1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII

The 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite was powered by an overhead-valve four-cylinder engine that displaced 948cc and offered nearly 50 horsepower. Around 8,935 Austin-Healeys (all models) were sold in the United States for 1961.

The Mark II featured a restyled body that had a rectangular grille and a squared-off front end. Gone were the distinctive 'bugeye' headlamps. The fenders were now bolted in position and the rear-hinged hood could now be raised by itself, without the need of lifting up the fenders as well. The back now had a lockable trunk lid (prior versions had no exterior access - they only way to access the cargo area was by tilting the seats forward).

Disc brakes could be found in the front and there was a close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox.

Other changes to the car included a more reliable weather-proofed folding top, sliding plastic windows, and bucket seats upholstered in plastic.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015