Lot 117: Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite

The peoples sports car, a genuine Austin-Healey with no "badge engineered" MG equivalent, the "Frog Eye" Sprite (Bug Eye in the USA) brought sports car ownership to the masses. With its cheeky looks, diminutive dimensions and 948cc, Austin power plant, the Frog Eye was the sports car that anyone could own. Between 1958 and 1961 nearly 40,000 were built but then corporate thinking prevailed and the Frog Eyed, one piece bonnet/wing assembly was lost.The Frog Eye has retained this magical attraction, which has helped to keep prices buoyant. Modern versions of the Frog Eye have been built to capture the enthusiastic following but an original car will always be worth more money. Especially examples like the one offered hereHaving been stripped to a bare shell , the car is said to have been repainted in the original ICI Maroon. The brakes were overhauled with new drums, shoes, cylinders and brakes pipes. The engine was stripped and rebuilt, equipped with a four branch manifold, new exhaust and tuned on a rolling-road. A new wiring loom was installed, together with a new dynamo and tachometer drive. The interior has been fully retrimmed, new beading and rubbers fitted, new front bumper, new wheels, tyres and wheel AH embellishers, new front and rear lights, new hood, side screens and tonneau cover.The above covers the major items of the restoration, there are many other jobs, bits and pieces and tasks that are forgotten. The vendor states that he has spent over £8,000 + on the restoration alone, plus the original cost of the car.Described as being in outstanding condition, the car is taxed (free historic tax), MoT tested and ready to enjoy