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Mini Sprite

Mini Sprite

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Mini SpriteMini Sprite
Lot number 118
Hammer value £11,000
Description Mini Sprite
Registration L633 APB
Year 1994
Colour Flame Red
Engine size 1,293 cc
Chassis No. SAXXNYADBBD091328
Documents V5C; MOT May 2017; 4 old MOTs; build invoices; spec list

It was largely assumed that the Mini would cease production after the introduction of the new hatchback Mini-Metro in 1980, however it soldiered on until 2000, outlasting the new upstart, supported by the reintroduction of the Cooper models and a range of special editions which kept interest alive in the base product.

The Mini Sprite was one such edition and came fitted with some basic extras to breathe some showroom appeal into the entry level car. The marketing department obviously hadn’t thought quite as far ‘out of the box’ as the owner of this Sprite who set out to create the ultimate road racing Mini. We only hope that Mum gave the OK to rip apart the family’s genuine and original 35,000 mile Mini Sprite which they had owned from new!

In any case, the petrolhead son completely stripped the rust-free body and set to work modifying it exactly how he wanted. First off, all bulkhead holes were filled to make the passenger compartment fireproof. The rear luggage pockets were reduced in height, the rear seat metal and under valence removed and the battery box reduced in depth to save weight. Both inner front wheel arch panels were replaced with steel tube bracing and a brace fitted between the rear suspension mounting points.

The suspension was removed and replaced with titanium (Force) top front suspension arms, adjustable spherical jointed lower arms and tie bars, Spax coil-over suspension struts and a quick ratio steering rack. At the rear, Spax coil-overs were also fitted, mounted to an aluminium rear beam to replace subframe along with KAD aluminium rear arms (lightened) and a KAD rear anti roll bar. The brakes were upgraded with KAD four-pot alloy calipers and solid 7.9 inch discs at the front, and a KAD rear disc brake conversion behind, the car now sitting on KAD 6 x10 magnesium F1 wheels with KAD centre lock wheel attachments and Yokohama A032R soft compound tyres.

In terms of panel work, the bonnet, boot, and doors were replaced with Curley Kevlar/carbon /glass composite panels and all windows were replaced with hard coated polycarbonate apart from the windscreen which is laminated and electrically heated. Inside it has Speedwell seats and steering wheel, lowered steering column and Willans belts, new loom, aluminium foam-filled tank, FIA-approved 6-point bolt-in cage by Safety Devices and we haven’t even got to the engine yet!

This was built by Boopspeed (Paul Gaymer) around a rebored A+ block fitted with a balanced cross-drilled crank, Hepolite slipper pistons, lightened cam followers and a Kent 296 scatter pattern camshaft. A stage 3 Minisport head with 1.5:1 alloy rockers and twin HS4 SU carburettors on a stainless Maniflow intake almost complete the spec, apart that is from the belt drive lightweight alternator, Maniflo stainless exhaust, lightweight starter, Jack Knight close ratio straight-cut gears……you get the picture.

It was all professionally painted in two-pack Flame Red and is a credit to the builder of the car and his Mum for letting him get away with it! The full spec list and detailed invoices (which the vendor hasn’t dared add up) are in the document file and it is MOTd until May 2017. Oh, and it is very, very fast…

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