Highlights

Full body-off restoration completed in 2011
Original 948cc A-Series engine, fully rebuilt
Converted to front disc brakes during restoration
Repainted in the original factory colour
7,000 miles covered since restoration

The Appeal

The original Austin-Healey Sprite — affectionately known as the Frogeye — is one of the most charming and accessible sports cars of the post-war period. With its distinctive faired-in headlights, ultra-light kerb weight, and rev-happy A-Series engine, it was a car built for fun above all else.

This 1958 example is a particularly appealing one. Subject to a full, body-off restoration in 2011, it retains its original 948cc engine and presents with just 7,000 miles covered since the rebuild. It has been upgraded with disc brakes for improved drivability and features all its original bodywork, resprayed in its factory-correct colour. With a tidy interior, solid mechanicals, and a strong supporting history file, it’s a properly sorted Frogeye ready for the road.

Restored, original, and gently used since completion, this Frogeye Sprite is the sort of car enthusiasts look for but rarely find. It’s not a garage queen nor an over-modified racer — it’s just a proper, honest, and beautifully maintained example of Britain’s most cheerful sports car.

History and Paperwork

Built in 1958
Full restoration completed in 2011
Purchased by current owner in 2012 with just 2 miles post-restoration
Odometer now reads approx. 7,000 miles
Four previous keepers prior to the current owner
V5C present and correctly registered
Document file includes old logbooks, tax discs, MOTs, and restoration photos
Original engine confirmed: No. 9CUH 46411
Believed to have shown approx. 50,000 miles pre-restoration

The Condition

Repainted in original colour during restoration
Bodywork fully retained — no metal replacement
Panels appear straight with even shut lines
Brightwork and trim present well in photographs
No signs of corrosion or bubbling are visible
Presents as a clean, honest example
New carpet fitted during restoration
Original seats retained and present well
Dashboard, switchgear and Smiths gauges all functional
Trim overall shows light age but remains highly presentable
Side screens and weather gear condition not documented

The Mechanics

Original 948cc A-Series engine, fully rebuilt
New brakes, fuel pump, and carburettors fitted recently
New cork seals fitted for compatibility with modern fuel
Converted to front disc brakes during restoration
Starts, idles and drives well per vendor
No known mechanical issues or faults
All electrics and gauges confirmed working

BEFORE YOU BUY

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