Austin-Healey
Frogeye Sprite Mk1

ABOUT THIS CAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.