Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
24th of July, 2024 13:00
1958 Austin Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite MkI
Estimate
£10, 000 - £12, 000
Registration No: 829 HPB
Chassis No: AN56250
MOT: Exempt
Provided with a full restoration between 2014 and 2019
Offered with full weather equipment
Known ownership history since 1969
Supplied with a BMIHT Heritage Certificate
Intended as a spiritual successor to inexpensive pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type or Austin 7 Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May 1958. Fruit of the growing partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to a minimum through some inspired BMC parts bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it combined the Austin A35's independent front suspension and four-speed gearbox. Powered by a twin-carburettor fed 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lbft of torque, it was capable of over 80mph. Credit for the Frogeye's wonderful styling lies with both Gerry Coker and Les Ireland. Put on sale for just £669 including purchase tax rarely before or since has a sports car enjoyed such a large fun-to-price ratio.
Finished in British Racing Green with a Black interior, with full weather equipment, this Frogeye is reported to be in very good condition throughout following an extensive restoration by the present owner since his purchase in 2013. Works included a full strip-down and body restoration followed by a bare shell repaint and rust treatment prior to rebuild. Practical upgrades include a strengthened glass fibre front end. Restoration was completed in 2020 to be subsequently inspected and MOT tested by MG Specialists Halls Garage in Bourne, before being extensively campaigned on MG and Sprite Club events. Document files include extensive expenditure records, invoices, progress photographs, manuals, ownership history since 1969, the V5C, RF60, Heritage Certificate etc. Offered for sale only because of the vendor’s ‘advancing years’, HPB has always been garaged and well-maintained since restoration and represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a well sorted and ready-to-go Sprite, eagerly awaiting more adventures!
