1959 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite Ex Hershey Hill Climb Racing Car
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
• Registered Historic
• High cultural status
• 1000hr+ restoration
THE BACKGROUND
In 1952 a number of British car makers, including Austin, Morris, Wolesley, Riley, and MG, were merged together to form the British Motor Corporation. This merger pretty much ensured the survival of a number of British car names that would otherwise have quietly disappeared but also came at the cost of a merging not only of the companies, but also of designs.
This essentially meant that BMC would make a number of pretty much identical models but put different name badges on them along with different grilles and trim, thus rationalizing production and new model development costs. It was into this environment that the Austin-Healey Sprite was created, but in its first iteration it was created as a unique model, only to be “badge engineered” for the Mark II and subsequent models.
The Austin-Healey partnership also occurred in 1952 beginning at the London Earls Court Motor Show of that year. Leonard Lord of Austin was trying to find the right car for Austin to build and export to the United States to make lots of lovely money with while independent sports car maker Donald Healey had rather sensibly created a sports car based primarily on commonly available and affordable Austin parts.
Donald Healey’s car was called the “Healey 100” and when Leonard Lord saw it and realized the potential he and Donald Healey got together over dinner and entered into a partnership to build the cars under the Austin banner as the Austin-Healey 100. It was this partnership that paved the way for the creation of the smaller and much cheaper Austin-Healey Sprite.
THE HISTORY
The car was found in Pennsylvania, New York state in 2019, before being brought back to the UK to undergo its rebirth over the last 2 years.
It had been dry stored in a barn for around 25years. We were told it had most recently been used to compete at the world famous Hershey Hill Climb during the 70’s. It is also believed to have competed in circuit racing during this period, the SCCA Championship, driven by Dr Edward Shantz.
The car is an all steel body, and given its provenance, could be used in various race series, including BRSCC, Historic hill climb, or potentially GOODWOOD GRRC eligible (if you know the right people!)
With this in mind, aside from the period modifications, the suspension and brakes have been left in their original format, ie coil springs front, leaf springs back with lever arm shocks and drum brakes all round. Many of these series specify originality in these areas.
THE PAPERWORK
Comes with a tonne of receipts for its extensive rebuild
THE INTERIOR
It retains the original period steering wheel and dashboard configuration. It has the essentials in terms of dials, including oil pressure gauge, and oil pressure light. Ignition, fuel pump and lights are controlled via a fetching array of toggle switches.
The seats are apparently like new and are low back buckets on adjustable rails, and are extremely comfortable. A set of LUKE 4 point harnesses keep you firmly in the cockpit. There is a FIA type ignition cut off switch and Fire Extinguisher which may be required depending on use. The old style handbrake has been replaced with a more modern hydraulic unit, to hold the car more effectively when parked in the paddock
The seats are apparently like new and are low back buckets on adjustable rails, and are extremely comfortable. A set of LUKE 4 point harnesses keep you firmly in the cockpit. There is a FIA type ignition cut off switch and Fire Extinguisher which may be required depending on use. The old style handbrake has been replaced with a more modern hydraulic unit, to hold the car more effectively when parked in the paddock
THE EXTERIOR
When the current owner found the car it was very solid indeed; not the usual rusty frogeye. The bodywork was taken back to the metal at which stage where they noticed some light peppering to the floors. Most likely where mice had lived in the footwells over the years. Therefore, they decided to replace the entire floor with a new panel from ‘Frogeye Spares’. This was spot welded in the original manner, seam sealed, and undersealed for lasting protection. The bonnet, doors, boot and rest of the body were all original.
The body was lightly repaired where necessary from any minor battle scars from its years racing, but the owner did not want to go too far as to lose its charm, therefore the trim and original period steering wheel etc still retain some period patina.
The Body has been resprayed in a striking Orange, with contrasting white stripes. The bonnet has been modified to e-type style flip front for easier servicing and has some very neat catches at the side with leather straps on top to hold it firmly in place. The period roll over bar with additional tunnel braces has been retained. To the rear an Aston fuel filler has been fabricated which really finishes it off.
The suspension is of standard type. The rear lever arms have been replaced with reconditioned units. Upfront there is a large anti roll bar, and stiffened springs. Brakes are drums all around, which have had new shoes and wheel cylinders throughout, as well as master cylinder with all new copper lines and rubber hoses to complement them.
The Frogeye sits on a set of brand new Minilite wheels in a 13x5.5 format. This gives a touch more width and a more planted look. Accompanied by a set of Yokohama A539 track tyres, the handling is superb.
THE MECHANICS
The engine is a period correct A series unit, freshly built by our friends at ‘Thorn-Falcon Racing’. Based on a stronger A+ unit this 1275 has had a freshly ground crank, lightened pistons, gas flowed head, and Piper Competition camshaft. The seller then added a Weber 45 DCOE carburettor with filter king regulator.
A performance tubular exhaust manifold with a custom straight through system and Cherry Bomb rear silencer provide a superb sound. It benefits from more modern Powerspark electronic ignition and a Lumenition MS4 Megaspark coil. In addition to this fuelling is taken care of by a rear mounted Facet Posiflow electronic fuel pump.
The owner put in a new original type steel fuel tank and ran new plastic hard lines while they were at it. All HT leads, plugs and distributor cap are new high performance units. Water pump is new, as are all hoses. Upfront is a very pretty Aluminium Radiator with Kenlow style electric fan.
A performance tubular exhaust manifold with a custom straight through system and Cherry Bomb rear silencer provide a superb sound. It benefits from more modern Powerspark electronic ignition and a Lumenition MS4 Megaspark coil. In addition to this fuelling is taken care of by a rear mounted Facet Posiflow electronic fuel pump.
The owner put in a new original type steel fuel tank and ran new plastic hard lines while they were at it. All HT leads, plugs and distributor cap are new high performance units. Water pump is new, as are all hoses. Upfront is a very pretty Aluminium Radiator with Kenlow style electric fan.
The engine is coupled to a later sprite RIB CASE gearbox. This is desirable as it is much stronger, but more importantly easier to replace the gearsets for track or hill climb use, with various ratios available to buy.
The clutch, release bearing, master and slave cylinders are all new units.
All engine, transmission and brake fluids are fresh and of the highest quality. All the old wiring throughout the car was removed. This has been replaced with a custom lightweight loom, running a more modern alternator and more modern fuse box for ease of maintenance.
The engine starts on the button and sounds simply superb. It revs very freely and has minimal use since completion so is ready to be enjoyed. We are told this engine should put out 100-105bhp, over double that of the original car!
THE APPEAL
In summary, this is a fully restored historic racing Frogeye with great provenance, and eligible for multiple race series. It’s a rare ALL STEEL bodied car, and has just had a 1000hr restoration. Complemented by a very powerful race engine it is ready to enjoy!
It is fully road registered so you can drive it to the Track or pop to pick up a takeaway. This has clearly been done by someone who knows what they’re doing and the pictures and detail that the owner/builder, has been able to go into just highlights this.
Registered as a historic vehicle means it’s also TAX and MOT exempt. It also comes with Heritage Certificate from Austin Healey and Frogeye Owners Club. This is absolutely a rare occasion to purchase a fantastic, purpose built little racer.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1959
- Make Austin Healey
- Model Frogeye Sprite
- Colour Orange
- Odometer 0
- Engine size 1275
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Devizes
- Location Wiltshire
- Country United Kingdom
27
bids
- Jo•••• £13,500 22/09/22
- to•••• £12,000 15/09/22
- He•••• £11,500 15/09/22
- to•••• £11,250 15/09/22
- He•••• £11,000 15/09/22
- to•••• £10,750 15/09/22
- He•••• £10,500 15/09/22
- ug•••• £10,250 15/09/22
- to•••• £9,500 15/09/22
- ri•••• £9,100 15/09/22
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