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The Sprite was designed to be a low cost sports car. To keep costs down the car has no exterior trunk lid, no door handles and was based on an Austin sedan. The raised headlights were responsible for the 'Bugeye' name. The original selling price was approximately 41,820.
The four-cylinder engine produced 43 HP and a downwind top speed of 70 MPH.
The four-cylinder engine produced 43 HP and a downwind top speed of 70 MPH.
| Chassis Num: AN5L10426 |
This example was imported into Canada in early 1959. Its first owner retained the car until 1974, upon which time it was sold to a second Canadian owner. This owner cared for the car until 1993. The third owner began a restoration that concluded in 1998. Since that time it has been kept in a climate controlled storage. It is finished in the original factory color of Iris Blue with matching and correct interior of black. It is equipped with a complete factory tool kit, correct factory soft top with side curtains, and the optional factory tonneau cover.
The interior is one of the only few modifications this car has been given. It is a Mark II interior which offered more comfort and support for the occupants.
The Austin-Healey Sprite was designed by Donald Healey and was produced beginning in 1958. It was an alluring car with a low cost price tag and ample performance features. Power was from a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and borrowed many of its mechanical components from existing cars which aided in keeping the costs to a minimum.
The Mark I Sprites were known as the Frogeye in the U.K. and the Bugeye in the United States due to its unique front end with headlights mounted on top of the center hood. This was not part of the original design; in-fact, they were originally to be mounted into the front of the car so they could 'flip-up' while in use. They would face skyward when not in use.
The frontal area was all one-piece and hinged from the back. It swung up allowing ample access to the engine compartment. There were no exterior door handles. To open the door, one had to reach inside and use the internal lever to operate the door. there was also no trunk lid. To gain access to the trunk and to the spare wheel, the seats backs had to be tilted forward.
At auction this vehicle found new ownership, selling for the low end of the estimated value, and fetching $25,300.
The Austin-Healey Sprite was produced from 1958 through 1971 with 129,347 examples of the two-door, low-cost, open roadster being produced. The car was designed by the Healey Motor Company, more specifically Donald Healey, and produced in partnership with the British Motor Corporation.
There were four series of the Sprite. The first series was produced from 1958 through 1961 with around 49000 examples being produced. In the United States, these were given the nickname Bugeye while in the UK they were called Frogeye. The name evolved from the headlights mounted on the top of hood resembling a frog and/or bug. Concealed flip-up headlamps were in the original drawings but high production costs canceled those plans. The body was very smooth and flowing. There were no door handles; to open the door, the inside handle would need to be operated. This meant that the doors could not be locked. The trunk did not open - to gain access to the trunk the back seats would need to be folded down. Housed inside the trunk was the spare tire. The entire front hood hinged upwards, allowing easy and convenient access to the engine.
The mechanics were borrowed, in an effort to save production costs, from a number of vehicles already in production. The suspension was from the Austin A-35 while the engine was courtesy of the Morris Minor. The 948 cc engine was based on the Morris Motor Company A-series but fitted with dual SU carburetors increasing the horsepower from 37 to 43. Coil springs and wishbones were in the front while the rear was a semi-elliptical leaf spring configuration. A rack-and-pinion steering unit controlled the car, drum brakes provided the stopping power, and a four-speed manual gearbox sent power to the rear wheels.
The second series, the Mark II, was produced from 1961 through 1965. The 948 cc engine continued to power the car until 1964, with an optional 1098 cc A-series engine coming available in 1962 and lasting until 1964. The 1098 cc engine produced nearly 60 horsepower and had the same bore and stroke as the Morris Minor 1000. Front disc brakes were fitted on vehicles with the larger engine. Wire wheels were optional equipment.
The lights were the largest change with the rear headlights sharing the same design as the soon to be produced MGB. The front headlights were repositioned causing controversy with their faithful supporters. Also controversial was the newly introduced rear bumper bar.
The Sprite Mark III was produced from 1964 through 1966 with nearly 26,000 units produced. The Mark III is also known as the Mark II MG Midget. There were little changes to this version in comparison to the prior versions. Wind-up windows and exterior door handles were much-welcomed luxury items. The rear suspension was changed to a fully elliptical leaf spring configuration. A new grille adorned the front while the body detailing changed slightly.
The tried-and-true 1098cc engine remained, though it now had a stronger block casting and the size of the crankshaft main bearings was increased. The 1098 cc engine continued to be produced until 1966. It was replaced by a 1275 cc four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower. This version was dubbed the Mark IV which remained in production from 1966 through 1971.
There were a total of 22,790 examples of the Mark IV produced. The MKIV's cousin was the Mark III MG Midget; both saw cosmetic changes over the versions they replaced. Some were minor aesthetic updates and others were more substantial. Probably the most significant was the change to a permanently-affixed roof, in place of the removable convertible top.
The Sprite was a popular vehicle because it was small, sporty, and very economical, with the original versions costing about $2000. They were easy to maintain and had superb handling. Though zero-to-sixty took about 21 seconds and top speed was just under 80 mph, this was respectable for a 1960's vehicle.
Most of the Sprites were exported to the United States. They often differed from their European counterparts as the US versions were forced to comply with safety restrictions and federal emission control requirements.
There were four series of the Sprite. The first series was produced from 1958 through 1961 with around 49000 examples being produced. In the United States, these were given the nickname Bugeye while in the UK they were called Frogeye. The name evolved from the headlights mounted on the top of hood resembling a frog and/or bug. Concealed flip-up headlamps were in the original drawings but high production costs canceled those plans. The body was very smooth and flowing. There were no door handles; to open the door, the inside handle would need to be operated. This meant that the doors could not be locked. The trunk did not open - to gain access to the trunk the back seats would need to be folded down. Housed inside the trunk was the spare tire. The entire front hood hinged upwards, allowing easy and convenient access to the engine.
The mechanics were borrowed, in an effort to save production costs, from a number of vehicles already in production. The suspension was from the Austin A-35 while the engine was courtesy of the Morris Minor. The 948 cc engine was based on the Morris Motor Company A-series but fitted with dual SU carburetors increasing the horsepower from 37 to 43. Coil springs and wishbones were in the front while the rear was a semi-elliptical leaf spring configuration. A rack-and-pinion steering unit controlled the car, drum brakes provided the stopping power, and a four-speed manual gearbox sent power to the rear wheels.
The second series, the Mark II, was produced from 1961 through 1965. The 948 cc engine continued to power the car until 1964, with an optional 1098 cc A-series engine coming available in 1962 and lasting until 1964. The 1098 cc engine produced nearly 60 horsepower and had the same bore and stroke as the Morris Minor 1000. Front disc brakes were fitted on vehicles with the larger engine. Wire wheels were optional equipment.
The lights were the largest change with the rear headlights sharing the same design as the soon to be produced MGB. The front headlights were repositioned causing controversy with their faithful supporters. Also controversial was the newly introduced rear bumper bar.
The Sprite Mark III was produced from 1964 through 1966 with nearly 26,000 units produced. The Mark III is also known as the Mark II MG Midget. There were little changes to this version in comparison to the prior versions. Wind-up windows and exterior door handles were much-welcomed luxury items. The rear suspension was changed to a fully elliptical leaf spring configuration. A new grille adorned the front while the body detailing changed slightly.
The tried-and-true 1098cc engine remained, though it now had a stronger block casting and the size of the crankshaft main bearings was increased. The 1098 cc engine continued to be produced until 1966. It was replaced by a 1275 cc four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower. This version was dubbed the Mark IV which remained in production from 1966 through 1971.
There were a total of 22,790 examples of the Mark IV produced. The MKIV's cousin was the Mark III MG Midget; both saw cosmetic changes over the versions they replaced. Some were minor aesthetic updates and others were more substantial. Probably the most significant was the change to a permanently-affixed roof, in place of the removable convertible top.
The Sprite was a popular vehicle because it was small, sporty, and very economical, with the original versions costing about $2000. They were easy to maintain and had superb handling. Though zero-to-sixty took about 21 seconds and top speed was just under 80 mph, this was respectable for a 1960's vehicle.
Most of the Sprites were exported to the United States. They often differed from their European counterparts as the US versions were forced to comply with safety restrictions and federal emission control requirements.
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I |
|
| Year | 1959 |
| Make | Austin-Healey |
| Model | Sprite Mark I |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Unibody |
| Production Years for Series | 1958 - 1961 |
| Price | $1,795.00 |
| Weight | 1460 lbs | 662.3 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | AN5L10426 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | 21 seconds. |
| Top Speed | 130 km/h | 80.8 mph Similar top speeds |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | S |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 948.00 cc | 57.9 cu in. | 0.9 L. |
| Valves | 8 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 45.00 BHP (33.1 KW) @ 5500.00 RPM |
| Torque | 50.00 Ft-Lbs (67.8 NM) @ 3000.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 32.4 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 50.0 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 8.30:1 |
| Main Bearings | 3 |
| Engine Electronics | 12-volt |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 2 SU H1 carburetors | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Cast-iron |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Transmission Information | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Final Drive | 4.22 |
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| 1959 Austin-Healey models |
| 100-6 |
| 3000 MK I |
| Speedwell GT Sprite |
| Other Model Years |
| 1967 Sprite Mark III |
| 1964 Sprite Mark II |
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com