/damage you would then replace them anyway.
In the UK you can buy plastic front wheel arch liners similar to those fitted on modern cars (for about £60).
The doors are double skinned so access from inside is restricted to various cut-outs behind the door card. If not too serious best to repair the rust on outside door skin and then spray coat the inside of the door cavity (especially the bottom) with something like "Waxoyl" or the USA equivalent to stop it happening again. Also keep the small drain holes clear.

 

Really - a cover for an AH will fit? That would be way cool! Where would I look to find that do you think?

I've seen plain units like this over at MiniMania for about $65.

I'll have to get in there and see where those drain holes are. The car was just restored like 2 years ago, so hopefully the are still clear. I'll have to check on the plastic wheel well liners - that's a great idea. Good to know about the wings being spot welded on - I didn't know that. I'll try and see if a repair can be done with the units still on the car. I agree if I'm going to go to that trouble that I might as well just replace them altogether. I'm just worried about color-matching red - I know that color is infamous for fading if not properlty maintained and I don't know how **** the current owner has been about waxing.

 

Congrats on the purchase. That car has less rust than mine, and I'm driving mine to work 4 days a week at the moment. Interior looks nice and clean too.

 

Congrats...I am SO jealous. Classic Minis rock!

 

Way cool Matt...can't wait to see it!!!!! I loved my RHD when I lived in England....could be exciting to drive one here!!!! Kara will love the "suicide" seat. Grayson will love it.