1969 Austin-Healey Sprite

For 1969 Austin-Healey sold 1,280 examples of the Sprite. Importation to the United States would cease in 1970, but an additional 1,022 Sprites were built in 1971. The engine remained the same as in prior years - an overhead-valve four-cylinder unit displacing 77.9 cubic-inches and offering 65 horsepower. They had a four-speed manual gearbox with floor-lever controls. Pricing for the convertible was set at just over $2,000. Only a few changes were made during the car's final years, including a new negative-ground electrical system, a safety-type dashboard, and an exhaust emission system.

For 1969, Austin-Healey added new side safety market lights to the cowl on imported models.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2013

Sold for $19,800 at 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction.
This Austin-Healey Sprite Mark IV has a body manufactured by Pressed Steel Company at Stratton St. Margaret near Swindon, England. It was then sent to Cowley, Oxford where it was painted and partially trimmed. From Cowley, the finished chassis was sent to MG Car Company in Abington. It began moving down the Abington upper level trim line on July 10th, 1969. A day later, it was lowered to the body line for final assembly, test driven on Marcham Road, and then parked in then factory lot.

It began its journey to the United States on July 18th of 1969 via the Port of New Orleans as an import of British Leyland Motors Inc. and Continental Cars Distributors, Inc. of St Louis, Missouri. It was delivered by truck to Economy Cars Ltd. in North Kansas City, Missouri on September 25th, 1969. The car wore British Racing Green paint with a black interior and hood/tonneau, and had a window sticker of $3,341.

The car was stored by the original BMC dealer for the next 39 years until it was purchased by its first owner in 2008 with a mere 148 registered miles on the odometer. It remained with the original owner for a short period of time, before entering the care of a few documented owners.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2017