Re-creation Of "Little Blue II

My first car, and still the most loved of the nine Britcars I've owned, was acquired slightly used in March 1965. It was an Iris Blue 1964 AH Sprite Mk II fitted out with every option available: heater, radio, hard top, tonneau, and twin Lucas 576 driving lights. I paid $1575 for it, and I practically lived in it: It had 1,500 miles on it at acquisition, and 77,600 miles 16 months later when I traded it in on a new 1966 Sprite Mk III. Some of those miles were a memorable trip from costal North Carolina to California and back. I called her "Little Blue". While I owned her I added a Les Leston steering wheel, crested wooden shift knob, and an Amco center console.

Now that I'm 74 years old, and attempting, I suppose, to relive youthful pleasures, I'm in the process of restoring a 1963 Midget to look much like Little Blue. It won't be a clone...after all, a Midget isn't a Sprite, and it will have significant differences, including its 1275 cc engine from a '69 or '70. However, in configuration and color it will be close. I've deleted the bonnet and side chrome trim and replaced the original grill with one from a '70 Midget...not a Sprite grille, but closer than the original.

As of February 9, 2018 "Little Blue II" is in the paint booth. All of the components I've removed from it have been restored or reconditioned and are ready for reassembly. More to come...

March 9, 2018: Completed reassembly of the body work, did a tuneup of the engine (setting the timing is a serious PITA!) and took her for a test drive. A few problems remain: Fuel gauge doesn't indicate; speedo cable doesn't turn; gearbox occasionally jumps out of fourth gear; rear suspension needs new bushings; but overall she's a pleasure to drive. I hadn't driven a Spridget since 1982 and I've gotten a lot older, heavier, and creakier since then...even so I was newly amazed at how small these cars really are and how much one has to "fold up" to get into and out of one.