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1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III

The Austin-Healey Sprite was produced for over a dozen years, lasting from 1958 to 1971 and built along four generations. Designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company and produced at the MG factory at Abingdon, the low-cost model was announced on May 20th of 1958 in Monte Carlo. The prominent headlights of the Mark I Sprite soon earned the nickname 'frogeye' in the United Kingdom and 'bugeye' in the United States. The engine was intially a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and many other components from existing cars were utilized to minimize costs. The body was styled by Gerry Coker with subsequent alterantions by Les Ireland following Coker's emigation to the U.S. in 1957.

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III photo
Convertible
The chassis, designed by Barry Bilbie, used unitary construction with many of the sheet metal body panels, sans bonnet, absorbed many of the structural stresses. Bilbie's original metal gauge thickness of the rear structure was reduced by the Austin Design Office during the prototype build. Testing at MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) revealed the thickness to be inadequate, resulting in a return to the original specification. The structure was not a full monocoque due to two front chassis legs projecting forward from the passenger compartment. The entire front sheet metal assembly was a one-piece unit, including the wings and bonnet, which was hinged at the back.

There was very little brightwork, ornamentation, and trim pieces. It was devoid of a boot lid and door handles. To enter the vehicle required reaching inside, and access to the luggage compartment and spare wheels was via tilting the seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck.

The engine was derived from the Morris Minor 1000 and Austin A35 models. It was a 948cc overhead valve unit with twin 1 1/8-inch SU carburetors and delivering 48 horsepower. The rack-and-pinion steering was courtesy of the Morris Minor 1000 and the front suspension from the Austin A35. Armstrong level-arm shock absorbers and top links were at all four corners, with the front sprung by coil springs and wishbones with the rear used quarter-elliptic leaf springs. The thirteen-inch tires were wrapped with 520x13 cross-ply tires or optional 145HR13 Pirelli Cinturato radial tires.

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III photo
Convertible
The relatively spartan vehicle was rather feisty, with a top speed in excess of eighty mph.

Production of the Mark I Sprites lasted from 1958 through 1961 with 48,987 examples built.

The Mark II Square-Bodied Sprites
The MKII followed in mid-1961, powered by the 948cc engine but with larger twin 1 1/4-inch SU carburetors, delivering 46.5 horsepower, and backed by a close-ratio gearbox. Although mechanical changes were minimal, the bodywork changed dramatically, with the headlights relocated to a more conventional and modern position in the wings, a conventional bonnet, and a full-width grille. The back gained a boot lid, a conventional rear bumper bar, squared-off rear wheel arches, and styling that foreshadowed the forthcoming MGB.

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III photo
Convertible
Also in 1961, an MG version was introduced at 'the new Midget' which quickly proved more popular than the Sprite.

In October of 1962, both the Austin-Healey Sprite and the MG Midget received a long-stroke 1098cc engine with 56 horsepower, also used in the Austin A40 and Morris Minor 1000. To cope with the additional horsepower, the engine was backed by a strengthened gearbox with Porsche synchromesh. Disc brakes were placed at the front and wire wheels became optional.

The total production of the Mark II Sprites, produced from 1961 through 1964, reached 31,665 units.

The Mark III
The Mark III Sprite was produced from 1964 through 1966 with 25,905 examples built. The Mark III was joined by the Mark II MG Midget and differences once again were with minor trim detailing. The 1098cc engine received a strong block casting, and the crankshaft main bearings increased to two inches. Exterior door handles with separate door locks appeared for the first time, along with wind-up side windows and a curved-glass windscreen. The previous quarter-elliptic springs were replaced by semi-elliptic leaf springs, and the upper links were removed.

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III photo
Convertible
Although the doors were lockable, the soft-top roof meant the production was limited.

The Mark IV
The Austin-Healey Mark IV Sprite was introduced in October of 1966 at the London Motor Show. Production continued through 1971 with 22,790 examples built; 1969 was the final year the Sprite was exported to the United States. Along with the Mark III MG Midget, the MK IV was powered by a larger 1,275cc engine, had a removable convertible top, and used separate brake and clutch master cylinders. MK IV models destined for the U.S. market, from 1968 forward, received additional modifications to comply with federal emission control requirements, resulting in lower horsepower ratings.

The Mark IV gained reversing lamps in 1969, reclining seats, and the electrical system was switched to negative earth and powered by an alternator rather than a dynamo. Beginning in September of 1969, styling modifications were applied following Austin-Healey and MG becoming part of British Leyland. Both the MG and the Austin-Healey now had similar cosmetic features in efforts to reduce production costs. The only differences were now in the badging. Both cars now wore the same grille with a square-mesh design and finished in satin black with a chrome embellisher. The name 'SPRITE' in chrome capital letters was located on the sill just behind the front wheel arch. The body sills were painted satin black divided by the upper bodywork by a chrome stripe.

1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III photo
Convertible
Both the front and rear bumpers were slimmer with rubber-capped overriders, with the rear changing to two quarter-bumpers with the gap in the middle occupied by a square number plate. New cast-alloy-looking ventilated wheels, made from steel, were placed at all four corners with wire-spoke wheels being optional. The interior had a more modern upholstery pattern and the seats were now slimmer.

1972 brought circular-shaped rear wheel arches and the fake 'Alloy' wheels were replaced by 'Rostyle' wheels painted silver and black.

During the rather length production lifespan of the Sprite, lasting from 1958 through 1971, 129,347 examples were built. The final 1,022 Sprites were known as Austin Sprites as the Healey connection ended in 1971.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020

Related Reading : Austin-Healey Sprite History

The Austin-Healey Sprite was produced from 1958 through 1971 with 129,347 examples of the two-door, low-cost, open roadster 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 approximately 49,000....
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1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III Vehicle Profiles

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1966 Sprite MK III
$1,890-$31,400
1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III Base Price : $1,890

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Sprite Mark III

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
8,882
80.00 in.
4 cyl., 67.00 CID., 59.00hp
$1,890 - $1,890
7,024
80.00 in.
4 cyl., 67.00 CID., 59.00hp
$1,890 - $1,890
6,895
80.00 in.
4 cyl., 67.00 CID., 59.00hp
$1,900 - $1,900

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