Lot 38: Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite

Intended as a spiritual successor to inexpensive pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type or Austin 7 Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May 1958. Fruit of the growing partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to minimum through some inspired BMC parts-bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it combined the Austin A35's independent front suspension, four-speed gearbox and quarter-elliptic leaf-sprung back axle with the Morris Minor's rack-and-pinion steering. Powered by a twin-carburettor fed 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing 43bhp and 52lb ft, it was capable of over 80mph. Credit for the Frogeye's wonderful styling lies with both Gerry Coker and Les Ireland: while the former was responsible for the initial sketches before he left the Donald Healey Motor Company in 1957, it was the latter who so characterfully integrated the fixed headlights that provided the car's friendly `face' and inspired its nickname. On sale for just �669 including purchase tax, the Sprite even managed to undercut its Morris Minor De Luxe sibling. Rarely before or since has a sports car enjoyed such a large fun-to-price ratio, and the `Frogeye' has been putting smiles on faces for more than 50 years. First registered on June 13th 1960, this Sprite underwent an extensive restoration in 2006 by marque specialist Classic Revival of Nottinghamshire, resulting in a car in super order, now fitted with a 1275cc engine, as per later Sprites and Midgets which makes the driving experience much more relaxing - 948cc cars need to be kept `on the boil'. It also has a new hood and sidescreens, and the vendor describes the Sprite as being in "excellent overall" condition, adding: "A very low mileage car, wife's summer use only". This gorgeous `Frogeye' is offered for sale with a file of bills, Heritage Certificate and current MOT certificate. PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until April 2010.