Hi Folks,
Am sure there are a couple of folks who wonder how long we would stay out of
this, so now is the time. Flame shields up and all those other things.
BMC Body Service Parts List #AKD3567, "Key to Body Exterior and Main Color
Combinations, from Start of Vehicle Production" (H-AN5, AN6, AN7, G-AN1 and
AN2) The only colors for H-AN5's (production time not listed) are:
Whitehall (Nevada) Beige (BG.4)
Iris Blue (BU.12)
Speedwell Blue (BU.1)
Dark Green (GN.12)
Leaf Green (GN.15)
Cherry Red (RD.4)
Old English White (WT.3)
Primrose (YL.3)
BMC Sales Flyer Publication No. 1590 personally acquired from a dealer in Nov.
1959 lists the colors for that year as Cherry Red, Old English White,
Speedwell Blue, Primrose and Dark Green.
BMC Sales Flyer Publication No. 1590/B personally acquired from a dealer in
Feb. 1960 list the colors for that year as Cherry Red, Leaf Green, Old English
White, Iris Blue and Nevada Beige.
Note, both of these flyers have a Black Sprite on the cover but as you will
notice that color is not in any of the above list.
These are period publications from BMC, are they correct? We think so.
Having spent most of our working life in data/documentation managment we have
the greatest respect for those folks who have searched the archives and made
the effort to reconstruct the details and history of our cars. From this same
experience we know how easy it is to miss one digit or letter thereby changing
the events. From a number of writers it has been observed that BMC was not
the most diligent of record keepers and we should keep that in mind
reguardless of the author. There is also the case of year of manufacture vs
model or delivery year. If you purchased a 1999 F**d in November of 1998
would it be a 1998 car or a 1999 car that was produced in 1998? It is
apparent that factory production always leads delivery but production date
does not make the model year, at least in our opinion. Granted that European
car manufactures were not into the model year cycle that U.S. makers were/are
but at that time they were trying to give the U.S. buying public that
impression - thats from experience. Final comment on our favorite color
Nevada Beige. Although it has been cited that this color was put into
production in Jan. 1959 we do not believe this. Having been very much into
the sports car world in that time period we do not recall ever seeing this
color prior to 1960. In deed our two cars in that color got a lot of
attention when we showed up at events in Feb. 1960, not necessarily favorable
attention but attention. Until we meet an original owner that purchased a
Nevada Beige car in Sep. 1959 or earlier we will stick to it being a 1960
color.
Sorry to be so long.
Bob and Annice
1960 Sprite (Mk IV in disguise)
In a message dated 3/13/99 7:17:57 PM, TYPE79@ix.netcom.com writes:
<< Fellow Listers,
"I read it on the internet so it must be true."
With all due respect, people's opinions are too quickly being accepted as fact
on this list.
The only true source material is that which originated at the factory.
Horler published are very good book, but all of a sudden this lst is treating
this ith more respect than the factory publications.
I don't know who/what "The Mighty Midget" by Graeme Jannaway may be but why
would this be used to rewrite history?
Any publication representing factory information that relys on anything other
the original source and otherise is not properly footnoted can not be taken as
correct and should be ignored by concours judges.
Of late, alot of heresay has been tossed around on this list that will
ultimately be a disservice to a restorer looking for correct information and
becomes convinced that people with the loudest messages are most knowledgeable
and experts on originality.
Bottom line, again with all due respect, we don't need another publication
guessing at the facts.
Jay Fishbein, CT
AN-5
HAN-6
Innocenti-S
On 03/13/99 13:10:20 you wrote:
>
>Hi all,
>
>I've about reached final draft on my color guide and wanted to respond to
>the recent thread on Sprite colors to make sure my information is correct,
>to wit:
>
>AN5 colors: Cherry Red (RD04), Dark Green (GN12), Iris Blue (BU12), Leaf
>Green (GN15), OEW (WT03), Primrose Yellow (YL03), Speedwell Blue (BU01),
>Whitehall (Nevada) Beige (BG04)
>
> Notes: Iris Blue replaced Speedwell Blue AN5-9420, Jan, 1959
> Leaf Green replaced Dark Green AN5-9927, Jan, 1959
> Nevada Beige replaced Primrose AN5-9605, Jan, 1959
>
>
>HAN6 colors: Almond Green (GN37), Black (BK1), Deep Pink (RD18), Highway
>Yellow (YL09), Iris Blue (BU12), OEW (WT03), Signal Red (no code), Speedwell
>Blue (BU01)
>
> Notes: Iris Blue replaced Speedwell Blue AN6-5133, Sep, 1961
>
>
>I think the only "surprise" might be Almond Green. Caroline Robinson sent
>me a list called "The Mighty Midget" by Graeme Jannaway that definitely
>lists this color on HAN6's (as well as Midgets).
>
>My notes contradict the recent thread on the list and I'd like clarification
before I print anything. My primary source is The Original Sprite and
>Midget faxed to me courtesy of Bill Schickling.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Don Pikovnik
>Coloramic Process, Inc.
>
>
>
>
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