[Spridgets] Cool info on basic vs deluxe model of the MKII Sprites ; )

[Linda Grunthaner]

List,
I had a discussion with Jon from the UK regarding bumperettes on the early
MKII Sprites, below is what Jon said, very interesting.
Enjoy,
Lin

Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird <http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1299125454>
Linda, this is something of a grey area...but it seems as though BMC's
intention was to produce the MkII Sprite with bumperettes as standard - in
fact quite a large number of very early MkII Sprites left Abingdon built
this way. Examples which featured bumperettes were marketed as 'basic'
models and sold by BMC at a cheaper price to help reduce the purchase tax
payable on all new MkII's (in 1961 the UK, similar to today, was in a
recession, so this was seen as a way of tempting prospective new owners to
part with their cash). Sadly, the 'basic' model was never popular and most
new owners opted to buy the 'deluxe' model (available soon after the models
introduction) which did have the full width rear bumper and other added
equipment. Eventually, because of lack of demand, the 'basic' model was
dropped and the 'deluxe' model became the standard production model.