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Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1 1959

General description : Model History

The Austin Healey Sprite was a small open-top sports car produced from 1958 to 1971. It was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in May 1958, two days after that year’s Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that “a chap could keep in his bike shed”, yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven. The Sprite was designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at the MG factory at Abingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down.

The Sprite soon became affectionately known as the "frogeye" in the UK because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet, inboard of the front wings. It was originally intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use; a similar arrangement was used many years later on the Porsche 928 and 968. But cost-cutting by BMC led to the flip-up mechanism being deleted, therefore the headlights were simply fixed in a permanently upright position; this gave the car its most distinctive feature and much-loved cute appearance. Other quirks of the Mk1 Sprite included a lack of exterior door handles (the driver and passenger were required to reach inside to open the doors) and no boot lid, meaning access to the spare wheel and luggage compartment was achieved by tilting the seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck.

Equipment

Old English White paintwork, Red upholstery, Wire wheels, Black vinyl soft-top, Detachable side screens, Tonneau cover, Twin SU carburettors, Rev counter, Windscreen washers, Spare wire wheel, Original steel bonnet, Heritage certificate.

Exterior

Finished in the desirable combination of Old English White with deep red upholstery, this charming Frogeye presents superbly inside and out. The car is a very honest UK-supplied example that boasts its original registration mark, steel clamshell bonnet, full weather equipment, and wire wheels.

Back in 2015 – following on from a ten year period of dry storage – some light mechanical re-commissioning and sympathetic restorative work was carried out. The entire car was stripped down and treated to a full re-paint costing in the region of £5k. All lights, badges and trims were removed, the engine bay was cleaned up, the inner wings were stripped back and painted, and the suspension was cleaned. The rear wings were also treated to new lower sections, with any corrosion being cut out and replaced with new metal. Pleasingly the original steel bonnet was retained and re-finished as necessary.

Interior

The diminutive cabin space is wonderfully presented having been re-trimmed to a great standard in recent years. The deep red upholstery is a winning combo against the Old English White and sets the car off beautifully, especially with the ivory piping. The bucketed seats are comfortable and supportive with little wear to speak of. The red carpets are also well presented, and the dash is without any marking.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Between 1998 and 2001 a substantial amount of mechanical work was carried out to the Sprite. The cylinder head was rebuilt and converted for unleaded fuel, the block was re-bored and new pistons, main bearings, and big end bearings were fitted. The oil pump, timing chain, and clutch were also replaced; the work was carried out by a main dealer service department in the north. Furthermore, the car was treated to all new coolant hoses, a new radiator and water pump, new halfshaft hub oil seals and ‘o' rings, a new rear axle oil seal, new fuel pipes, new brake cylinders, brake shoes, brake hoses, brake drums, and a new master cylinder. The suspension was also fitted with new bushes and wishbones.

During the car’s more recent re-commissioning the engine and gearbox were removed and both rebuilt, the carbs were stripped, rebuilt and reset, the brakes were overhauled as required, various electrical work was carried out, new rear axle straps and bolts were fitted, and various hoses were replaced as was the thermostat.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

The Sprite sits on 13-inch wire wheels finished in dark silver; a spare is present in the rear storage compartment. The wheels remain in good order and are fitted with a matching set of tyres. The brakes are also in fine condition having only recently been checked and adjusted in October 2019.

History File

This lovely Mk1 Healey Sprite has been thoroughly enjoyed over recent years, offering reliable and fun open-top motoring with plenty of classic charm. It was built in November 1958 and first registered in early ’59; it was supplied new by Murray and Charlton Limited, County Durham. The accompanying History File is full of invoices detailing the car’s rich maintenance history over the last few years, with paperwork dating back to the late nineties. The documentation is complete with an official heritage certificate and MOT certificate valid until October 2020.

http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/austin-healey-sprite-mk1-for-sale/

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1 is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £17995.

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