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MG Midget and Sprite General - Supercharged Sprite

Has there ever been a "factory" Sprite with a supercharger fitted as standard?
Saw one last week and owner said it was factory fitted.
998 cc but can't remember what the brand was. Looked quite cosy under the bonnet.
Col.
c pearce

Only in record breaking
Not for sale to any one.
There were a lot of aftermarket kits build especialy for the small 948 and 1098 engine's
Some might not even void the waranty if pressure was kept below a certain number (though I might be mistaken with the pre-war midgets)
Onno Könemann

Thanks for the reply. I did not think there was one but it certainly look neat and apparently went well too.
Opps small engine is 948?
Mine being 1275 I never think smaller.
Col.
c pearce

A chap I worked with 40+ years ago in London bought a frogeye sprite in the mid 1960's with a shorrocks supercharger fitted. I think the car had a "Shorrocks" metal badge on it as well. I met him a few years ago at a works reunion and he said he still owned the car, although it had been off the road for a long time. The supercharger was now off the car and in bits,as there had been a problem with it, but he still had it.
Geoff Mears

Cool can i have it ;) and the frog to please.
It is a very nice period way to give your small bore engine near 1275 power.
It realy looks great under the bonnet
Onno Könemann

See here on my website.
Supercharger supplied by the Donald Healey Motor Company (at the Cape) 1959.
http://frogeye.smugmug.com/Cars/Frogeye-Period-Articles/16304897_tAwMC#1238329190_33gFH-O-LB
Gary & Gaps

Iirc the healey motor comp was by this time more a dealer/race prep outfit.
As austin healey was the official manufacturer.
but it does make the factory car definition more shady
Onno Könemann

IIRC one of the early FIA homologations was for a supercharged Sprite....
David Smith

If I could I would upload a couple of photos but I can't seem to upload even a compressed photo.
It was a Shorrick and it did have a metal badge which fitted neatly around the Sprite badge.
Col.
c pearce

I might have that homologation but i'd have to check at home.

Col you can send them to me than I will resize them.
Onno€€€konemann.eu replace the €€€ with@
Onno Könemann

Ray English in Australia had a few of the "Supercharged" badges produced a few years ago. the ones which you describve which fits around the existing badge. So it's logical that you would have seen it in Oz
Gary & Gaps

On a number of occasions some years back I saw a supercharged frogeye, 948 fitted with a Shorrock supercharger from near new IIRC. IIRC it was based in Bovey Tracey or Newton Abbot in Devon at the time. Quite a nice car by the look of it but I always saw it parked for show.
David Billington

David,

Was it this one?
http://frogeye.smugmug.com/Mk1SpritesFrogeye/Mk1-Sprite-Photographic/16256301_6U8SD#1221475717_PXrdh-A-LB
Gary & Gaps

Gary,

Might be but can't be sure as at the time it had its bonnet up to display the interesting bits and I didn't pay any attention to the registration. The location stuck in my mind though so if that area then it's probably the one.
David Billington

My friend Michael has a frogeye (restauration or beyond) who had a Judson supercharger.
Very original car with rubber floormats and the factory crayon.
Dont believe I have a photo...
Arie de Best

I believe it to be David Clarkson's Sprite as written about by our own Mr D Stapleton (of this manor).
See here
http://books.google.com/books?id=V3STrysMNjQC&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=david+clarkson+sprite&source=bl&ots=p6BR-ae0ph&sig=srz5w0PkryB_D188qkDVq7pAXeI&hl=en&ei=OrcETozbCNG4hAeCkLziDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=david%20clarkson%20sprite&f=false
Gary & Gaps

Col.

As Gary and others point out the above, it was a Healey 'approved option'.

The Shorrocks C75B was most suited to the 948 and 1098 engines, it doesn't have enough blow to increase the power of a 1275 although I've seen many people try....

Where in NSW are you? I'm up on the Gold Coast and have a couple of Frogeyes (Bugeyes). It'd be good to catch up if you are not too far away.... :-)

Finally, The plus 0.060" over bore on a 948cc engine gave 996cc not 998. (and yes there are ways to increase to 998 but that's another story... ).

Mark.
M T Boldry

Mark, I am in Northern NSW Armidale on the New England Hwy.
Not too far away from the Gold Coast. I have been following you as you travelled around the world. I thought you might have come to Armidale as the queensland MG/Sprite clubs have been here a coulple of times resently.
Difinitly a Shorrick set up.
Col.

c pearce

Col
I have made a cut out of the Badge so it is readable.
Looks very nice!

Onno Könemann

And here a picture of the instalation.
Thanks Col for e-mailing them so the could be shared!

Very original looking (just got my Horler in )

Onno Könemann

That's a lovely looking Sprite and I LIKE the colour....!

I couldn't get down to Armidale Col as I was in the UK last time the Qld Sprite Club visited... Next time though.

I think Anita and I may take a drive down to Coffs Harbour before too long, maybe we can arrange to catch up then...?

Mark.
M T Boldry

Mark, I would love to catch up. Only 2 1/2 hrs from Coffs.
Col
As you can see in the photos it is a very nice car and yes,the colour does suit it.
c pearce

G'day Col and Mark,
I saw that Sprite in the paddock at Bathurst a couple of years ago. The owner said that it's a big healey colour Florida Green (GN-1). It's a lovely car and has a Shorrock badge on the rear as well.

Phil.
PRC Cuthbert

This thread was discussed between 24/06/2011 and 27/06/2011

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