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1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I Roadster

  • Chassis Number: AN5L10426
This 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite Mark I was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $25,000 - $35,000. It is powered by a four-cylinder engine that displaces 948 cubic centimeters and capable of producing around 43 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and a suspension comprised of coil springs and wishbones.

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 that 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.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007

2007 The Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $25,000-USD $35,000 
Sale Price :
USD $25,300

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I

(Data based on Model Year 1959 sales)
1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE BUGEYE ROADSTER
Chassis#: AN5L20465
Sold for USD$44,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1959 Austin-Healey 'Bugeye' Sprite MK I
Chassis#: AN5L/16797
Sold for USD$21,280
  2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
 
1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY 'BUGEYE' SPRITE MARK I RACE CAR
Chassis#: 0R38449
Sold for USD$17,920
  2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye Roadster
Chassis#: AN5L11567
Sold for USD$18,700
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
 
1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE BUGEYE ROADSTER
Chassis#: AN5L11567
Sold for USD$20,900
  2021 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
 
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite
Chassis#: AN5 10219
Sold for USD$26,087
  2020 Silverstone Auctions : The NEC Classic Live Online Auction
 
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1
Chassis#: AN5L/16797
Sold for USD$33,600
  2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection
 
1959 AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE CONVERTIBLE SHELBY SPRITE
Chassis#: AN5L16003
Sold for USD$95,700
  2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ
 
1959 Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite
Chassis#: AN513951
Sold for USD$16,875
  2019 H & H Classics - Imperial War Museum, Duxford
 
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite
Sold for USD$11,000
  2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye' Sprite
Chassis#: AN510803
Sold for USD$19,154
  2019 H & H Classics - Imperial War Museum, Buxton
 
1959 Austin-Healey 'Sebring' Sprite Evocation
Chassis#: AN524345
Sold for USD$30,819
  2019 Silverstone - Race Retro Classic Car
 
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
Sold for USD$17,000
  2019 Carlisle Auction : Lakeland Winter Auction
 
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
Chassis#: AN512816
Sold for USD$21,670
  2019 Silverstone - Autosport International
 
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY BUG EYE SPRITE CVTBLE
Sold for USD$11,025
  2018 McCormick's - # 65
 
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
Sold for USD$11,550
  2018 Mecum : Las Vegas
 
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY FROGEYE SPRITE SUPERCHARGED WXO 257
Chassis#: AN5/12435
Sold for USD$27,131
  2018 Coys - Syon Park, London
 
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I Roadster
Chassis#: AN5/23833
Sold for USD$26,275
  2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival
 
1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye' Sprite
Sold for USD$15,822
  2018 H & H Auctions - Duxford Motor Car Auction
 
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
Chassis#: AN5L13727
Sold for USD$12,100
  2018 Mecum : Los Angeles
 

Austin-Healey Sprite Mark Is That Failed To Sell At Auction

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite MkI RoadsterAN5L167972021 Mecum : Monterey$30,000  
1959 Austin Healey Bugeyed Sprite Roadster 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale   
1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye SpriteAN5220632018 H & H Auctions Pavilion Gardens $11,000$14,000
1959 Austin-Healey Sebring SpriteAN5L/91952018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale $18,000$24,000
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I106392018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale   
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Roadster 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee$15,000  
1959 Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite 2017 Anglia Auction $13,000$15,000
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite 2016 Mecum : Harrisburg$13,000  
1959 AUSTIN HEALY BUG EYE SPRITE 2016 McCormick's Palm Springs # 60$11,000  
1959 AUSTIN HEALY BUG EYE SPRITE 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60$11,000  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY BUG EYE SPRITE 2015 McCormick's Auction # 59$11,000  
1959 Austin Healey Sprite 2014 Silver Auction Coeur D'Alene$12,250  
1959 Austin Healey 2014 Silver Auction DAA Big Sky$10,000  
1959 Austin Healey Sebring Sprite MkIAN5/117302014 Silverstone : Race Retro & Classic Car Sale   
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite Convertible Canceled Lot 2013 Mecum Houston, Tx   
1959 Austin-Healey Convertible 2011 Mecum Kansas City, MO$18,000  
1959 Austin Healey Bug-Eyed Sprite Roadster 2006 The Florida Collector Car Auction$12,500  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY BUG EYE ROADSTER 2003 Kruse Auction, Oklahoma City, OK$6,700  
1959 Austin Healey Sprite Mark I Bugeye 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction$18,000  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITE ROADSTER 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN$19,100  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY BUGEYE SPRITE CONVERTIBLE 2001 Kruse Auction Santa Clara, CA$12,500  
1959 Austin Healey 2001 Mecum Auto Auction Pleasanton CA$11,500  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY UNKNOWN UNKNOWN 2001 Kruse Auction West Palm Beach, FL$17,000  
1959 AUSTIN HEALEY UNKNOWN UNKNOWN 2001 Kruse Auction West Palm Beach, FL$16,250  

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1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I

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