Semantics indeed. Regardless of the date the car was registered, isn't it
appropriate to consider the year of manufacture to be the critical issue?
Car #5477 marked the change to the windscreen (although 3 earlier cars also
had the changes), and this was in October 1958. Somewhere around 3500 cars
were built from that point until the end of the year, and I think they too
legitimately should be referred to as 1958 models. Sometime in January 1959
Leaf Green replaced Dark Green, so there were cars made in 1959 that were
originally Dark Green.
This also occurs at the other end of production of the Mk 1, which ended in
November 1960. Every time I hear of someone who says they have a 1961
Bugeye, I want to shout "There's no such thing!!"
If I had a car that was registered incorrectly, I would take the BMIHT
certificate to the motor licensing office, and insist that the error be
corrected. But hey, that's me.......
Doug Ingram
Victoria BC
1958 Frogeye
AN5L/636 - Don't try telling me that my #636 ain't a 58!!
-----Original Message-----
From: TYPE79@ix.netcom.com <TYPE79@ix.netcom.com>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>;
bthor@master.adams.com <bthor@master.adams.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 09, 1999 8:21 PM
Subject: Re: Dark Green/Production Change Point
>Brian,
>We may just be debating semantics here. I consider "1959" Sprites as being
those with the later windshields, in addition to some of the other post'58
improvements.
>
>I don't own the Dark Green sprite that I referenced. It is owned by a
friend who purchased it from the second owner. It is a dead original car. It
was always dark green. It has the original interior (take those words
literally). It has its original tool kit and factory warranty. It is a low
number car, but I can't find the number quickly tonight.
>
>Since cars of this period did not have a model year designation until the
time of registration, it is most reasonable that these so-called 1958 Dark
Green cars were registered as 1959's. But to reference all of these Dark
Green cars as 1958's gives the impression that they carried the early
windscreen and other oddities peculiar to the early cars which is not true.
>
>Again this may be just a matter of semantics, but I have never considered
anything but an early windscreen car a "1958".
>
>Jay Fishbein, CT
>
>
>On 03/09/99 22:29:51 you wrote:
>>
>>Jay,
>>
>>With all due respect, I believe that Herb was correct in stating that Dark
>>Green was only available on early AN5's. According to the Austin-Healey
>>Sprite Service Parts List, Publication Number AKD829, Third Edition. Dark
>>Green (GN12) was discontinued at Chassis Number AN5/9926. Leaf Green
>>(GN15) was introduced as a replacement colour at Chassis Number AN5/9927.
>>According to Terry Horler's book, Original Sprite and Midget, Chassis
>>number AN5/9926 was manufactured in January 1959. Consequently, this
>>colour was only available during the first 10 months of AN5 production.
>>
>>What is the chassis number of your Dark Green Sprite? Did you ever have
>>British Motor Heritage document the date of manufacture and build
>>specifications of your car? It would be rather interesting to uncover a
>>car finished in Dark Green from the works after the BMC "Documented"
change
>>point. Anything is possible!
>>
>>Brian Thornton
>>AN5
>>AN9
>>
>>>>I believe that dark green appeared only on early '58 cars....
>>>>herb
>>>
>>>Herb,
>>>With all due respect, this is false. For some reason, the Puddlejumper
>>>website has chosen to perpetuate this myth despite the fact that I
>>>brought this to Les Myer's attention early on.
>>>
>>>For any doubters in the audience, I invite you to CT to view an entirely
>>>original dark green 1959 complete with original rubber floor mats, etc.
>>>etc.
>>>
>>>I am still at work and don't have access to my reference materials but I
>>>will check those later upon my return to the ranch.
>>>
>>>Let's at least keep the basic facts straight and not rewrite history.
>>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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