![]() ![]() (It was actually this very reason that sparked this entire Australian CKD history project in the Sprite Car Club.) But at the same time presenting quite an interesting research project. This can actually be a source of frustration for anyone attempting a factory original restoration, trying to work out some of these finer details for your particular car. Most of theses changes took place within the earlier models production run. The differential ratio was also changed to 3.9 some time during 1970. Crossflow radiators running at higher pressures. Plastic window winder and internal door pull handles. Other changes were to negative earth wiring and and alternator, chunckier boot lock handle, internal door latch handles, and quarter light window handles. Later engines blocks were cast with thicker walls. The first cars assembled in 1967 were wired positive earth, had thinly cast engine blocks requiring specially nitrated crank shafts to provide extra rigidity. A total of 1184 Midgets were assembled in Australia.Īpart from the obvious radiator grill and bumper bar changes, there were other less obvious changes that took place during the Midgets production run. The chassis numbers started at number 501 for both model runs. The earlier model had a chassis prefix of YGGN4 or YGN4, while the later model had a prefix of YGN5 and is commonly referred to as the “facelift” model. The later model, with the black pressed metal radiator grill and slim bumber bars was assembled between April 1970 and December 1971. The earlier model is easily identified with the vertical chrome bar radiator grill and was assembled between November 1967 and March 1970. There were two main models produced during the production run. By the time the cars were freighted to Australia, assembled, then sold, it was January 1968. The first Midgets assembled being equivalent to the Sept./Oct. Midgets were imported from the UK in CKD form and assembled locally. Sales of the Mk3 Midget took over from where the Mk3A Sprite finished. It is probably also appropriate to mention here that there were no 1500 or Rubber Nose Midgets assembled in Australia either. If you come across a Mk4 Sprite in Australia, it has either been imported, or is perhaps a Midget that has been re-badged by a previous owner to look like a Sprite. ![]() There were no Mk 4 Sprites assembled in Australia. If you have any information that you think might be of value to our project, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Registrar at The Sprite Car Club of Australia (Inc) about any general details concerning Australian assembled cars, or submit details of your car to the Australian Sprite and Midget Register. The Sprite Car Club of Australia (Inc) is currently working on a project to try and compile a history of CKD Sprites and Midgets in Australia. Most Australian records were lost when Leyland Australia closed down its local plant. The range of models assembled in Australia included the Mk 1, 2, 2A, 3, 3A Sprites, and the Mk3 Midget. However, quite a number of Sprites and Midgets were sent to Australia in a completely knocked down (CKD) kit form to be assembled at Pressed Metal Corporation, at Enfield in Sydney (a BMC Subsidiary). A lot of information is available on Sprites and Midgets, and not surprisingly, most of this information is either United Kingdom or North American based.
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