Lot 208: 1959 Austin Healey Sprite Mk.1 Competition

Here is a competitive 'Frogeye' that is well known to the historic racing family. '281 WNT' has been extensively campaigned in a variety of historic events over the past 20 years. A veteran of many Sprints, Hillclimbs, Road events and lately, a successful circuit racer, here is a road-registered competition car that can turn its wheels to most events. A former class winner with the Austin Healey Club (Sebring Class), '281 WMT' has also been a successful Hillclimb car in the hands of John Passmore. It is also a veteran of the much-missed Manx Classic, happily revived for 2006, and will surely get an invitation back to this most popular of events. A regular competitor with the Top Hat Racing Series, this plucky little Healey has acquitted itself well in both the Cloth Cap and Sebring Salute events - taking class wins and lap records in the process against potentially much faster cars. Currently fitted with a 998cc to take advantage of running in the up to 1 litre classes, this car is fitted with Dunlop CR C5 Dunlop history race tyres and a factory-style hardtop. An aero-screen set-up accompanies the car along with a spare set of wire wheels (currently fitted with 'Falken' low profile hill climb tyres), 2 spare engines and an impressive history file documenting this car's long association with historic motorsport. It has a current V5 registration document and should possess a new MoT certificate by the time of the sale. Full competition safety equipment is fitted to this car, as supported by the 2005 scrutineering passes that are affixed to the car's cockpit. Without doubt, this historic Healey must represent the most accessible route into Historic motorsport.