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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
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite MkI Roadster | AN5L16797 | 2021 Mecum : Monterey | $30,000 | ||
1959 Austin Healey Bugeyed Sprite Roadster | 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale | ||||
1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite | AN522063 | 2018 H & H Auctions Pavilion Gardens | $11,000 | $14,000 | |
1959 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite | AN5L/9195 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | $18,000 | $24,000 | |
1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I | 10639 | 2018 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 MkI | AN5/11730 | 2014 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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