1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I

The Sprite was designed to be a low-cost sports car and was devoid of an exterior trunk lid, door handles and was based on an Austin sedan. The raised headlights were responsible for the 'Bugeye' name ('frogeye in the U.K.). The designers initially intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use. The flip-up mechanism did not, however, make it into production as BMC searched for ways to cut costs. Instead, they were fixed in a permanently upright and charming position.

The original selling price was approximately $1,820. Austin-Healey produced 21,566 Sprites in 1959, followed by 18,665 the following year.

Production of the Austin-Healey Sprite began in 1958 and continued through 1971 through four distinct series. The Mark I was built from 1958 through 1961 and came equipped with a 948cc A-Series inline-four-cylinder engine and installed in a chassis with an 80-inch wheelbase, a length of 137-inches, and a height of 47.2-inches (with the bonnet up). The overhead-valve 948cc (coded 9CC) engine was derived from the Morris Minor 1000 and Austin A35 models but used twin 1 1/8-inch SU carburetors helping to deliver 43 horsepower. The suspension was sourced from the Austin A35 and the rack-and-pinion steering was courtesy of the Morris Minor. The chassis was suspended via coil springs and wishbones in the front while the rear used quarter-elliptic leaf springs. Armstrong lever-arm shock absorbers were used in the front and rear. The 13-inch wheels were wrapped with 520X13 cross-ply tires as standard, or 145HR13 Pirelli Cinturato radial as options.

The Sprite holds the distinction of being the world's first volume-production sports car to use unitary construction, where much of the structural stress is offset by the sheet metal body panels, except for the bonnet. Its chassis was designed by Healey's chassis designer, Barry Bilbie, who used the Jaguar D-Type for inspiration, including the use of the rear suspension forces being routed through the bodyshell's floor pan. The bonnet (hood) and wings were built as a one-piece unit and used a non-conventional hinging from the back, allowing the bonnet to swing up, allowing access to the engine compartment.

Austin-Healey produced a total of 48,987 examples of the Mark I Sprite between 1958 and 1961.

The Mark I was replaced by the Mark II in May of 1961 wearing completely revamped bodywork that lost the 'bugeye' headlights and replaced them with traditional round lights seated in the wings, either side of a full-width grille and a conventional bonnet. It continued to use the 948cc engine (engine code 9CG) but with larger twin 1 1/4-inch SU carburetors, boosting power slightly to 46.5 horsepower. The engine was backed by a close-ratio gearbox. The wheelbase measured 80-inches and length of 130.1-inches.

Styling updates were applied throughout the vehicle, including the back which became more modern, with a trunk (boot lid) that could open and a conventional rear bumper bar. There were squared-off rear wheel arches which provided rear structural rigidity that had been lost with the addition of the opening trunk. This version of the Sprite is commonly referred to as the 'square-bodied' Sprites by enthusiasts.

The Mark III arrived in March of 1964 and was produced through 1966. Power was from a 1,098cc (A-Series) inline-four-cylinder engine which had been given to Sprites and Midgets in October of 1962. This engine was from the Austin A40 and the Morris Minor 1000 and used a single carburetor to produce 56 horsepower. Around this time, front disc brakes were introduced and wire wheels became an option. The engine was backed by a strengthened gearbox with Porsche (baulk-ring) synchromesh. The engine in the Mark III was similar to the Mark II, but with a stronger block casting, and larger (by two inches) crankshaft main bearings.

Among the mechanical modifications were to the rear suspension which changed from quarter-elliptic to semi-elliptic leaf spring, accumulating a more comfortable ride and additional axle location.

The styling was modernized, gaining a curved-glass windscreen, hinged quarterlights, and wind-up side windows. For the first time, the Sprite now had exterior door handles, with separate door locks.

Austin-Healey produced 31,665 examples of the Mark II Sprite and 25,905 of the Mark III.

The Mark IV was introduced in October of 1966 at the London Motor Show. The biggest change could be found lurking beneath the bonnet - a new 1,275cc A-Series inline-4 engine sourced from the Mini-Cooper, albeit in a lower state of tune. Another mechanical change was the separate brake and clutch master cylinders to aid in safety.

The previous versions of the Sprite had a removable convertible top that could be stowed in the boot when not in use. The Mark IV convertible top was now permanently affixed with a greatly improved design which made operation much simpler and easier to use.

1969 was the final year that the Sprite was exported to the United States. The previous year, cars destined for the U.S. received smog pumps and other modifications to comply with federal emission control requirements. Although this allowed them to pass emission tests, it did rob them of some of their horsepower.

By the time production of the Mark IV ended in 1971, a total of 22,790 examples had been produced.