Sprites and Midgets along with other contemporary BMC vehicles were exported to various parts, mainly the Australian continent in "completely knocked down" (CKD) kit form to be fully assembled and finished at their final destination.

Sprites in CKD Form were exported from late 1959 until 1966 and MG Midgets were sent from 1966 until 1971. The kit comprised of the body hull, all suspension components, engine, gearbox, and ancillaries. Whilst the remaining tyres, trim, and some electrical parts were sourced from Australian companies, largely to satisfy the import legislation which demanded a certain quantity of local parts content.

Early Sprites (1959 - 1961) were assembled by the Pressed Metal Corporation of Enfield, near Sydney (a subsidiary of BMC). Whilst the later cars were assembled at Zetland again near Sydney, NSW.

Production Figures

Sprite Mk1 1958-1961 YHAN 1 1305 (900 to Australia 300 to South Africa)
Sprite Mk11 948cc 1961-1962 YAAN 2 326
Sprite Mk11(a) 1098cc 1962-1964 YHGN 7 976
Sprite Mk111 & Mk111a 1964-1966 YAGN 8 & YHGN 8 1396 (approx 600 Mk111 & 800 Mk111a)
Midget 1966-1971 YGGN 4 1184

*It is assumed that all RHD, CKD kits were sent to Australia.

Car Identification Data

Type: (e.g.) YHAN 1
YHAN 1   Sprite Mk1
YAAN 2 948cc Sprite Mk11
YHGN 7 1098cc Sprite Mk11a
YAGN 8   Sprite Mk111
YHGN 8 w/wheels std. Sprite Mk111a
YGGN 4   M.G. Midget Mk111
Year Code (e.g. 8) After 30/12/61 this number ceased to be used and the prefix group was omitted
8 - 1/12/59 through to 30/11/60 9 - 1/12/60 through to 30/11/61
Chassis Number: This number was Abingdon assigned.
CKD Assembly Number: This number was assigned in Australia. The sequence started at number 501 for the Mk 1 2 & 3.

Australian CKD Sprites carried their car number on a much larger plate than that of their British built counterparts. It was located on the front bulkhead adjacent to the battery earth strap. Additionally this plate also held the engine number, and paint colour name. The paint colour name was prefixed and suffixed with the type of paint and the paint manufacturer respectively.

Paint Codes

Paint Type Codes Paint Manufacturer Codes
  1. Enamel
  2. Laquer
  3. Acrylic Enamel
  1. BALM
  2. Lusteroid
  3. Berger
  4. Brolite
  5. Taubman
  6. Spartan

(c) Mick. S. Maguire M.I.E.E.E