I sent this last week, but never saw it on the list, so here it is again.
Patton
----- Original Message -----
From: Patton Dickson <kpdii@mindspring.com>
To: Sprite List <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 1999 11:56 PM
Subject: MkII-Early Mk IV Sprite Bonnet and Left Wing
>Hey guys,
>
>Well the Sprite is back together for what its worth. I got the body back
>together, all three colors of it, and it looks like a real car again.
Don't
>get me wrong, it looks like a very rough car, but it is basically in one
>piece.
>
>It cranked right up, but when I pressed in the clutch to drive it up on the
>trailer, the fluid was gone. No clutch-no triumphant drive up the trailer,
>and there was no time to investigate. I really was looking forward to
>driving it up on its own power, sort of a statement that the car was
>ALLOWING itself to be trailered to Mississippi, and it COULD have made the
>400 mile drive if it WANTED to :). Well, small dreams are the easiest
>shattered...
>
>Well, as I was reassembling the front sheet metal, two things came
apparent.
>First the left wing needs replacing. The bead has somehow gotten broken
>through the years. After the long search for the right one (mind was bondo
>and fiberglass by the time I got the car) and finally finding one that
>wasn't too bad last year, now I need to start watching out for this side.
I
>think '67 was the last year for this fender, the gap between the sidelight
>and the headlight is different than later years.
>
>The other thing is I have to replace is that I have a later Midget hood on
>my car. I think that 66-67 were the last of the run with this hood, it was
>built for the earlier style hinge (non scissored) that is sorta U shaped
and
>secures with 4 bolts per side. The later hoods still retain the holes for
>all the bolts, but only two have the captive nuts in there. Need to have a
>good safety latch, and I would also want the correct hood prop rod. it's
>time to retire the sawed off broomstick!! A true Sprite hood would be a
>bonus so I don't have to fill chrome strip holes and add badge holes.
>
>Anyway, since I am moving in two weeks and Melia (wife) hasn't achieved
>gainful employment yet, I am in no rush on this stuff, but if you guys
could
>keep your eyes open and ears to the ground I would appreciate your letting
>me know if you track this stuff down.
>
>FYI, both cars left today on trailers. My dad came over to took the Sprite
>along with all the parts and tools. Luckily, through shear coincidence, a
>family friend who happened to be over here with a trailer after bringing a
>50's Chevy PU to Dallas took the Vair. So I now have to live for two
weeks
>without either of my cars to obsess over. :(
>
>Thanks again everybody
>
>Patton
>Countdown for Dallas, TX to Jackson, MS -- 12 days (AHHHHHH!!!!)
Now 5 Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Packers come Thursday, movers on
Friday... The cars made it to Jackson fine, and are waiting on my arival.
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