Classic/Antique Car Repair: Austin Healey question, austin healey bugeye sprite, austin healey bugeye

Question
I just purchased an 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite on eBay and the car arrived today. Seems to run well and be in good condition. However, I'm having trouble figuring out how to shift it into reverse. Do you know is there some special procedure? I've never had this problem with any other manual transmission car I have driven. Thanks for any advise or suggestions...

Answer
Hi James,
No, nothing special about the Sprite gearbox. You need to explain what you mean by It will not go into reverse. It grinds the gears when you try? You can't find reverse in the pattern? It seems to shift into reverse but nothing happens when you let the clutch out? The shift lever will not go into the reverse pattern?

You can e-mail me at fitzcharlesh@bellsouth.net
Howard