"Frogeye" front suspension
Discussion
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-1959-Austin-Heal...
Now I may be wrong in my observations or in my memory but I always thought the Mk 1 Sprite has the same front suspension as the later cars and MG Midgets ( I had 3 of those)but the photo of this cars underneath seems to show torsion bars al a Moggy Minor
You need to scroll down to the dealers photo collection
Now I may be wrong in my observations or in my memory but I always thought the Mk 1 Sprite has the same front suspension as the later cars and MG Midgets ( I had 3 of those)but the photo of this cars underneath seems to show torsion bars al a Moggy Minor
You need to scroll down to the dealers photo collection
Frogeye,s all had wishbones with lever arm shocks as the top pivot, just like the one in my garage that hasn't moved for 25 years and didn't move much with my dad for the previous 15 years.
The photo you are looking at (last bar one) on the dealers shots is not a frog eye or any other sprite / midget unless it's been radically modified
The photo you are looking at (last bar one) on the dealers shots is not a frog eye or any other sprite / midget unless it's been radically modified
The thing about the Mk Sprite is:
I passed my driving test in 1970. I wanted one as my first car, spent 3 years looking and everyone I saw was in poor condition then. It is now over 40 years since then and there are some good ones out there. Where were they then? Oh and the average price then was about £200 to £300.
Bought a Mk 2 Midget in the end and never got my Frogeye.
Was looking at one the other day in Darlington and my thoughts about getting one now were re kindled but I wonder now if I would fit in one and would I be disappointed if I drove one.
They do say never go back.
I passed my driving test in 1970. I wanted one as my first car, spent 3 years looking and everyone I saw was in poor condition then. It is now over 40 years since then and there are some good ones out there. Where were they then? Oh and the average price then was about £200 to £300.
Bought a Mk 2 Midget in the end and never got my Frogeye.
Was looking at one the other day in Darlington and my thoughts about getting one now were re kindled but I wonder now if I would fit in one and would I be disappointed if I drove one.
They do say never go back.
Yes there is an odd photograph there showing a torsion bar suspension - that could be an MGC?
Sprites/Midgets are very small cars on the outside but surprisingly, inside, they are reasonably roomy! The Frogeyes actually have more elbow room than the later cars with the wind up windows. There is a lack of power but they are light so can keep up with modern traffic on A and B roads - where they are a delight if the road is smooth! Frogeye drum brakes require suitable anticipation of retardation but the later disc braked cars are more reassuring. Power can be easily increased by going to bigger A series engines, tuning, K series - or even Rover V8!
Sprites/Midgets are very small cars on the outside but surprisingly, inside, they are reasonably roomy! The Frogeyes actually have more elbow room than the later cars with the wind up windows. There is a lack of power but they are light so can keep up with modern traffic on A and B roads - where they are a delight if the road is smooth! Frogeye drum brakes require suitable anticipation of retardation but the later disc braked cars are more reassuring. Power can be easily increased by going to bigger A series engines, tuning, K series - or even Rover V8!
Yes the lack of window winders increases elbow room
I always remember changing seats in my Midgets so that I could recline the back to give more arm room.
What I remember about my last try in a Midget was folding my legs up to get through the door aperture.
And thats from someone who drove a Caterham for years.....
I always remember changing seats in my Midgets so that I could recline the back to give more arm room.
What I remember about my last try in a Midget was folding my legs up to get through the door aperture.
And thats from someone who drove a Caterham for years.....
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