1960 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1
£15,250
Austin-Healey Sprite MkI
1960 | 948cc A-Series | Convertible | Leaf Green | Red Interior | Wet Weather Gear | Full Restoration
Specification:
MkI ‘Frogeye’ Sprite in Leaf Green. 948cc A-Series engine with 4spd manual transmission. Single SU carburettor. Cabin heater. Original steel wheels with excellent Maxxis whitewall radial tyres. Wet weather gear and tonneau cover. Registered on 8h April 1960 in London. Tax and MoT exempt.
Description:
The Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Frogeye’ in the UK (or ‘Bugeye’ in the US) was launched in 1958 as an affordable, lightweight sports car developed by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) under the Austin-Healey marque. Powered by a 948cc A-Series engine producing around 43 horsepower, the car was capable of modest but spirited performance thanks to its low weight and nimble handling. It paved the way for the later Sprite, which was badge engineered into arguably the better-known MG Midget which were produced all the way up to 1979!
This particular car, affectionately known as ‘Betsy’ by the current owner, has had a lot of restoration work carried out over recent years. Unfortunately, not much history is known prior, but many thousands been spent in the last 5 years of ownership with a local specialist with work including replacing many brake components, various oil seals on engine and axle, a reconditioned gearbox and new clutch, hoses and ignition components, a new wiring loom… the list goes on!
The car is in standard specification, and looks great in its period colour combination. The peppy A-Series engine starts and runs nicely as you would expect, and accelerates willingly through the gears up to a reasonable cruising speed, though winding country roads are where this car excels with her very direct handling. She has recently been serviced, and looks almost like new in the engine compartment.
Looking around the car, the bodywork is lovely and straight with a nice paint job (which carries through to the underside), with only very few small marks. Her paintwork is not ‘concours’ having a few defects, but it shines up very nicely and will look great at shows and meets! The chrome work is all in great shape with good straight bumpers. Underneath, the car is in lovely order with stone chipped and painted floorpan/wheelarches etc, with no nasty repairs visible or indeed any corrosion requiring attention. All 4 tyres are like new and the joints, brake pipes etc are in good working order.
The interior is in good condition with no rips or cracks in the vinyl trim and all the electrics work thanks to a brand-new wiring loom recently fitted. In the boot (accessed by tipping the seats forward) is the hood and frame, side screens, a tonneau cover (which is probably the most useable item) plus a green indoor car cover to keep it dust free when the car is stored away.
Overall, Betsy is a lovely little sports car that is certainly ready to be driven and enjoyed, and is in fine fettle for years to come. The odometer reads 48,089 but we cannot verify this. There is a small history file with recent receipt of works carried out, old MoTs and the current V5C. The car will be MoT’d upon sale (although MoT exempt). Please get in touch if you are interested!
Price: £15,250
Please note, this vehicle sold on a behalf of a client, therefore we are unable to offer a warranty on this vehicle.