BUYING WITH CONFIDENCE

CONCOURS £20k- 25k+

1 DON’T PAY TOO MUCH Anything over £25k will need exceptional provenance. Decent ‘Sebring Sprite’ replicas can fetch anything up to £30k, too.

2 IS IT AN ORIGINAL? Cream of the crop are original UK cars with matching numbers and long evidence of enthusiast ownership and expert attention.

3 CHECK THE ENGINE Original 948cc units tick the authenticity box, but larger A-series engines add appeal too. Sensitivity to tradition dictates top values.

GOOD £15k- 20k

1 LOOK AT THE TRIM The trim is basic and can be refreshed without breaking the bank, so should be considered among the least of your concerns.

2 SPOT THE UPGRADES Traditional modifications include GRP bonnets, wire wheels, later Midget disc brakes and engine tweaks. Done well, they’re all desirable.

3 CHECK THE QUALITY

Restoration work must be good at this money. Reject dodgy filler, poor panel gaps, or weaknesses around sills and jacking points.

USABLE £10k- 15k

1 LOOK OUT FOR ABUSE Watch out for signs of thrashed engines in otherwise pretty cars. Blue smoke is the surest sign that a rebuild will soon be needed.

2 HAS IT BEEN CRASHED? Sprites get hammered, so be alert for signs of accidents; look for hidden cracks or crumples and iffy alignment.

3 LOOK OUT FOR LEAKS Oil seepage around the differential is common. If it looks like an old leak, expect diff’ wear. Halfshafts break, too.

PROJECT £5k- 10k

1 WATCH THE WELDING Prepare for a great deal of welding. Fortunately, the whole front end hinges upwards, making inspection easy.

2 IS ANYTHING MISSING? Sprites are simple, small and light to haul about, there’s a huge enthusiast network and parts are easy enough to come by.

3 COST UP THE RESTO With complete new shells costing a whisker under £12k, you’ll only get your money back after intense personal toil and scrimping!