1959 Austin Healey Sprite Mk1

The Sprite first went on sale at a price of £669, using a mildly tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and many other components from existing cars to keep costs down. The little Sprite quickly became affectionately known as the 'Frogeye' in the UK and the 'Bugeye' in the US, because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet, inboard of the front wings. Originally, the designers had intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use; but cost-cutting by BMC led to the flip-up mechanism being deleted. The front sheet-metal assembly, including the bonnet and wings, was a one-piece unit, hinged from the back that swung up to allow access to the engine compartment. The 43bhp 948cc engine was upgraded with twin 1⅛" SU carburettors. The rack and pinion steering and suspension were derived from the Morris Minor, with the front suspension made up of a coil spring and wishbone arrangement with the arm of the Armstrong lever shock absorber serving as the top suspension link. The rear axle was both located and sprung by quarter-elliptic leaf springs, again with lever-arm shock absorbers. There were no exterior door handles; the driver and passenger were required to reach inside to open the door, and there was no boot lid so access to the spare wheel and luggage compartment was achieved by tilting the seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck.

This freshly restored Sprite Mk1  was originally despatched to W Varneys Garage, St Helier, Jersey on 1st June 1959 before returning to the UK in October of the same year, being registered to WJ Adington & Co of Hove, East Sussex with the registration number RAP 466 which it proudly retains to this very day. With a total rebuild just completed, the standard is outstanding, finished in its original shade of Iris Blue with a dark blue interior highlighted by a new set of chrome wire wheels. Interestingly, when the Sprite rolled off the production line it was ordered minus front bumper, heater, rev counter and screen washers (all options), however, with more modern motoring in mind, these are now back where they belong.

Accompanied by a file of invoices and related paperwork, its Heritage Certificate and an older green log book, this little 'Frogeye' is ready to be enjoyed once again, be that out on the open road or very happily presenting itself on the show field.