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1962 Austin-Healey Sprite

Austin-Healey of the United Kingdom built the Sprite from 1958 through 1971. The Mark I version was built from 1958 through 1961 and was commonly known as the 'frogeye' in the U.K. and the 'bugeye' in the United States.

The Mark II was announced at the end of May 1961 and came with the same 948cc engine (engine code 9CG) as the Mark I, but with larger twin 1.25-inch SU carburetors, increasing power to 46.5 horsepower. The engine was backed by a close-ratio gearbox and rested on the same 80-inch wheelbase as its predecessor. The big news was the completely revamped bodywork with a more conventional layout for the headlights and a full-width grille and bonnet. The styling of the back end was similar to the soon-to-be-announced MGB, with an opening boot lid and conventional rear bumper bar.

The Austin-Healey Sprite MK II was introduced around the same time as the MG version, the new Midget. The 'Midget' name had previously been used by MG during the 1930s and again on the T-Type Midget of 1945 to 1955. The MG Midget would ultimately become more popular than the Austin-Healey and by the early 1970s, only the Midget remained in production.

The 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite was powered by an overhead-valve four-cylinder engine that displaced 948cc and produced 46 horsepower. This engine was replaced later in the year with a 1098cc unit that raised the horsepower to 56. The Sprite had a top speed of nearly 90 mph and could race from zero-to-sixty in just under 17 seconds. They had a four-speed manual transmission with a 4.22:1 final drive ratio. Hydraulic disc brakes were in the front with drums in the rear.

There were approximately 10,019 Austin-Healeys sold in the United States during 1962. The total production of Mark II Sprites reached 31,665 units.

Innocenti also produced their own version of the Sprite with styling by American Tom Tjaarda, then working at Carrozzeria. The Innocenti 950 spider (later the 1100 Spider) was produced from 1961 through 1968.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: HAN6L/5479

Austin-Healey introduced the Sprite at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix weekend in 1958. This sports car utilized parts from BMC econoboxes and did not even had a trunk lid. The luggage had to be loaded through the cockpit. Even with these inconveniences, they soon became an object of affection and brought a new level of motoring at a very affordable price. The first editions were called the Frogeye, because of the unfortunate location of the headlights. The headlights were supposed to be retractable, but remained fixed as a cost saving measure. Austin-Healey introduced an updated version in 1961, with headlights in a more traditional position. This Mark II version also added an exterior trunk lid at the rear, and front disc brakes. A badge-engineered MG Midget was introduced the same year and was nearly identical to the Healey.

This 1962 Mark II has been given a restoration that was completed in 2009. It is powered by a 998cc engine and has a red exterior finish with a black interior and narrow white walls.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, presented by Bonhams auction. It was offered without reserve and sold for the sum of $18,720 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

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 examples produced. In the United States, these were given the nickname Bugeye while in the UK they were called Frogeye. The name evolved from the headlights mounted on the top of the hood resembling a frog and/or bug. Concealed flip-up headlamps were in the original drawings but high production costs canceled those plans. The body was very smooth and flowing. There were no door handles; to open the door, the inside handle would need to be operated. This meant that the doors could not be locked. The trunk did not open - to gain access to the trunk the back seats would need to be folded down. Housed inside the trunk was the spare tire. The entire front hood hinged upwards, allowing easy and convenient access to the engine.

The mechanical components were borrowed, in an effort to save production costs, from a number of vehicles already in production. The suspension was from the Austin A-35 while the engine was courtesy of the Morris Minor. The 948 cc engine was based on the Morris Motor Company A-series but fitted with dual SU carburetors increasing the horsepower from 37 to 43. Coil springs and wishbones were in the front while the rear was a semi-elliptical leaf spring configuration. A rack-and-pinion steering unit controlled the car, drum brakes provided the stopping power, and a four-speed manual gearbox sent power to the rear wheels.

The second series, the Mark II, was produced from 1961 through 1965. The 948 cc engine continued to power the car until 1964, with an optional 1098 cc A-series engine coming available in 1962 and lasting until 1964. The 1098 cc engine produced nearly 60 horsepower and had the same bore and stroke as the Morris Minor 1000. Front disc brakes were fitted on vehicles with the larger engine. Wire wheels were optional equipment.

The lights were the largest change with the rear headlights sharing the same design as the soon-to-be-produced MGB. The front headlights were repositioned causing controversy with their faithful supporters. Also controversial was the newly introduced rear bumper bar.

The Sprite Mark III was produced from 1964 through 1966 with nearly 26,000 units produced. The Mark III is also known as the Mark II MG Midget. There were few changes to this version in comparison to the prior versions. Wind-up windows and exterior door handles were much-welcomed luxury items. The rear suspension was changed to a fully elliptical leaf-spring configuration. A new grille adorned the front while the body detailing changed slightly.

The tried-and-true 1098cc engine remained, though it now had a stronger block casting and the size of the crankshaft main bearings was increased. The 1098 cc engine continued to be produced until 1966. It was replaced by a 1275 cc four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower. This version was dubbed the Mark IV which remained in production from 1966 through 1971.

There were a total of 22,790 examples of the Mark IV produced. The MKIV's cousin was the Mark III MG Midget; both saw cosmetic changes over the versions they replaced. Some were minor aesthetic updates and others were more substantial. Probably the most significant was the change to a permanently-affixed roof, in place of the removable convertible top.

The Sprite was a popular vehicle because it was small, sporty, and very economical, with the original versions costing about $2000. They were easy to maintain and had superb handling. Though zero-to-sixty took about 21 seconds and top speed was just under 80 mph, this was respectable for a 1960's vehicle.

Most of the Sprites were exported to the United States. They often differed from their European counterparts as the US versions were forced to comply with safety restrictions and federal emission control requirements.

by Dan Vaughan