Sprite Speedwell
Discussion
I have been rather taken by pictures that I have seen of Sprites that have the Speedwell back and the Monza Bonnet. I guess that they are very rare.
So the big question that if I was to get a Sprite/Midget and have a ground up complete restoration (Chassis, bodywork & Conversion, Engine, Gearbox, running gear, interior so the car was like new) and a conversion to have the Speedwell back and Monza Bonnet would that car gain value or lose value compared to a straight restoration?
What would the value of this sort of car be worth with all this work?
Anyone here had such a job done?
So the big question that if I was to get a Sprite/Midget and have a ground up complete restoration (Chassis, bodywork & Conversion, Engine, Gearbox, running gear, interior so the car was like new) and a conversion to have the Speedwell back and Monza Bonnet would that car gain value or lose value compared to a straight restoration?
What would the value of this sort of car be worth with all this work?
Anyone here had such a job done?
Edited by Snapper7 on Friday 23 November 23:02
Lose.
The most valuable cars are totally and utterly standard.
Simply because they appeal to a larger market.
Some extra's don't detract from value eg. Leather interior, motolita, minilights, stainless exhausts, webasto roofs, electronic ignition. However you never get your money back for mods.
If your going to cut a midget about get a 1500 with good floors and rotten wings, cut out wings stick the front and back on, new sills and bobs your uncle. The 1500 engine is very underrated.
The most valuable cars are totally and utterly standard.
Simply because they appeal to a larger market.
Some extra's don't detract from value eg. Leather interior, motolita, minilights, stainless exhausts, webasto roofs, electronic ignition. However you never get your money back for mods.
If your going to cut a midget about get a 1500 with good floors and rotten wings, cut out wings stick the front and back on, new sills and bobs your uncle. The 1500 engine is very underrated.
wildoliver said:
Lose.
The most valuable cars are totally and utterly standard.
Simply because they appeal to a larger market.
Some extra's don't detract from value eg. Leather interior, motolita, minilights, stainless exhausts, webasto roofs, electronic ignition. However you never get your money back for mods.
If your going to cut a midget about get a 1500 with good floors and rotten wings, cut out wings stick the front and back on, new sills and bobs your uncle. The 1500 engine is very underrated.
Totally agree, don't waste £30+ on making something into something it isn't, and then it ending up being worth nearer £20k, unless it's for personal reasons alone. The most valuable cars are totally and utterly standard.
Simply because they appeal to a larger market.
Some extra's don't detract from value eg. Leather interior, motolita, minilights, stainless exhausts, webasto roofs, electronic ignition. However you never get your money back for mods.
If your going to cut a midget about get a 1500 with good floors and rotten wings, cut out wings stick the front and back on, new sills and bobs your uncle. The 1500 engine is very underrated.
Experience
Thanks for your replies, the Speedwell and the Sebring was never a standard or factory car and has always been a custom job. there is also hardly any about.
So it has hard to say but it is not an original because there was never an original...
Anyone got an idea what one of these cars would fetch if for sale?
So it has hard to say but it is not an original because there was never an original...
Anyone got an idea what one of these cars would fetch if for sale?
I think your a bit confused.
There were several works sebring sprites. However I don't think you mean them, I think your referring to the sprinzel coupe's. These are very very rare, as in a handful of them. I know a chap who has a couple, and seriously they aren't cheap.
There was also a big tuning industry built up around "bodykits" in the 60's and 70's, aiming at rusty or damaged cars or just plain modifying them. It's debatable whether or not the speedwell cars fit in to this group, however they are less "works" like than the sebring, typically bmc it is all very contorted.
However what your talking about is a replica. There are 2 ways to do it. Modify a standard car to look like a sebring/speedwell/wsm/sprinzel sprite. It won't be cheap and the car won't be worth much, but it will give you what you want.
Or you can go down the line of building a perfect replica up using one of the new sebring shells that are available. BIG MONEY. And it is still a replica.
Take the advice or leave it, just trying to stop you getting bitten by a dream. You would financially be better off buying a special car with race heritage (eg mga twink) and restoring it.
There were several works sebring sprites. However I don't think you mean them, I think your referring to the sprinzel coupe's. These are very very rare, as in a handful of them. I know a chap who has a couple, and seriously they aren't cheap.
There was also a big tuning industry built up around "bodykits" in the 60's and 70's, aiming at rusty or damaged cars or just plain modifying them. It's debatable whether or not the speedwell cars fit in to this group, however they are less "works" like than the sebring, typically bmc it is all very contorted.
However what your talking about is a replica. There are 2 ways to do it. Modify a standard car to look like a sebring/speedwell/wsm/sprinzel sprite. It won't be cheap and the car won't be worth much, but it will give you what you want.
Or you can go down the line of building a perfect replica up using one of the new sebring shells that are available. BIG MONEY. And it is still a replica.
Take the advice or leave it, just trying to stop you getting bitten by a dream. You would financially be better off buying a special car with race heritage (eg mga twink) and restoring it.
Thanks for that. I guess you are right. It is a shame because having owned a couple of Caterhams, An Elise and an Exige. This whole have been a whole new direction and I was very impressed and looking forward to having one of these. But iot would cost about £ 18k to build a car to brand new standards and as you say would be worth not much more than a good condition standard car...
Dammm
O well the search for a long cockpit Ginetta G4 by Dare will have to carry on...
Dammm
O well the search for a long cockpit Ginetta G4 by Dare will have to carry on...
wildoliver said:
On a very serious note what's wrong with tuning a midget up for a fun car? stick a lenham hard top and front end on it if you must have a hardtop, and have cheap fun.
1275 or 1500 both have benefits, cars available from £100, resale possibilites up to £4k realistically.
I never really liked the looks of the standard MG to the point I wanted to own on. But having seen a picture of one with the speedwell back an the Monza style bonnet really did look desirable.1275 or 1500 both have benefits, cars available from £100, resale possibilites up to £4k realistically.
In a way it is all subjective, and a matter of personal taste to be honest.
i have a Mgbgt V8 which if standard would be worth about £5K however 4 years ago
i started a full rebuild, Not doing it my self as it would still be in Boxes !
So 4 years later i have a great car i love it used for the track mainly 0-60 less than 6 seconds
and a top end in the region of 140 ish is a 3.9 from a racing Marcos and is more fun to drive
than any other car ive been in in recent times ...... with the exception of a shelby mustang Gt500.
Now the car cost well over £30k to build but i know it is now where near that as re sale but smiles per miles
every penny........ it has a insurance certifacate for £15k but as far as i am concerned it is just worth every penny.
so if you do it ...... just dont add the cost think of the smiles
i have a Mgbgt V8 which if standard would be worth about £5K however 4 years ago
i started a full rebuild, Not doing it my self as it would still be in Boxes !
So 4 years later i have a great car i love it used for the track mainly 0-60 less than 6 seconds
and a top end in the region of 140 ish is a 3.9 from a racing Marcos and is more fun to drive
than any other car ive been in in recent times ...... with the exception of a shelby mustang Gt500.
Now the car cost well over £30k to build but i know it is now where near that as re sale but smiles per miles
every penny........ it has a insurance certifacate for £15k but as far as i am concerned it is just worth every penny.
so if you do it ...... just dont add the cost think of the smiles
I've actually got a Sprite mk 2 with an original monza speedwell conversion. its 1962 with the original 948cc and four speed. Im the third owner with it previously being owned by my uncle and great uncle respectively, so i know the bonnet was already on the car when bought from new. I've actually just bought a hard top for it as well. Was just wondering if anyone had a rought idea of worth and had any info on the original monza's?
Thanks
Thanks
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