Interest in all things MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite never wains and there’s a real love for those cars in the kitcar industry, of course, either as donors, subjects for conversions or just because they are MG Midgets and AH Sprites!

An interesting new arrival on the scene is James Barratt of Barratt Engineering who offers a Nissan Micra CG engine transplant for the ‘Spridget’. I didn’t know until James told me that Nissan produced thousands of A-Series engines under licence back in the day.

Coincidentally, their latter-day Nissan Micra unit was very similar in design and stature and was also available in 998cc and 1275cc forms as well as a 1348cc version. As a result, it bolts straight into a Spridget’s engine bay.

Neat Nissan Micra CG fits straight into a ‘Spridget’ chassis and is a direct replacement for the A-Series

You get a modern unit, with around 80bhp that responds well to a bit of tuning.

The conversion kit costs £1275 and includes items such as serpentine belt package, spigot bearing, gearbox adaptor, clutch kit and crankshaft pulley, while if you wish, James can supply you with a suitable ‘donor’ engine from just £250.

Who’d have thunk it?!

Remember where you heard this one first.

More information is available from www.barrattengineering.co.uk or barrattengineering@hotmail.com ENDS.