Vendor supplied photos
Highlights
- One of the last 1,022 produced - badged ‘Austin Sprite’
- Comprehensive history file with bills for various works
- Full engine rebuild at 77,000 miles
- Retains its original colour - ‘Bronze Yellow’
- Stored in a garage since 2017
The Appeal
Intended to be a sports car that “a chap could keep in his bike shed”, the Austin-Healey Sprite took advantage of the burgeoning mid-century sports car market. British buyers wanted a compact rear-wheel drive roadster to compete in hill climb events and regularity rallies - tasks for which the agile Sprite proved eminently capable.
Here we have one of the last made, a 1971 MkIV Austin Sprite which remains in very original order. The last 1,022 dropped the ‘Healey’ name so that British Leyland would no longer need to pay the Donald Healey Motor Company. Still sporting its factory ‘Bronze Yellow’, it looks great and thanks to a recent engine rebuild, we’re informed that it’s wonderful to drive as well.
History and Paperwork
- One of the last 1,022 examples
- RHD UK car first registered 1st August 1971
- Purchased by the current owner in 2017
- Accompanied by a detailed service record
- Exempt from MOT testing and road tax
- Last MOT conducted on 21/07/2017
- The odometer reading of 79,999 miles is reportedly accurate and unaltered
- The car has been stored in a garage since 2017
The Condition
- Bodywork, paintwork, and interior all in very good order
- Comprehensively renovated in 2014 and carefully maintained since
- ‘Bronze Yellow’ paintwork
- Rostyle alloy wheels
- The folding roof looks in lovely order and reportedly; operates correctly
- Straight bodywork with very good panel fit
- The interior trim is in smart original condition with minimal wear
- We’re assured that the underside is in good shape
The Mechanics
- 1,275 cc A Series engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive
- The original engine was rebuilt at 77,000
- We’re informed that it has only been driven 22 miles since the last service was completed
- The vendor says that it’s immense fun to drive
- We’re not informed of any mechanical issues
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
