1980 Mini Sprite
#1
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1980 Mini Sprite
Years ago my brother bought a Mini Sprite, the car was a pale yellow colour with 2 Black stripes down either side with Sprite writain on the rear quarters inbetween each stripe.
The car had an MG Metro Turbo block, but minus the turbo. Apparently the basic engine was better than the regular 1275GT engine, im not sure how true that is.
As most young drivers do he crashed it! This was the perfect operatunity to fully restore the car, as you can probably imagine a 1980 Mini wont be looking its best in 1997!
The car was given new wings, doors and bonnet and was fully resprayed. It gained 13" Revolution four spoke alloys with polished rims, black vinyl bucket seats a new headlining and steering wheel. The rest of the interior was never finished, it was due to get a vinl rear bench but they were rare. Bumpers were replaced for matt black items and mirrors changed for chrome bullits.
Suspension wise it gained Spax adjustables.
Now for the good stuff! The engine was bored to 1293cc, i think it was a new cylinder head too. A Kent fast road cam was added, along with lightened flywheel, and a K&N bolt on carb air filter. Exhaust wise was a 2" straight through stainless steel system! The engine was fully blue printed. I may have missed some of the spec out.
He eventually sold to his mate who attempted to fit twin carbs but could never get the set up. He then bought a big K&N carb, but it would need a hole in the bonnet to fit and was never used!
I believe the engine is now a 1380cc
Only the boot is rusting as its the original item.
My brother is now buying the car back for the not so large sum of £500!! Hes also getting 3 engines thrown in!
His plan is to fully restore again, but adding the stripes back and possibly a 1275cc again.
When he gets it back ill be sure to get some pictures.
Hopefully some of you may find this essay interesting!!!
The car had an MG Metro Turbo block, but minus the turbo. Apparently the basic engine was better than the regular 1275GT engine, im not sure how true that is.
As most young drivers do he crashed it! This was the perfect operatunity to fully restore the car, as you can probably imagine a 1980 Mini wont be looking its best in 1997!
The car was given new wings, doors and bonnet and was fully resprayed. It gained 13" Revolution four spoke alloys with polished rims, black vinyl bucket seats a new headlining and steering wheel. The rest of the interior was never finished, it was due to get a vinl rear bench but they were rare. Bumpers were replaced for matt black items and mirrors changed for chrome bullits.
Suspension wise it gained Spax adjustables.
Now for the good stuff! The engine was bored to 1293cc, i think it was a new cylinder head too. A Kent fast road cam was added, along with lightened flywheel, and a K&N bolt on carb air filter. Exhaust wise was a 2" straight through stainless steel system! The engine was fully blue printed. I may have missed some of the spec out.
He eventually sold to his mate who attempted to fit twin carbs but could never get the set up. He then bought a big K&N carb, but it would need a hole in the bonnet to fit and was never used!
I believe the engine is now a 1380cc
Only the boot is rusting as its the original item.
My brother is now buying the car back for the not so large sum of £500!! Hes also getting 3 engines thrown in!
His plan is to fully restore again, but adding the stripes back and possibly a 1275cc again.
When he gets it back ill be sure to get some pictures.
Hopefully some of you may find this essay interesting!!!
#3
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Mini Update!
My brother and his mate have just dropped an engine round. Im pretty sure its the 1293cc or it could be the 1380cc. Theres a second block too, the 1293 i think.
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My son did the same, execept he put in a 1380, and by **** did it shift, I remember going to a mini meet with him in Milton Keynes, it had a twin exhaust bored straight thourgh I was deaf for 2 days it was that loud Sadly he sold it to try and get on the property ladder, but is still living with us, Mind you the car did get a really good feature in Mini World Magazine, which was all he really set out to do.
Cheers
Colin
Cheers
Colin
Last edited by Scoob99; 02 April 2006 at 09:15 AM.
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#8
I used to have a Mini Sprite, but it was the red one (Sprites came in pale yellow and orangey red) and it too had a midifed Metro Turbo block. It was bored and stroked to about 1430-ish and felt very quick. It got nicked from outside my girlfriends house in Manchester before I got it properly finished
#9
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Guys, ive reposted in Projects. Should really ask to get this deleted lol!
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...wpost&t=504349
Thought it would make more sense been in there!
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...wpost&t=504349
Thought it would make more sense been in there!
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