Specifications
From SpriteSpotWiki
This page contains specifications and technical information helpful to restorers/owners/racers of Sprites and Midgets. Please feel free to add any information you have that may be helpful.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Many models of Spridgets were offered over the years, and consequently while much of the design (and specs) remained fairly consistent over the years, many things indeed changed. Please reference the appropriate model for the most accurate information.
[edit] Sprite Mark I (Bugeye)
Type designation Austin-Healey Sprite developed under Austin Drawing Office Project Number 13 (A.D.O.13).
Built Abingdon, England from March 31, 1958 to 1961. Also built from knock-down kits in Sydney, Australia until mid-1962.
Engine BMC A-series unit as used in Morris Minor/Austin A35 except for twin HSI (1 1/8) SU carburetors set at a slight angel from the horizontal and with individual 'pancake' type air filters, special valve springs. Stellited exhaust valve seats and copper-lead main and big-end bearings. Cast iron block and head, pressed steel sump, 4-cylinder in -line, overhead valve with push rods, camshaft i block. Capacity 948cc (57,87cu.in) Bore & Stroke 62,94 x 76,2 mm (2,48x30in).
Maximum power: 43bhp (net) at 5000rpm. Maximum torque (net): 52lb/ft at 3000rpm. Maximum bmep (net): 136lb/sq.in at 3000rpm. Fuel pump: A.C. mechanical type, mounted in side of block and driven by camshaft. Sump capacity: 3.34 l (6 7/8 Imp pints).
Transmission Rear wheel drive from front mounted engine. Four-speed gear box bolted to rear engine plate. Synchro mesh on second, third and top. Overall gear ratios:
Top, 4.22 3rd, 5.96 2nd, 10,02 1st, 15,31 Final drive, 4.22 to 1 Reverse, 19,68 Hypoid bevel rear axel. Clutch of Borg and Beck manufacture, 6 1/4in diameter, hydraulic operation.
Chassis frame and bodywork 2-door, 2-seater convertible of all-steel unitary (chassis less) construction. Floor pan pressed and constructed at John Thompson Motor Pressings Ltd in Wolverhampton, England with outer sills of 1.22 mm and inner sills of 1.6 mm thickness.
Wheelbase: 203cm (6ft 8in). Track: front 116cm (3ft 9 3/4in). Track: rear 114cm (3ft 8 3/4in). Overall length: (without front bumper) 337cm (11ft 0 5/8in). Overall with: 135cm (4ft 5in). Overall height: 126cm (4ft 1 1/3in) but 112cm (3ft 8 1/8in) with hood down. Ground clearance: 13cm (5in). Turning circle: right 9.5m (31ft 2 1/2in). Turning circle: left 9.8m (32ft 1 1/2in). Kerb weight: 602kg (1328lb). Fuel tank capacity: 27.3 l (6 Imp.gal). Suspension Front: Standard Austin A35 coil spring and wishbone components in conjunction with Armstrong lever-type shock absorbers which also act as upper wishbone arm.
Steering Morris Minor-type steering rack giving 2 1/2 turn from lock-to-lock.
Brakes Lockhead hydraulic, with 7in drums. Cable hand brake to rear.
Wheels and Tyres Dunlop 145 x 13
Electrical Equipment 12 volt. 43 amp hour battery. Positive earth Lucas dynamo.
[edit] Sprite Mark II / Midget Mark I
Sprite Mk II As for Sprite Mk I except for: Produced: Abingdon, 1961—64 20450 cars built with 948cc engine, 11215 with 1098cc engine. General Layout: as original ‘Frog-eye’ model, except for restyle and external opening boot-lid Engine and Transmission: 948cc engine, 46bhp at 5500rpm; 53lb ft at 3000rpm. Dimensions: Length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1525lb. Typical Performance: maximum speed 86mph;0-60mph 20.0sec; standing 1/4mile 22.0sec; overall fuel consumption 39mpg Distinguishing features from previous model: Restyled bodyshell with headlamps in wings and external boot-lid. Derivatives: From autumn 1962 to 1964, 11215 cars produced with 1098cc, 64.58 x 83.72mm engine, 56bhp at drums. Styling unchanged. 89mph top speed, 0-60mph 16.9sec, standing ¼-mile 21.0sec, overall fuel consumption 30mpg. Fate: Dropped in favour of MkIII model in 1964.
Midget Mk I Produced: Abingdon, 1961-64, 16080 cars built with 948cc engine, 9601 cars with 1098cc engine. General Layout: Unit-c0onstruction body-chassis structure in 2-seater sports car style. Some cars with removable hardtop. Front-mounted engine driving rear wheels. Identical in every way with the equivalent Austin-Healey Sprite MkII. Engine and Transmission: MBC A-Series, 4-cylinder, ohv, in-line. 948cc, 62.9 x 76.2mm, 46bhp at 5500rpm; 53lb ft at 3000rpm. 4-speed gearbox; no synchromesh on 1st gear; live (beam) rear axle with hypoid-bevel final drive. Chassis: Independent front suspension, coil springs and wishbones. Rack-and-pinion steering. Rear suspension by cantilever quarter-elliptic leaf springs and radius-arms. Front and rear drum brakes. 5.20-13in tyres. Dimensions: Wheelbase 6ft 8in; front track 3ft 9.75 in; rear track 3ft 8.75 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; width 4ft 5in; height 4ft 1.75in. Unladen weight 1525lb. Typical Performance: Maximum speed 86mph;0-60mph 20.0sec; standing 1/4mile 22.0sec; overall fuel consumption 39mpg Derivatives: From autumn 1962 to 1964, 9601 cars produced with 1098cc, 64.58 x 83.72mm engine, 56bhp at 5500rpm, 62lb ft at 3250rpm. Front disc brakes and rear drums. Styling unchanged Typical Performance: 89mph to top speed, 0-60mph 16.9sec, standing ¼-mile 21.0sec, overall fuel consumption 30mpg. Fate: Dropped in favour of Mk II model in 1964.
[edit] Sprite Mark III / Midget Mark II
Sprite Mk III As for Sprite Mk II except for: Produced: Abingdon, 1964-66, 25905 cars built. Engine and Transmission: 1098cc engine, 59bhp at 5750rpm; 65lb ft at 3500rpm. Chassis: Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs. Dimensions: Front track 3ft 9.25 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1566lb. Typical Performance: maximum speed 92mph;0-60mph 14.7sec; standing 1/4mile 19.8sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg Distinguishing features from previous model: Wind up windows in doors, larger screen, new facia and instrument panel. Fate: Dropped in favour of MkIV model in 1966.
Midget Mk II As for Midget Mk I except for: Produced: Abingdon, 1964-66, 26601cars built. Engine and Transmission: 1098cc engine, 59bhp at 5750rpm; 65lb ft at 3500rpm. Chassis: Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs. Dimensions: Front track 3ft 9.25 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1566lb. Typical Performance: Maximum speed 92mph;0-60mph 14.7sec; standing 1/4mile 19.8sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg Distinguishing features from previous model: Wind-up windows in doors, larger screen, new facia and instrument panel. Fate: Dropped in favour of Mk III model, which was announced in 1966.
[edit] Sprite Mark IV / Midget Mark III
Sprite Mk IV As for Sprite Mk IV except for: Produced: Abingdon, 1966-70, 21768 cars built. Engine and Transmission: 1275cc engine, 70.6 x 81.28mm, 65bhp at 6000rpm; 72lb ft at 3000rpm. Dimensions: unladen weight 1575lb. Typical Performance: maximum speed 94mph;0-60mph 14.1sec; standing 1/4mile 19.6sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg Distinguishing features from previous model: Foldaway hood instead of build-up variety. Derivatives: For 1970 model year, the grille was standardised with the MG Midget and cast-alloy wheels were fitted. Fate: Austin Healey marque dropped in favour of Austin model, which was produced only in 1971. Note: The badge-engineered MG Midget carried on until the end of 1979.
Midget Mk III As for Midget Mk II except for: Produced: Abingdon, 1966-69, 13722built. Engine and Transmission: 1275cc engine, 70.6 x 81.28mm, 65bhp at 6000rpm; 72lb ft at 3000rpm. Dimensions: Unladen weight 1575lb. Typical Performance: Maximum speed 94mph;0-60mph 14.1sec; standing 1/4mile 19.6sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg Distinguishing features from previous model: Fold away hood instead of build up variety. Derivatives: For 1970 model year, became Midget Mk III (G-AN5 type) with Rostyle wheels, new grille and badging. Carried on to 1974, when replaced by Midget 1500. 86623 Mk IVs were built. Fate: Dropped in favour of Midget 1500 model, which was announced in 1974.
[edit] Midget Mark IV
Specs here
