Highlights
- Acquired by the vendor on July 21st 1973
- Successful roadgoing competition car for the past three decades
- Professionally maintained by Peter Morgan Racing, near Wrexham for the last 23 years
- Equipped with Peter May 1380cc engine, straight cut, close ratio gearbox and limited slip diff
- Subject to some restoration work in 2017
- Accompanied by a substantial collection of spare parts
- An image (c1990) of KEY 181 appears on page 202 of Simon Taylor's book "The Shelsley Walsh Story"
The Appeal
Offering attainable performance and great handling, the compact Austin Healey Sprite has long been a mainstay at hill climbs, road rallies and trials events. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Frogeye’ owing to its curious inset headlamps, these charming little cars are wonderful to drive and simple to maintain, with the tried and tested A Series engine sending power to the rear wheels.
This 1961 example has been in present ownership for half a century, and for the past 30 years or so the vendor has used it exclusively as a roadgoing competition car, primarily classic hill climbs and sprints. Equipped with a lightweight glass fibre bonnet, Peter May 1380cc engine, straight cut close ratio gearbox, 4.5 LSD and roll cage, it has reportedly proved a successful entry in many events over the years and it proudly displays a vast collection of scrutineering stickers.
Presented in very good running and driving order, this Sprite looks an incredibly usable example and the vendor informs us that it has been judiciously maintained by Peter Morgan Racing for the past 23 years. The bodywork was professionally restored in 2019 and so the car presents very well for its age.
It isn’t often you get the opportunity to acquire a Frogeye Sprite with such provenance as this, and we’re sure it will continue to impress onlookers at competitive events for many years to come.
The History and Paperwork
- Acquired by the vendor on July 21st 1973
- The vendor advises that there is an anomaly concerning the chassis number and date of first registration. All original documents and a BMIHT certificate are present
- Campaigned in various competitive events for the past thirty or so years
- MOT valid until May 2024 - although exempt
- Used exclusively for competitions since converted, resulting in very few miles covered
- The odometer reads 6,712, although the vendor informs us that the true mileage is 77,754
- Supplied with a substantial collection of spare components
- Offered with one ignition key
The Interior
- Purposeful and spartan - as befits a competition car
- Equipped with a roll cage and OMP three-point race harnesses (only driver’s in date)
- Trim panels and some carpeting remains in place
- Spare Interior trim panels provided
As one would expect from a competition car, this Healey’s interior is very fit for purpose, with all the safety features required to participate in a number of events. The vendor points out that there are a few rough edges as befits a car of this nature, but when you consider its age and usage, there’s nothing we feel warrants any restoration work and it’s really tidy overall.
The carpeting is in reasonable condition, as are the various trim panels. A non-slip aluminium chequer plate panel has been added in the driver’s footwell which likely proves a useful feature on challenging events. The original seat upholstery all looks very smart to us, with black vinyl seats piped in white. These exhibit little in the way of wear and do not appear to have any notable damage.
The dashboard is standard with a cover plate over the radio aperture. An aftermarket VDO electronic rev counter has been fitted and doesn’t look out of place amongst the various competition appointments. There’s a crack in the rear view mirror although it remains functional. The vendor assures us that all the switchgear works correctly. All the controls present well and feel great in operation. The accelerator pedal has been modified to improve heel and toe function and the vendor mentions that original treadle items are supplied amongst the copious spare parts.
The Exterior
- Bodywork restoration carried out by Top Garage of Bromyard in 2019
- Fitted with a lightweight glass fibre bonnet (12.5 kg excluding lights and grille) and an original steel item which has been restored
- Tonneau cover, hardtop and folding canvas roof all present
- Minilite-style wheels with Kumho 175/60 R13 V70A, soft compound tyres
- Also supplied with 4J size wire wheels which are fitted with Avon CR6ZZ 175/70R13 soft compound tyres which were apparently purchased in 2011 - (average tread depth 3mm)
This Frogeye Sprite presents really well for its age and following some bodywork restoration carried out in 2019, is both sound and in very good cosmetic order. Work reportedly included the replacement of the rear lower valance, offside A-post and work carried out to all the door hinges. The car was resprayed, with the exception of the fibreglass bonnet, as this is at most risk of damage in the event of an incident during competition. It provides a 27.5kg weight saving over the original steel item, although this has been restored and dry stored ever since. The vendor advises that this has suffered minor cracking in two places where filler has been used.
The side screens have new rubber seals fitted but these are a bit slack. The folding hood is present but has not been used for many years as it apparently restricts the wearing of a helmet. It is not a particularly good fit, and one fastener is missing. The hardtop is said to fit well and looks in good order. The vendor identifies some age-related crazing and some chips along the edges.
It is supplied with both Minilite-style and wire wheels, both of which are shod with tyres appropriate for competition use.
The Mechanics
- MOT valid until May 2024 with no advisories
- Reportedly in “excellent” mechanical condition
- Peter May 1380cc A Series engine
- Straight cut close ratio gearbox
- Limited Slip Differential
- Modified suspension
- Radiator refurbished in 2019
- The offset trunnions have been re-bushed
- New clutch plate, cover and roller release bearing installed
We’re informed that this Sprite is in excellent mechanical order with a history of judicious servicing, as well as a number of uprated parts. It is said to run really well, boasting strong performance and with no apparent running issues. There is a slight oil leak from the rear crankshaft oil seal as is not unusual on A Series engines, but this is not deemed excessive by the vendor.
A straight cut close ratio gearbox ensures slick changes and the vendor comments that it was rebuilt in 2019 and has since seen very little in the way of use. The radiator was also refurbished in 2019 and the offset trunnions were re-bushed. A new clutch plate, cover and roller release bearing were fitted and so it is said to operate well.
The car has been professionally maintained by Peter Morgan Racing, Balmuir Garage, Nr Wrexham for the last 23 years.
The engine bay looks clean and tidy. There is some paint peeling around the pedal box due to a previous brake fluid spill, but nothing appears excessively scruffy. The car was previously fitted with a lithium battery mounted in the passenger footwell, however, the standard battery has now been mounted in the original location to allow the installation of a passenger seat.
The vendor supplies the following spare parts which have been in storage for a number of years, so are of course, untested:
- Original front springs
- Original rear springs (10 leaf)
- 8 No spring leaves removed from those fitted as part of rear suspension mod’s
- Peter May lowering wedges
- Spring plate bolts (New)
- Original anti-roll bar
- Spare engine mounts (New ones fitted 2019)
- Pair of spare solid anti-roll bar blocks
- Original rubber bushed anti-roll bar mounts
- Original top trunnions (replaced with Peter May off-set trunnions)
- Original steel bonnet, restored and painted (two minor cracks in filler)
- Bonnet hingesBonnet guides/receivers
- Bonnet stays
- Bonnet location cones
- Bonnet safety catch (new)
- Bulkhead bonnet seal
- Heater Box
- Heater motor and trunking
- Dashboard vent and trunking (other one is installed)
- Mounting bracket
- Two door handle knobs (new)
- Battery securing bar
- Kenlow electric cooling fan
- Original steel wheel halfshafts
- Set of rear brake shoes (new)
- Set of Goodrich braided brake hoses (new)
- Clutch and brake pedals
- Fuel gauge (new)
- Roller thrust bearing.
- Carbon thrust bearing
- Scissor jack (new)
- Original A frame jack (less ratchet handle)
- Speedometer cable (New)
- Two choke cables
- Two treadle accelerator pedals (New)
- Original dual brake/clutch master cylinder
- Original pedal box
- Tool roll (empty)
- Front bumper blade with mounting irons
- Original 948cc A Series engine
- Original twin SU carburettors and inlet manifold
- Original exhaust manifold and 2No connecting clamps
- Spare timing chain and gear
- Fuel pressure regulator
- Oil pump
- Water pump
- Oil filter bowl (currently fitted with canister style filter)
- Oil feed pipe
- Set of Omega 73.5 mm 7cc offset dish, standard height
- Piper 649 cam (Replaced with Swiftune SW23T)
- Peter May cylinder head(Part of original Peter May engine build but replaced with big valve Brett Sims head)
- Original 4.2 differential
- 5No 13 x 4J Centre-lock wire wheels fitted with Avon CR6ZZ soft compound tyres. Purchased in 2011
- Electrical cut-out switch
- Box of miscellaneous electrical items, lenses, bulbs, ignition parts etc
- Spare top and bottom hoses
- Front rubber suspension bushes
Summary
For those seeking a competition-ready British sports car, this Austin Healey Sprite has a lot to offer. With a rich history spanning the past fifty years, judiciously maintained mechanicals, a fully prepared interior and restored bodywork, it’s a fantastic specimen.
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.*
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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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