Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite Mk1

feeling spritely

THE MODEL

• The Austin Healey Sprite was originally announced 2 days after the Monaco Grand Prix in 1958. The Idea behind this car was to create a small open top sports car, that was offered at an attractive and affordable price.
• More commonly referred to as the “frogeye” or the “bugeye” depending on which side of the pond you reside, the Sprite gained is affectionate nickname from the bonnet mounted proud lights.
• Austin’s landmark of creating the worlds first volume sports car to feature unitary construction, meaning that many of the body panels go towards the structural stiffness of the car.
• Powered by 948 cc A-Series engine which produced 43 HP at 5200 rpm, and returning 43 MPG, the Sprite was deemed very economical sports car from both purchase perspective, but also to run.

THIS CAR

• Our Austin Healey Sprite has had a life full of historic rallying, accompanied by an incredible amount of mechanical care where no expense has been spared.
• The previous owner has built a incredibly capable and reliable Sprite indeed. To explain this in writing there isn’t a better way but for us to list the build specification, accompanied by a HUGE amount of spares bellow:

Engine Specification

• • Standard 1275cc (fully rebuilt 2020 – less than 500 miles since)
  • New pistons
  • New bearings
  • Camshaft from Minispares – Evolution 001
  • 1 1/4 SU Carbs
  • Ethanol proof floats and needles fitted
  • Facet solid state silver fuel pump
  • Fuel filter – Filter King
  • Hi torque starter motor
  • Maniflow exhaust system
  • Lucas 25 D distributor with points
  • Ignitor coil
  • Screw on oil filter
  • Alternator
  • Kenlowe cooling fan

Gearbox & Running Gear

• • 1275 later unit – Reconditioned by Hardy Engineering
  • 3.77 Differential
  • Peter May competition half shafts
  • 6.5 inch uprated clutch
  • Clutch hydraulic bleed in engine compartment

Brakes

• • Sebring pedal box
  • Later Midget front disks and callipers
  • 1500 Midget larger rear drums fitted

Suspension

• • Frontline system including telescopic shock absorbers (1 degree negative camber for stability)
  • New uprated front lever arm shock absorbers and 1 degree negative trunnion tops in spares
  • Front anti-roll bar 5/8 fast road
  • Adjustable rear telescopic shock absorbers
  • Rose jointed rear control arms
  • Softened rear springs
  • Poly bushes all round

Body

• • Originally a body restoration in 1994, with a further partial restoration in 2007
  • In 2015 the shell was strengthened, seem welded sills, front legs and a safety devices roll cage fitted
  • Original steel bonnet
  • Twin spot lights as per works style
  • Front towing eyes
  • Laminated front screen
  • Alloy sump guard

Interior

• • Motolita steering wheel
  • All lines inside; electric, fuel, brakes
  • Additional map pocket on navigator side A panel
  • Brantz Retro Classic trip meter
  • Twin electric operated washer jets
  • Navigators map reading light
  • Intermittent wipers
  • Full harnesses onto roll cage
  • Seats retrimmed in 2015
  • 12V single battery
  • Storage bin where second battery was fitted
  • Alloy battery compartment cover
  • Drivers door mirror
  • Master isolator switch in dash
  • Adjustable interior drivers rear view mirror
  • Cigarette light socket for potti etc
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Navigators alloy foot rest
  • Trafficator warning light in front driver
  • Auxiliary fuse box on dash
  • Reversing light with switch on the dash

Spares

• • Original 948 cc engine
  • 1/14 SU carbs HS2
  • Original smooth case gearbox
  • Front lever arm shock absorbers x 4
  • Front springs (original)
  • Rear lever arm shock absorbers
  • Rear radius arms (standard/original)
  • 11/16 race/fast road anti roll bar
  • Rear spring lowering blocks
  • Gearbox mount x 2
  • Front cage for FIA cage (to go onto roll cage on car)
  • Seat back
  • Steering rack (used)
  • Engine mounts
  • Alternator
  • Oil cooler and pipes
  • Brake hoses (aeroquip)
  • Facet silver solid state Petrol pump
  • Leaf Green touch up paint (and empty can of original colour)
  • 5 x original Frogeye steel wheels
  • 4 hub caps
  • Original Soft top and Tonneau cover
  • 4 x standard half shaft
• If you would like to arrange for a viewing of the car, then please do get in touch and we would be delighted to help. You really to need to see this car to appreciate the massive amount of work that has gone in.