| Original Sprite & Midget |
| Terry Horler |
Written by the Midget & Sprite Club
Archivist Terry Horler this excellent book forms part os
the "Original" series from Bay View Books. A
Wealth of information on originality and production
dating for all Sprite and Midget models. Including over
200 pictures and extensively detailed text. This book
concentrates on the production models and charts the
history of the Sprite from the Frogeye through to last
500 black rubber nosed Midgets. A very rich source for
those interested in specifications and change points on
particular models with many tips for the restorer wanting
to produce an award winning original car. This book must
be seen if only for the high quality of the specially
commissioned pictures.
| Spritely Years |
| By John Sprinzel and Tom Coulthard |
This is an unusual book, as it is written in two discrete halves, with a common Sprite theme binding them together.
Part one is the autobiography of John Sprinzel a well known figure in the rally scene in the 1950's and 1960's. It follows his career from the early days in his mother's A30, through A35's, Sprites, Triumphs to Porsches. The narrative is entertaining, filled with insights into the rallying scene of the time and those he was involved with.
Of particular interest to Spridgeteers, is that Sprinzel co-founded Speedwell tuning, who notably developed the Frogeye Sprite into the legendary aluminium bodied Sebring Sprite Fixed Head Coupe. Later, Sprinzel joined Donald Healey as the head of the Healey Sprite works team, before moving on to other projects. Incidentally, he has now retired to Hawaii with a Frogeye as his only car.
The flip side of this volume is written by actor and Sebring Sprite enthusiast, Tom Coulthard.
It is the product of extensive research, and follows the development of the Sprite in competition
through tuning modifications, improvement to the aerodynamics and eventually to the Sebring Sprite with its streamlined alloy coupe body. Much information concerning these cars is included, even a history of Sprinzel's famous PMO 200 number plate in many incarnations.
This book provides a historical context for the development of Sprites in competition and the involvement of Works teams at the time.
All in all, it is an essential volume for Frogeye enthusiasts, and those who are interested what 'Works' and other racing versions were all about.Review many thanks to
Trelawny Burt treb@freenetname.co.uk
| Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites |
| John Baggot |
Mighty Midgets & Special
Sprites tells the story of just one on these classes. It
traces the development and successes of racing Austin
Healey Sprites and MG Midgets on the British club racing
scene from 1958 and in endurance events in Europe and the
USA. It is a story that is full of human interest and
anecdote. The book tells of the early races of notable
drivers such as John Watson, Win Percy, Jonathon Palmer,
Andrew hedges, Gabriel Konig and the late Steve Everitt
as well as those countless others who devoted their own
time and money to the pursuit of a few moments of glory
and a lot of excitement. Illustrated with over 140
photographs, many of which are previously unpublished,
Mighty Midgets & Special Sprites will appeal to
anyone with an interest in any level of motorsport.Crowood Press England 1998
ISBN 1 86126 106 3
| More Healeys, Frog-eyes, Sprites and Midgets |
| Geoffrey Healey |
Written by the chief engineer of
the team which produced all of the Austin-Healey
sportscars this book can not be beaten for genuine
insight into the car's development history: It is safe to
say that without Geoff the Sprite would not have been the
car which we know and love today. This book was written
to provide an accurate historical reference on both the
Sprite and Midget, redressing many of the inaccuracies
found in earlier works. It provides a valuable insight
into the design and development of the cars from the late
fifties through to its date of publication in 1978. There
is also a wealth of information on the racing history of
both the Sprite and Midget along with many pictures from
the author's own collection. Although this book is now
rather old it may still be obtainable as it was
re-printed in 1990.Gentry Books Ltd. 16 Regency St. London
SW1 England 1978
ISBN 1 870979 45 1
| Total Tuning for the Classic MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite |
| Daniel Stapelton |
A good reference detailing modifications for reliability, fast road and race use. Explains how to make the modifications in simple terms. The text is richly enhanced by the use of detailed black and white photographs. The author gives a first hand summary of the worth of all modifications personally tried on his own car. Veloce publishingEngland 1992
| Guide to Purchase & D.I.Y. Restoration of the MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite |
| Lindsay Porter |
If you're thinking of purchasing either a
Sprite or a Midget, from the earliest frog-eye through to
the last rubber nosed MG then this book is a must. Of
most use to those with serious restoration work in mind.
The author concentrates mainly on the complexities of
reconditioning the Sprite bodyshell, but also has helpful
information on engine rebuilding, trimming and
re-spraying. The extremely thorough guide to purchase is
also particularly useful for those intending to purchase
without the benefit of previous experience with the cars.Haynes Publishing Group Sparkford
Yeovil Somerset England
| Tuning BL's A-Series Engine |
| David Vizard |
If you are serious about
modifying your Sprite's engine then you must read this
book. This book took over seven years to write, is over
400 pages long and includes almost 600 illustrations
alongside an easy to follow text. It covers almost all
engine modifications from improving fuel economy right
through to building full blown race engines.Haynes Publishing Group Sparkford
Yeovil Somerset England 1985
ISBN 0 85429 414 7
| The Sprites and Midgets A Collector's Guide |
| Eric Dymock |
Another excellent historical reference
book Eric's book charts the history of the Sprites and
Midgets in a similar manner to Geoff Healey's. Richly
illustrated with many pictures from sources including the
British Leyland archives. The overall content, production
figures and technical references in this book are
excellent.Motor Racing Publications Ltd. 28
Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2HD 1981
ISBN 0 900549 53 X
| Austin Healey "Frogeye" Sprite Super profile |
| Lindsay Porter |
More of a
"light read" than a seminal reference this book
offers a brief history, contemporary road tests, a buying guide and more. Along
with a very nice picture gallery of the Mk 1 Sprites.Haynes Publishing Group Sparkford
Yeovil Somerset England 1983
ISBN 0 85429 343 4
| MG Midget Austin Healey Sprite (Except 'Frogeye') Super Profile |
| Lindsay Porter |
In the same vein as its sister book on
Frog-eyes, this book has similar offerings for the
enthusiast of the Mk 2 cars up to the last of the rubber
nosed Midgets.Haynes Publishing Group Sparkford
Yeovil Somerset England 1983
ISBN 0 85429 344 2
| The Original Workshop Manuals |
| BMC / British Leyland |
Whilst aimed at the BMC / BL
dealershipworkshops rather than the home mechanic these
manuals are the definitive workshop handbooks covering
every mechanical aspect of the cars, right down to
re-finishing of the paint. If you are an established,
competant mechanic these are all you will need, otherwise
they will nicely accompany some of the other third party
manuals currently available. Now available in reprint,
but the purist will seek out the original items from
Autojumbles.Available from parts specialists such
as Moss, Reprinted by Brooklands Books
| MG Midget & AH Sprite Workshop Manual |
| Haynes Manuals |
Haynes are the worlds largest producer
workshop manuals. They are geared for the home mechanic
rather than the garage. A good substitute for the BMC/BL
manuals without as many references to BMC/BL special
tools!Haynes Publishing Group Sparkford
Yeovil Somerset England 1983
ISBN 0 85429 343 4
| British Sports Cars in America 1946-1981 |
| Jonathan Stein |
Charts
the post war market for British sports cars in the USA,
covering marques such as Austin Healey, MG, Jaguar and
Triumph. A must for the stateside enthusiast.
| Austin Healey Sprite 1958 - 1971 |
| Brooklands Books Reprints |
Do you
like reading contemporary road tests? If so this is the
book for you. This book is a collection of reprints of
contemporary road tests and articles about the Sprite
from the motoring press at the time. Brooklands Books
| MG Midget & Austin Healey Sprite Restoration |
| Jim Tyler |
In a
similar vein to Lindsay Porter's guide to purchase and
DIY restoration, Jim Tyler's book covers the history of
the Sprite and the Midget, purchasing, maintenance, and
restoration. Includes over 250 monochrome illustrations.
| Aspects Of Abingdon The Building of the MGB and Midget |
| Marcham Roade |
Marcham Roade is the Editor of MGB Driver
Magazine (The Journal of the North American MGB
Register). Illustrated with nealy 100 monochrome
photographs and diagrams, this book is a must. I would
recommend it as the best £7 I have ever spent. Marcham
visited the factory many times in the seventies and his
own personal knowledge of the marque is used to tie
together many first hand stories from the people who
worked there.Published by MG World 1996
| Driver's Handbooks |
| BMC / British Leyland |
As distributed with the cars when new.
These books are a must, they give servicing information,
car operation instructions (such as how to fold the soft
top), and a wealth of other everyday information like the
tyre pressures and kerb weights.Reprinted by Brooklands Books,
available from your local parts specialist such as Moss.
This page was formerly part of the British Sprite Site.