Description
THE AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE IS A SMALL OPEN SPORTS ROADSTER CAR PRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINDGOM FROM 1958 UNTIL 1971. THE SPRITE WAS ANNOUNCED TO THE PRESS IN MONTE CARLO BY THE BRITISH MOTOR CO - OPERATION ON 20 MAY 1958, 2 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 SHED', YET BE THE SUCCESSOR TO THE SPORTING VERSIONS OF THE PRE-WAR AUSTIN SEVEN. THE SPRITE WAS DESIGNED BY THE DONALD HEALEY MOTOR COMPANY WITH PRODUCTION BEING UNDER TAKEN AT ABINGDON. WHEN THE MARK II SPRITE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1961, IT WAS JOINED BY A BADGE-ENGINEERED MG VERSION, THE MIDGET, REVIVING A MODEL NAME USED BY MG FROM THE LATE 1920'S THROUGH TO THE MID 1950'S. ENTHUSIASTS OFTEN REFERRED TO THE LATTER SPRITES AND MIDGETS COLLECTIVELY AS 'SPRIDGETS'. THE SPRITE QUICKLY BECAME AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE 'FROGEYE' IN THE UK AND AS THE 'BUGEYE' IN THE US.
IN 1959, THE SPRITE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE US MARKET BY WINNING ITS CLASS IN THE 12 HOUR RACE AT SEBRING, FLORIDA. PRIVATE COMPETITORS ALSO COMPETED WITH MUCH SUCCESS IN THEIR SPRITES. THE AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE WAS DEVELOPED INTO A FORMIDABLE COMPETITION CAR, ASSUMING MANY VARIANTS BY JOHN SPRINZEL, SPEEDWELL AND W. S. M. MANY OWNERS CONTINUE TO USE THEIR AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITES IN COMPETITION TODAY, MORE THAN 60 YEARS AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION.
THIS CHROME BUMPERED AUSTIN HEALEY SPORTS CONVERTIBLE ROADSTER IS IN FINE ALL ROUND CONDITION. THE LITTLE ROADSTER DRIVES AND STOPS GREAT, AND SO MUCH FUN, TURNING HEADS WHEREVER IT TRAVELS.
THE SPRITE UNDERWENT A FULL NUT AND BOLT RESTORATION AND BARE METAL RESPRAY OVER 2008 AT CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL COST AND MAN HOURS. NEW DOORS, CHROME BUMPERS AND OVERRIDERS ETC ETC, WERE FITTED. ALL OF THE FOREGOING IS EVIDENCED BY THE SPRITE'S REMAINING BEAUTIFUL CONDITION TODAY.
ALL BODY PANELS ARE STRAIGHT AND TRUE. THERE ARE NO DENTS ETC. THE GLEAMING TARTAN RED PAINTWORK IS IN EXCELLENT ORDER PROVIDING A DEEP SHINE. THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES, SCUFFS OR MARKS. THE HOOD IS PERFECT (PURCHASED NEW 2008). IT IS WATER AND WIND TIGHT. THERE IS ALSO A HOOD TIDY COVER. THE WIRE SPOKE WHEELS WITH MATCHING YOKOHOMA TYRES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AS IS THE CHROMEWORK. IN ESSENCE, THIS IS A TRULY STUNNING RENOWNED CLASSIC BRITISH 2 SEATER CONVERTIBLE SPORTS ROADSTER.
THE INTERIOR IS OF EXCELLENT ORDER, ORIGINAL, CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED. THERE ARE NO TEARS, UNSIGHTLY SCUFFS OR MARKS, SIGNS OF WEAR OR DISCOLOURATION. ALL IS IN TACT, FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED, COMFORTABLE AND PLEASANT TO THE EYE.
THE CHASSIS AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS CLEAN AND SOLID IN ALL AREAS, AS ARE THE FLOOR PANS ETC. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ROT/ RUST ANYWHERE.
THE BOOT - AGAIN VERY CLEAN, SOLID AND UN-CLUTTERED.
ENGINE BAY - AS PER THE BOOT.
ENGINE - THE ENGINE IS RELIABLE, AGILE AND RESPONSIVE, STARTS FIRST TIME OF ASKING EVERY TIME. IT SOUNDS GREAT THROUGH THE GEARBOX AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.
TRANSMISSION - THE SHORT SHIFT 4 SPEED ALL SYNCHROMESH MANUAL GEAR BOX IS LIKE THE ENGINE, AGILE, RESPONSIVE AND SMOOTH TO THE CHANGE.
BRAKES - SPOT ON !
THE SPRITE HAS HAD A RECENT FULL SERVICE OF THE ENGINE, GEAR BOX, REAR AXLE AND THE SU CARBS SET AND BALANCED. ERGO WORRY FREE CLASSIC MOTORING.
THE ROADSTER COMES WITH 2 SETS OF KEYS.
ALL IN ALL, THIS IS A FANTASTIC AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITE SPORTS CONVERTIBLE ROADSTER WHICH IS MUCH ADMIRED AND SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE. ALWAYS BRINGS AN INSTANT AND ENDURING SMILE OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION.
THE SPRITE WHILE A 60 YEAR OLD HISTORIC CLASSIC VEHICLE AND THEREFORE MOT, ULEZ, CONGESTION AND TAX EXEMPT, NONETHELESS, WILL COME TO IT'S NEW OWNER WITH A FULL MOT.
THE LITTLE GEM WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1965 AND HAS HAD MERELY 7 PRIOR KEEPERS IN ITS 60 YEAR HISTORY. THE MOST RECENT SINCE NOVEMBER 2014. THE CAR IS PART OF A PRIVATE COLLECTION. THE AUSTIN HEALEY AS IT PRESENTS TODAY, IS A CREDIT TO IT'S KEEPERS AND THE AUSTIN- HEALEY SPRITE MARQUE. IT IS ALSO A CLEAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY ALIGNED TO IN-EXPENSIVE CLASSIC CAR OWNERSHIP AND ENJOYMENT WITH NATURAL PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP.
PX POSSIBILITY
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SIMPLY CALL ME ON - the details below. TELEPHONY IS MY PREFERRED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. IT'S NICE TO TALK ! I AM A WELCOMING, COURTEOUS AND POLITE INDIVIDUAL. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO SEND EMAILS AND TEXTS ARE MERELY FILLING THEIR TIME AT THE COST OF MINE.
I HAVE VIDEOS WHICH I AM HAPPY TO SEND UPON REQUEST FROM GENUINELY INTERESTED PARTIES.
DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND AREAS CAN BE ARRANGED SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON COST AND FULL ADVANCE PAYMENT.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK ON THE OTHER LOVELY CARS FROM MY COLLECTION.
THANK YOU.
