BRUCE48127@aol.com wrote:
Bruce...
Interestingly, "Service Parts List AKD 829 (Fifth Edition)" shows ONLY
the old style convertible top with windscreen fasteners. It does not
show the newer style. It does show the hardtop and the sidescreens as
optional items. And while the hardtop was a regular option commencing
with #5477, it was an earlier option on #5137, #5287, and #5288.
My #6893 came with the side curtain assembly, and I long wished that it
had the "phantom option" side screens (especially on cold and snowy or
rainy days).
Bob Evans
Anaheim, California
Frogeyes AN 5L/762 AN 5L/6893
>
> Jeff,
>
> While chassis #8283 is listed by Terry Horler in "Original Sprite and
> Midget", it is listed as the "first car fitted with hard top and sidescreens"
> not the point at which they became available. Both the Service Parts List(s)
> and Anders Clausager, in "Sprites and Midgets, The Comple Story" list the
> change as chassis #5477. This is the same point at which the windscreen
> frame and hood frame changed. From this point on, a car could have been
> fitted with a hardtop, and if so it would have come with sidescreens fitted.
> They would have been an option on cars without a hardtop. It was possible
> to purchase a hard top from a dealer and fit it to any car with the newer
> style windscreen. It was also possible to fit sidescreens to an earlier car,
> which had been fitted with side curtains. Chassis #8283 was just the first
> one to leave the factory with these fitted.
>
> Also, while Horler lists sidescreens as becoming standard, replacing side
> curtains (as you noted), this is believed by the Concours Committee to be
> incorrect, as no supporting evidence is found in the Service Parts Lists. In
> fact, later Service Parts Lists covering up to the Sprite Mk II and Midget Mk
> I, list sidescreens as optional for all AN5's and as standard for all AN6,
> AN7, GAN1 and GAN2's. I believe that sidescreens are what is sometimes
> refered to as a "phantom option", or "standard option". In other words, an
> item fitted to almost all cars in order to increase the profit on each unit.
> Whether this was done by distributors or BMC is not clear, but this was a
> common practice in the sixties with many makes of cars (not just British).
> Most Bugeyes that were shipped to the US had sidescreens rather than side
> curtains, were fitted with a front bumper, tonneau, heater, tachometer and
> windscreen washer(s), all items which were listed as optional. This becomes
> a very interesting area, the problem is, very few people have a dealer price
> sheet (window sticker) for a car. Most Heritage Certificates show heater,
> rev. counter, windscreen washer, front bumper, laminated windscreen, tonneau
> cover, etc. under 'details of equipment', but we do not know if a charge was
> made for them. Does anyone have a Certificate with sidescreens listed? If
> so is it in conjunction with a hard top, or as a seperate item? Does anyone
> have original price lists or bill or sale wich lists these items?
>
> Bruce Gearns
>
> In a message dated 97-11-15 18:26:45 EST, jchurch@exis.net writes:
>
> << Rick,
>
> They became original when the hardtop became available on chassis # AN5-8283
> (December 1958). They could be ordered as a option (to replace the
> steel-framed, Vynide covered versions) after that. From chassis AN5-34558
> (March 1960) on they became standard equipment. Source - "Original Sprite
> and Midget".
>
> Jeff Church
> AN5-11627
> Definitely a real Healey
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rickfisk <rickfisk@concentric.net>
> To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 8:56 PM
> Subject: Side Windows
>
>
> >Hello all,
> >
> >Was digging through my Sprite parts tonight and came across some old
> >side windows I forgot I had. The plexiglas and rubber seals are shot
> >but frames are still in decent shape. The front window is fixed and the
> >rear slides. On the top inside the frames are stamped "WEATHERSHIELDS
> >REG" with "DESIGN 883598-600" stamped underneath. Does anyone know if
> >these are original AH parts or aftermarket? Just curious.
> >
> >Rick
> >'59 Bugeye
> >(A real Healey) >>
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