1966 Austin Healey Sprite Series 3 1098cc Barn Find

1966 Austin Healey Sprite S3 convertible British sports car 1098cc engine with twin SU's which runs really sweet with good balance.3 previous owners with the first keeper owning for best part of 50 years!This is a running restoration project/barn find which is solid enough but does have filler present the rear panels and paintwork generally is rough. This was all done decades ago so not rotted through just poor prep work with cellulose paint.Floors, inner wings, doors, boot, Bootlid, front wings all good. Sills seem fine and solid having been replaced at sometime. Rear quarters generally good but some filler present in the arches along with a dent filled which has cracked on the O/S due to poor prep, you can see the reverse side in the boot and it's not rotten. I would allow for repairs to the arches although the steelwork seems ok behind so odd really. The bonnet has some filler on the front edge but plentiful on the secondhand market if you don't fancy the repair.Basically it wants a good body prepping, refill nicely, repaint and just enjoy as is with nice patina throughout.The engine is lovely and quiet with an unleaded head, transmission, diff and mechanics are all sound.The car has been converted to Alternator.Loads of old paperwork including MOT's, the oldest of which is 1985 where the mileage was 06990, the car is now showing 21166 so done very little mileage in all those years.It's last MOT expired in 2018 so gives you an idea of when last fully roadworthy.It's Historic so tax and MOT free now allowing the new keeper to fettle, restore or enjoy improving in their own time.I bought this recently in Cornwall to restore but have a couple other cars in front at the moment including an Esprit which is taking all my time at present so seems a shame to leave it under a luxury fitted outdoor cover (not included but negotiable) albeit well protected from the weather. If it doesn't sell I'll restore over the next year or so as originally planned.The original buff logbook is included and the car still retains its original number and wire wheels.The Jack is present along with original bag, lots of invoices including the sale invoice from Beaulieu garage in 2017 for £6500.Before it's driven on the road the brakes will need some service work as the LH front caliper sticks and the brake light pressure switch needs changing.It was taken for a MOT in 2020 where the brakes, Anti roll bar bushes, headlight aim and a leaking fuel hose were picked up. Again a good sign nothing structural and all easy enthusiast fixes. (You can view the MOT history online via the DVLA site)I've only driven it up the road and it seems fine with a nice sound, the clutch could do with a bleed but works although I more suspect the return spring which is definitely wrong and really weak.The original MW radio is even working with its original speaker along with the original clock.Not fully checked the electrics but everything appears ok albeit maybe an odd bulb wants changing, it needs a new period rear fog light which attaches to a bracket below the rear bumper.The interior is quite pleasant with a period steering wheel cover, nice seats and good carpets which need gluing in a few areas. Door panels are fine again with a couple edges needing some impact glue which is all TLC stuff.Comes with a Haynes service manual.The chrome has some nice patina and pitting but not rusty so I would leave or re-chrome not replace with modern reproductions as only original once. The paintwork is not good so the first job I planned was to prep, paint and use along with fixing all the loose trims, replacing rubbers, polishing up the chrome then enjoying, I like some ageing on classics as it shows they have lived a life and been enjoyed.A more comprehensive restoration was something for the future as there's still lots life in the old girl yet with some tender loving care applied and some fresh paint.The hood is present but wants a couple repairs or a new cover which isn't expensive, the frame wants a repaint ideally but sound.Please come and view as these cars are a labour of love and condition is rather subjective.I may P/X but please ask first and only within ebay rules.I can arrange delivery at £1 per mile, the car is in Plymouth.Payment by bank transfer or cash only 

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