Highlights

Only 2 registered owners since new
Fully restored body and engine
Believed to have belonged to an English Lord before the current owner
Stored in a garage
Registered in France with a "Carte Grise de Collection

The appeal

Affectionately nicknamed the 'Frogeye' because of the distinctive position of its headlights, the Austin Healey Sprite is renowned for its exceptional handling and lively performance. These little roadsters have been (and continue to be) a great success in hill-climbing and sprint racing, making them highly sought-after cars today.

This 1959 example represents the model in its purest form, with the iconic 'Frogeye' design that makes these early Sprites so collectible. Having benefited from a full body and engine restoration, this Sprite represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-maintained model with an interesting provenance: only two known owners - an English Lord who initiated the restoration, and the current owner, a former engine specialist.

History and Documents

First registered in 1959, second year of production
Right-hand drive model for the UK market
Only two registered owners: an English Lord who had the restoration carried out, then the current owner
Purchased by the current owner on 9 June 2015
Several photos provided as proof of restoration
Regular maintenance since purchase, according to seller
Collector's registration document
Compliant serial numbers, according to the vendor
MOT expires in May 2020: exempt (pre-1960)

photo frogeye 2 leclere bocquet.jpeg 102.59 KB

General condition

Pale yellow original paintwork in very good condition
Very popular spoked wheels
Bullet" competition type mirrors
Removable doors with sliding windows
Well presented vinyl upholstery
Fully restored bodywork; older restoration remains in good condition
Supplied with tonneau cover and soft top frame
Stored in garage
According to the vendor, nothing has been altered from the original model

Mechanical

990 cm³ in-line 4-cylinder A Series engine
4-speed manual gearbox
Completely rebuilt engine, with photo file of work carried out
Engine restoration carried out by the current owner, a former engine specialist

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.

✓ We ask that a non-refundable fee is paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.

✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.

✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.

✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected].