Update by Tim Suddard to the
Austin-Healey Sprite project car
Apr 30, 2024
|
Restoration,
Bugeye Sprite
Photography by Tim Suddard
To say that an early Sprite interior is simple is an understatement. These cars came from the factory with rubber mats, a vinyl cover behind the seats and a plastic, two-spoke steering wheel.
Our goal was to make this place a bit plusher with top-quality fittings courtesy of leather seats and richer materials throughout. Our little Bugeye Sprite deserved better, right?
Thanks to Moss Motors, this was not going to be that difficult or expensive.
We started with their navy-blue door and side panel restoration kit ($399.99).
It includes fresh vinyl for the doors, quarter panels, kick panels, transmission tunnel and door pockets. The interior wooden panels are also included in the kit and need to be wrapped with the vinyl.
While the instructions are fairly simple, you will barely need them. What you will need–as it does not come with the kit–is the metal band found at the top of each door pocket. This metal band secures the wood panel and the fabric to the door. You also might need to, as we did, trim the included wood panels.
Once you have your kick panels, under-door panels and rear quarter panels in place and screwed down, you will need the door seal–not included but also available from Moss Motors.
You will also need about four yards of vinyl to finish the interior–like behind the seats, etc. Moss Motors sells it at $19.49 per yard.
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