[Spridgets] 35byears

[David Woerpel]

OK, I'm a little late to the party this year.  Thanks Linda for the 
memories.  April 11 has come and gone...like Frank, but he's not really 
gone as just last week he helped me solve a problem with the petrol tank 
from the Bugeye.  I noticed a spot on the garage floor and there was 
evidence that fuel had been running down the sides. Thinking the worst 
that the filler neck had rusted where it joins the tank I started to 
prep my spare tank when a little voice said, "What would Frank do?"  It 
was then I saw the fuel sending unit on top of the tank(hey, it's been 
30 years) and thought, gasket.  My next worry was removing the fuel 
outlet line  from the tank after 3 decades.  It unscrewed with no drama, 
although I swear I heard Frank say mischievously, "Heat up the nut with 
a torch!! LOL".  I was not under any pharmaceutical influence, honest.  
It is just where my head goes when I have a car project.  Anyway the 
problem was the cork seal for the sending unit and I had filled the tank 
for the winter a bit too much.  One alarming thing I noticed is fuel had 
run down the wire from the sending unit and into the bullet connector on 
the harness.  That is now shrink wrapped.  Point of all this is check 
things once in a while, "Pre-flight" before an excursion, and, for me, 
most meaningful, is without Mark and this incredible list, as so many of 
you have generously (you are generous, correct? ;-) ) stated, I/we would 
probably never have met Frank, Paul, and dozens of others and would 
never have gone world wide with OSHIT groups, anniversary gatherings and 
even a run to New Foundland!  One person had the energy to follow 
through on an idea.  Truly amazing and gives me hope for the future.  
Let's take this momentum and Pay It Forward to other endeavors.
Thanks Mark!! PayPal sent.

Dave W
'59 :{)
'59 MGA 1500

"Pay It Forward"










On 4/12/2026 8:47 AM, Linda Grunthaner via Spridgets wrote:
> Tim thanks for getting us started in our Spritely adventures and I 
> love your choice of blue on your white Spridget, stunning and great 
> story not to mention motivating us to do some work on our LBC's or 
> just parts in the shed or garage.
>
> Wow Bill's hardtop story was so expensive, what an adventure of 
> Spritely money spent for the love of our Spridgets. Wow I never knew a 
> Bugeye Bonnet can fit into a van as seen in Rick's van, what year & 
> model is that to fit?
>
> My story is when Frank Clarici RIP was building his daughter's "Lady 
> Bug" he needed a Bugeye bonnet. I had a red one in my garage and knew 
> where it had to go. I look back over 15 years ago, perhaps closer to 
> 20 and I picked that bonnet up myself and slid it on top of my 
> favorite car, a 1994 Saturn wagon "myself". I strapped it down and 
> headed for my 35 mile trip on the Garden State Parkway.
>
> In 2016 I bought another Bugeye bonnet (can't turn down a good deal on 
> a Spridget part). I hung in the garage several years ago all by myself 
> but using a lot of ratchet straps for leverage and hoisting support. I 
> don't know which harddrive has that bonnet picture of Lady Bugs bonnet 
> on my Saturn but it is somewhere and once found I will post it. Now my 
> daily driver a 1985 Nissan 720 truck I carried  my last bonnet in it 
> (hopefully my last). I don't know what makes me buy bonnets or 
> hardtops for my Spridgets or any parts for that matter but I'm getting 
> closer to turning my head at a good deal.
>
> Enjoy and keep the stories coming,
> 1962 California Sprite "Pinky"
> Linda
>
> ------------------------
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