Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 12:51:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Dietsche <mdietsche@yahoo.com>
Subject: Article about new Sprite....
For those who don't subscribe to Machine Design Journal, here's an
excerpt from the 25 March 99 issue, under the headline "Revamped Frogeye
Takes to the Road":
"Forty years after the original Sprite's introduction, the Frogeye
Supersprite, from the Frogeye Car Co., England, sports technological
improvements, but keeps the trademark exterior and "frog-eye" headlamps.
Austin-Healey made 50,000 of the original Mark I Sprite two-seaters.
The new Supersprite's exterior and interior match the original closely,
but there is a brand new Frogeye under the bonnet. The transmission
tunnel is now square, and provides greater strength than the original
round design. A forward-hinged lift reveals a Rover K-Series 1.4-liter,
four cylinder, 16-valve double overhead cam engine with electronic fuel
injection, programmed injection, and a three-way controlled catalyst.
It develops 103 brake horsepower and links to a five-speed,
all-synchromesh gearbox and floating rear axle. The Supersprite is
built mainly from glass-reinforced plastics…."
They go on to describe the chassis steel tube & rail construction. The
accompanying picture shows a pretty red one in a field (appears to be
RHD). I went to their website at www.machinedesign.com, but
unfortunately they did not make mention of that article.
MD
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