1960 Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite
Highlights
- Voluntarily submitted for MOT testing: valid until May 2025
- Comprehensively restored in 2004 and used sparingly ever since
- Garaged and stored in a ‘Carcoon’
- Maintained regularly by a classic car specialist
- Accompanied by a large history file
The Appeal
We always consider the Austin Healey Sprite a rear-wheel-drive sibling to the Mini. Similarly diminutive and powered by the same BMC A-Series engine, the Sprite and the Mini have a great deal in common, chief among which is that they both offer as much fun as you can possibly have on four wheels.
Initially offered as a replacement for MG’s much-loved T Series sports cars, the Sprite was designed by Donald Healey and marketed as an affordable roadster "a chap could keep in his bike shed." The little car proved immensely successful, especially among amateur hill climb and sprint race competitors. To this day, the Sprite remains a fixture of autotest events.
Here, we have a beautifully restored 1960 example of the much-loved Frogeye Sprite. Since its comprehensive restoration in 2004, it has been stored carefully, used sparingly, and maintained regularly. It has even been submitted for MOT testing, which resulted in a good pass.
The vendor tells us that they had intended to use for classic car rental, but decided to close the business, rendering the Healey surplus to requirements.
If you’re looking for a well-sorted example of this iconic British sports car, you need look no further than this lovely 1960 ‘Frogeye’ Sprite.
The History and Paperwork
- UK home market RHD MkI ‘Frogeye’ model
- 32,558 miles indicated
- Subject to full restoration in 2004
- Acquired by the vendor from a classic car mechanic who was maintaining and restoring for himself but then emigrated
- Inspected by an Austin and MGB specialist prior to purchase
- Accompanied by a substantial history file including certificates, photographs, MOTs, and invoices stretching back many decades
- Currently garaged and car-cooned and taken out every few weeks for maintenance with a classic car mechanic
- MOT until 19th May 2025
- V5C in owners name
![]()
The Condition
- Finished in a high-gloss red to a very good standard, retaining an almost mirror-like appearance
- The bodywork appears in very sound order with no obvious indications of accident damage or corrosion
- All looks exceedingly clean under the wheel arches
- Folding soft top and side screens present and in good visual order
- No hard top
- OEM painted steel wheels complete with the correct ‘AH’ embossed hubcaps
- The chromework continues to gleam and does not appear pitted
- Smart badging and trim throughout
- The car retains its front bumper - often removed on this model
- Beautifully presented cabin with barely any wear apparent
- Period Motorola stereo with a single speaker
- There's a hidden bluetooth connector with two small speakers for playing music/podcasts via smart phone connection
- Period-correct tow-spoke sterling wheel in good cognition for its age
- Impeccable black vinyl upholstery with contrasting white piping
- Very smart black carpeting throughout
The Mechanics
- 948cc A-Series inline-four
- Twin SU carburettors
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Impeccable engine bay
- MOT passed with just two minor advisories
- The vendor informs us that the car is regularly serviced, runs beautifully and drives very well indeed
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
Vehicle specification
- Year 1960
- Make Austin-Healey
- Model Sprite
- Colour Red
- Odometer 32,558 Miles
- Engine size 948
Listing Details
- Seller type Private
- Town Iden Green
- Location Kent
- Country United Kingdom
The Gallery
Popular questions about make an offer
If an auction vehicle doesn't sell, it may be converted into a “Make an offer” listing. This will retain all of the details of the auction listing but replace the bidding functionality with an offering system whereby potential buyers can make an offer on the vehicle.
To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll be charged a service fee. The amount depends on the cost of the vehicle and is an additional cost on top of the offer amount. Starting from as little as £/€300, it covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services, but rest assured, we're not in the woollen eyewear business and so the exact amount is always displayed upfront before you place your bid. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
The service fee is a charge in addition to any accepted offer amount that varies depending on the cost of the vehicle. Starting from as little as £/€300, the exact fee is clearly displayed upfront before any offer is placed so you always know exactly how much you'll be charged. It covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services and allows us to continue to provide a secure and professional platform from which to transact safely.
If you've ever squeezed a lemon then this'll be a doddle. Firstly you'll need to be logged in to your Car & Classic account and have added a valid payment card to your profile. Once these steps have been completed you can then make an offer by clicking on the "Make an offer" button on the listing page and entering your offer amount before clicking on the “Submit Offer” button underneath.
Make an offer
This seller is open to offers. Enter the amount you'd like to pay and if your offer is accepted, a member of the team will be in touch.
Under offer
This seller has accepted an offer.
Click the star to watch the listing and keep an eye on it in the favourites section of your account, or search for something similar.