There’s something slightly ironic about the Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 4. Introduced in 1967, the fourth-generation of Sprite was spawned from the MG Midget in the very same way that the original 1961 Midget was born out of the first-generation Sprite.
With its conventional bonnet and simpler pop-up bonnet, the Midget was a much easier car to build than the ‘Frogeye’ Sprite on which it was based, and thus when the newly formed British Leyland Motor Company set about a round of rationalisation in 1967, the Sprite was brought into line with its MG sister model, with little difference between the cars other than their badges.
The benefit for Sprite buyers was the introduction of a 65bhp 1,275cc engine – the largest A-Series derivative and one which gave the little sports car an eager turn of pace thanks to its featherweight bodywork. It would carry on that way until 1971, when the relationship between Austin and Healey drew to a close and the model was dropped altogether.
The car we have here is a 1970 Sprite in fantastic restored condition. It was bought by the vendor’s late husband in 2013 and restored over a two-year period. It’s an absolute stunner and has been beautifully finished. Indeed, it was its owner’s pride and joy until he passed away in 2020.
His widow has finally decided to part with the car. Having driven it a couple of times herself but having not really got on with it, she wants the car to go on to be enjoyed by someone who will derive as much pleasure from it as her husband did.
Lots of invoices from rebuild totalling over £6,000
UK V5C
Tax and MOT exempt
There’s not much early history with the Austin-Healey other than a British Motor Heritage Certificate stating that it was supplied new to Howells Motor Company in Cardiff, South Wales, in 1970 – a fair distance from the Suffolk coast where it currently resides. Back then, it was Bronze Yellow with steel wheels.
It was acquired by the vendor’s husband in 2013 and he had the car restored over a two-year period, carrying out much of the mechanical work himself but entrusting the bodywork to a local classic car specialist – in among a pile of invoices for parts purchased to restore the car is a receipt for over £4,000 for body restoration and paint. The work was done to a very high standard.
Included in the sale is a flip photo album containing a record of the car’s rebuild and colour change. It also comes with a UK V5C in the name of the vendor, having acquired it officially in 2021 as part of her husband’s estate.
The Sprite is lovely inside, with retrimmed black vinyl seats and a delicate Moto Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel. The carpets and door trims were also renewed during the restoration.
A modern stereo/CD player has been added, but otherwise the cabin is finished to its original 1970 specification. There’s also a pop-on tonneau cover to use when the roof is down.
A bare metal respray was carried out in 2015 and the result is a car that is in astonishing condition throughout, the local bodyshop that carried out the work having done a fantastic job making it look absolutely superb all over, with very few flaws in the paint.
The chrome is excellent and the wire wheels and rear luggage rack are nice additional touches for classic touring.
It has also benefitted from a brand-new hood fitted during the restoration and barely used as the car has been garage-stored and only used in dry weather, with the hood stowed beneath the tonneau.
If you’re wondering why it says ‘Dennis’ on the wings and boot lid, that’s the car’s name… Dennis Healey.
Brakes, suspension and steering equipment all renewed during restoration
Things will be familiar under the bonnet to any fan of British cars – a BMC A-Series unit developing 65bhp, equipped with twin carburettors. This one has added performance air filters, along with braided fuel hoses.
The engine was fully overhauled during the restoration and the majority of components renewed, along with a new clutch, exhaust system, brake discs and pads, shock absorbers, bushes and steering arms, to name but a few of the parts documented in the invoice history.
Since the owner passed away, the Sprite has been run up and driven a few times by a family friend to ensure everything has been kept lubricated and working properly. He describes the car as very entertaining to drive and in good working order.
If you’re in the market for a Sprite (or Midget, of course) that needs nothing doing to it apart from enjoying, then here it is. A gorgeous little car in beautiful restored condition that now needs to be treasured and enjoyed in the same manner as its late previous owner did. It’s a beautiful car, in terrific order throughout.
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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.
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1971 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 4
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