Affectionately known as the Frogeye, the Sprite is a driver-focused, undiluted roadster with endearing charm. An answer to the worry’s of the boffins at Austin who believed that sports cars were “getting too big and luxurious”, and Healey agreed. Upon its reveal in 1958, it set the standard for small, minimalist, affordable sports cars with cutting edge technology for the time.
This handsome example has rarely been used in the last 18 months and is looking for a new custodian - with a shockingly low 32-thousand miles on the clock, reported to be genuine, it remains in excellent mechanical health and was a regular run-around with the current keeper up until 2022. UIeSw7H1a7Loi1TDuxJoOIWIiSHSlaZDzdaQuq8z.jpg331.38 KB
The History and Paperwork
Originally registered on the 9th of May 1961
Owned by the current owner since January 2018 and cherished ever since
V5C present and ready for transfer
Rich history of MOT certificates dating back to 1992 confirming the vehicles authentic mileage
MOT exempt
The vehicle underwent a thorough inspection in 2017 at Classic Revival, a Frogeye specialist since ‘87
Good selection of invoices for work carried out on the vehicle
Completely stripped and repainted in 2018 - the bodywork remains excellent
Dark blue vinyl upholstery with ice blue piping remains in lovely condition with only very gentle signs of use, all of the stitching appears to remain intact
Dashboard was completely restored to original Sprite specification and remains excellent with lovely brightwork
Doors removed and fitted with a black liner
Carpets all appear to be in well maintained condition with gentle signs of age but no apparent damage
Stunning three-spoke Moto-Lita steering wheel in beautiful condition, wood grain rim remains free of any damage
Austin Healey Sprite steering wheel badge present in lovely shape
Smiths gauges are all in lovely condition and function as expected, showing a mere 32,254 miles
Window brightwork appears to be excellent with no signs of pitting or damage
CT Racing sill kick plates
Small, cosy and undiluted form with no modern-day distractions - this Sprite is the purest form of driving and for that, remains a staple in the automotive world
Speedwell Blue paintwork, which was refreshed in 2018 thanks to a full bare metal respray. The paint condition still remains excellent with only small hints of use
Original white hard top roof in good condition with light signs of age in the form of paint chips, there doesn’t appear to be any cracks or damage
Front and rear light clusters are completely functional and show no signs of damage, and the front Frogeyes have excellent brightwork surrounds
AA and Austin Healey Club badges on the front grill
Rear mounted luggage rack present and appears to be in excellent condition
The hard top was removed in 2018 and a soft top cover was installed in its place - it remains in great shape with no real signs of age
Bodywork in excellent condition with no apparent signs of rust or corrosion, and all of the panels appear to be straight with good panel gaps
Original wire spoke wheels all round appear in fantastic condition, and the spinners have excellent brightwork
All wheels shod in good tyres, with Dunlops on the rear and Runway Enduros up front
Outstandingly charming form, these Sprites have a reputation for making passerbys smitten over their good looks - and this one is certainly one of the better ones!
When it comes to Austins, there’s very little to hate. In fact, most of the time there really is nothing - it’s all love - especially with a Mark I Sprite in a cherished condition such as this. These 60’s sports cars are still deemed one of the most influential vehicles in the automotive world, thanks to going back to basics and ripping out the distracting luxuries of sports cars of the time, Austin made one outstanding driver-focused little car.
This example would make a stunning addition to anyone's collection, a proper piece of well preserved history - and a (half) ton of fun!
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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