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Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI

Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI

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Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkIAustin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Lot number 22
Hammer value N/S (est. £10,000 - £12,000)
Description Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite MkI
Registration 919 UYV
Year 1959
Colour Yellow
Engine size 1,100 cc
Chassis No. AN5-L/22299
Documents V5C; one old MOT; US Certificate of Title; Heritage Certificate

Designed by Donald Healey in partnership with BMC, the MkI Sprite was launched in 1958 and inspired huge public affection due to its lively road manners and cute 'Frogeye' styling by Gerry Coker and Les Ireland.

Based around humble A35 underpinnings it combined the A35's independent front suspension, four-speed gearbox and quarter elliptic leaf-sprung back axle with the Morris Minor's direct rack-and-pinion steering. Powered by a twin-carb 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lb/ft of torque, it was capable of over 80mph. Very basic in many ways (it had no exterior door handles and no opening boot lid), it cost just £669 at launch.

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this LHD Frogeye was built in September 1959 and was destined for the French market, arriving in Paris later that month. Nothing is known of the subsequent history of the car but at some point it made its way across the Atlantic, export documents showing that it was shipped back to the UK from Rhode Island, USA, in 2016.

A plaque on the dashboard states that it was specially imported for Eric Spurrier (presumably a former American owner) and decals on the bodywork suggest that it was used as a race car in the States, as do the racing harnesses, beefed up suspension, sports steering wheel, Minilite-style alloy wheels and bespoke aluminium dash with additional instruments.

The V5C records it as being fitted with a 1,275cc engine but we are told that the engine currently fitted is an 1,100cc unit which is missing a few hoses etc so will need some work to get it plumbed in properly before it can be driven. The all-steel body appears very sound, as does the chassis. An old MOT which expired in May 2018 (with no advisories recorded) suggests that it was last in use fairly recently.

An ideal basis for further development as a competition car, it comes with a tonneau cover and some useful spares including a set of twin carbs and a RHD dash and steering rack which should make converting it for UK use fairly straightforward.

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