1960 Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite

For sale by auction on Saturday 30 August 2014 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The Austin-Healey Sprite was announced to the press in Monte
Carlo on 20th May 1958. just before the Monaco Grand Prix. It
was intended to be a low-cost model that 'a chap could keep in his
bike shed' and yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the
pre-war Austin Seven. The little Sprite quickly became
affectionately known as the 'Frogeye' in the UK and the 'Bugeye' in
the US as its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the
bonnet. inboard of the front wings. There were no exterior door
handles; the driver and passenger were required to reach inside to
open the door. There was also no boot lid and access to the spare
wheel and luggage compartment was achieved by tilting the
seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck.

This 1960 Healey Sprite has a very good history after 1985. The
first owner was Barbara Clements who had the car until 1971. it
then changed hands to Gary Northway. he kept the car for two years
until 1973 where it changed hands a couple of times being sold to
Peter Bukenham then Jennifer Fellows and ending up with David
Wheeleker in November 1973. He had the car repainted in the
original colour of Old English White and in 1979 he put the car
into storage due to an increasing family and some problems with the
original engine. which was removed. In 1985 Anthony Marsh
bought the Sprite through John Coombes garage in Wiltshire as a
restoration project. On getting the car home he set about the
restoration by replacing the floors and sills and completely
rebuilding the front and rear suspension so by July 1986. the car
had an MoT but was not back on the road until 1988. In 1989. a new
differential was fitted with a 3. 9 ratio and the old speedometer. br/>reading 76. 89 miles. was replaced with a new one reading 35. 05
miles. 1990 saw the Sprite Mk. III 'Gold Seal' 1275cc complete
engine rebuilt using a fast road cam and the gearbox overhauled.
The work continued on the car with a re-spray in 1991. new
carburettors in 1992. stainless steel exhaust in 1996 and. looking
through the maintenance log book. it shows it has been fully
maintained by Mr. Marsh through to 2011. It was sold to Ms. Carole
Smith in 2013 and acquired by the vendor at the beginning of this
year. he then overhauled the rear suspension and replaced the rear
dampers. Finished with maroon leather interior. this 'Frogeye'
sprite is supplied with a V5C registration document. an MoT test
certificate which expires in May 2015. the original buff log book. br/>a large file containing invoices. old MoT test certificates. br/>correspondence between Mr. Marsh and Mr. Wheeleker. various notes
and information and a little notebook record on the car. Also
supplied is the original engine that requires overhaul and a blue
hard-top which has never been fitted. This very fast road car has
only covered 16. 00 miles in the last 25 years and has been
restored and fully maintained to the highest of standards.



Also published at eBay.co.uk

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