Late in 1972 after helping a mate rebuild his MGB engine ,I decided that I would like a sports car.I settled on a Sprite as they were the cheapest sports car available.As it was to be my every day car I decided on a later model with wind up windows. After many frustrating weeks of searching I came across my Mk 111 Sprite in Box Hill.The owner (Fred Irvine ) was selling the Sprite to buy an XU1 Torana.

So in February 1973 after paying $1000 I had myself a sports car. It was in good condition and had done about 80,000 miles.

I joined the AHSDC late in 1973 after meeting a fellow sprite owner(Ian Bennet) at Kellow Fawkners in South Melbourne who told me about the club.

Over the next 8 years the Sprite was used daily as my road car as well as used in club competion. During this time I fitted a hardtop for winter driving and adapted a Triumph Herald heater for driver comfort.

By 1982 it was getting very tired and needed a rebuild so I enrolled in a panel building and spray painting course .After two years work I had it back on the road.

These days it doesn't get used in competition and only gets driven on a sunny day.It is once again in need of rust removal and a respray.

Specifications

• Engine :1098cc (original engine) with minor head work, high lift cam and extractors.
• Thermatic fan
• Cooper S Oil Cooler
• Suspension : Standard springs,Midget sway bar, Panhard Rod
• Wheels: 5.5 x 13 " Aunger Hotwire Mags (The original steel wheels cracked)

Some moments of Sprite ownership

1. Breaking an axle during peak hour traffic in Toorak Rd
2. Breaking a rocker arm in Blackburn Rd during peak hour traffic.
3. Rebuilding an engine on the Saturday before a hillclimb and spending most of that night running the engine in.
4. Loosing the oil filter in Blackburn Rd.
5. Going camping with some friends to Swifts Ck and having to drive across a river bed and through paddocks to reach the campsite.( I bought my first 4wd after this trip)
6. Driving through flood waters with the water half way up the doors.
7. Taking part in the Donald Healey visit in 1977
8. Breaking the rings on three pistons on the way home from some Calder Sprints.