Just couldn’t resist reading up and doing as much research as the dark winter evenings would allow. Scouring the web, there is a wealth of information published by BMC covering all aspects of the Frogeye. From technical bulletins, to manuals (a few of which can be viewed in the documents section). What caught my eye were the approved accessories. Who couldn’t resist the official BMC Tartan Picnic Blanket in 12 different colourways. Sadly like many of the accessories, originals are very rare and expensive, so I looked elsewhere. Terry Horler’s excellent book, Original Sprite and Midget. The Restorers Guide to all Austin Healey and MG Models 1958-79 was my starting point as it give hugely detailed information of the approved accessories, available in 1960, particularly the BMC part numbers. The job then was to research images to be sure we had the correct item.
Exhaust Pipe Trim 27H9806. Found the brochure with a picture. Matches the one on the car, externally rolled! Sidescreen pull blocks, what size should they be? made these, but will confirm when we see the “real” thing before fitting.
The research into the correct toolkit has also been absorbing, (yes really) by the time our Frogeye hit the production line, the tool kit had been rationalised from the original thirteen items to just seven, but lets see if we can find the full thirteen.
The thirteen part toolkit. Most of the items are in the collection, with a recent addition starting a refurb.
The hunt for original BMC accessories continues, on the look out for the rather appealing Lucas twin tone horns! Meanwhile there is quite a long list of little jobs, for example some small repairs to the tonneau cover. The bigger restoration to be tackled, is the hardtop. Still in the process of exploring the best approach on that!
The “rhubarb” has been removed from the hardtop. Current condition and proposed outcome.
Frogeye 