Description
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1958 Austin Healey Sprite Mk 1
£22, 500
The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car produced in the United Kingdom from 1958 until 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, two days after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed2 yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven.
This 1958 Sprite is a very early example and was actually on show in the Longbridge Exhibition Hall when new. The car really is something special. It has had a no expense spared restoration, is in exceptional condition and is as good as it looks in the pictures.
The engine is the original 948cc, which has been rebored and had new pistons fitted. It has new crank bearing shells and new core plugs. The cylinder head has been overhauled and converted to run on unleaded fuel. A brand new stainless steel exhaust system has been fitted and the engine retains its original inch 1/ 8 carbs & filters as well as having a new fuel pump & petrol tank fitted. The gearbox has also been rebuilt and is the original smooth case with new bearings & seals etc which has been painted in the correct green. The flywheel has been skimmed and a new clutch assembly fitted. The brakes have been totally overhauled with new drums, shoes, cylinders, pipes, hoses and a new master cylinder. The suspension and steering have been completely stripped and repainted and fitted with new poly bushes.
The bodywork is all steel and the bulkhead & inner wings are all original. The Thomson body number is even still visible on bulkhead. The original body number plates are in the front door jambs and factory paint can still be seen inside the doors. It still retains its original floors with half round ribs to sills. It has received new inner & outer sills which were professionally spot welded in place, as are rear spring mounts, lower rear panel & rear wing repair sections & new boot floor, correct body seam fillets to front & rear wings. The original 9 stud windscreen frame has been re-chromed & new laminated glass fitted.
The paint work is stunning and finished in the correct shade of RDO4 cherry red with the underside light anti chip primed & painted body colour. The interior is no exception and is fitted with new seat foams & covers as well as a new carpet set.
The car comes complete with a new hood and the hood frame has been grit blasted & re-painted correct dove grey. Finally, the wheels have been refurbished and new Firestone tyres have been fitted.
Car has history and paper work, including the heritage certificate and current V5.
Please feel free to contact us for further information or to arrange a viewing - there are additional pictures that can be shared.
Please note, this is a commission sale and therefore part exchanges won't be considered.
Nationwide delivery available.
