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Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1

Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Lot number 161
Hammer value £15,700
Description Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Registration 808 HKX
Year 1959
Colour Whitehall Nevada Beige
Engine size 948 cc
Chassis No. AN 59607
Engine No. 9CUH9H1

Designed by Donald Healey in partnership with BMC, the MkI Sprite was launched in 1958 and proved such a hit that it spawned a whole generation of copycat sportscars from the likes of Triumph and MG.

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.

The Sprite inspired huge public affection due to its lively road manners and cute 'Frogeye' styling by Gerry Coker and Les Ireland – a happy accident that only came about because the pop-up headlights that the car was designed for proved too costly to mass produce and were changed at the last minute to the fixed pods that so define the car today. Some 49,987 examples were sold before it was replaced by the somewhat less characterful MkII in 1961.

This superb matching numbers example has been in one family ownership for well over 50 years. When the car passed from father to son, he commissioned a full restoration by marque expert Peter Ellis at a cost of well over £14,000.This included a complete body restoration, stripping the original car to its component parts and replacing everything that needed attention. The list included new front and rear wings, inner and outer sills, floor pans, inner wings, outer footwell panels, boot floor and inner wheel arches. The work has been done to a very high standard with excellent panel fit throughout.

Mechanically the car was also overhauled, with an unleaded head conversion, the under bonnet area being finished to the high overall standard of the rest of the car. Finished in rare Whitehall Nevada Beige, it comes with a desirable original factory hard top also painted in body colour plus a hood and tonneau. The sidescreens are present and correct, but will require new Perspex.

The interior of the car is to original specification, including the steering wheel which has been lost on so many Sprites. Running and driving as well as it looks, this lovely looking Frogeye, in its unusual colour scheme, is on offer for significantly less than the cost of rebuilding a lesser example and is ready to be enjoyed.
 

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