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Curated Auction

1959 Austin-Healey Frog-Eye Sprite (Mk1)

At a Glance

Over £7,000 Recent Spend | Refurbished Interior | Engine Renovation | Genuine UK RHD

  • Mileage~40 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine0.9L
  • LocationLeighton Buzzard

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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HRS
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CURRENT BID£1,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Consigner and Editor

It's back to motoring basics with the joyful and adored ‘Frog-eye’ Sprite.

An astute piece of engineering and marketing by race driver Donald Healey, the Austin-Healey Sprite was very much a thoroughbred in the stable of Healey cars. Healey kept an eye out on the low-cost market of cheap and not always cheerful kit cars and realised the potential for an affordable, easy-to-maintain open-top Roadster, with a strong monocoque body and race-type suspension.

Released in 1958, the Sprite became a formidable performer on the track and rally stages and was loved equally on both sides of the Atlantic. Healeys connection with Austin meant it was mechanically proven, with plenty of scope for tuning. However, it was its distinctive styling, earning the name 'Frog-Eye Sprite' that lingers in the memories of many. It proved to be an enormous success thanks to this charismatic styling and lean-meat philosophy regarding weight, eschewing frivolities such as door handles, winding windows and a boot lid. None of this mattered of course, because on the road, the Austin Healey Sprite is a joy to drive.

Overhauled in the last year at a cost of over £7,000, which includes an engine renovation, refurbished wire wheels with new tyres, several useful electrical modifications and an interior refit. First registered in 1959, this "Iris Blue" MK1 also comes with a hardtop, a front disc brake upgrade, its heritage certificate, user and mechanical manuals and a binder full of provenance.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting David the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

They say you never forget the first car you owned!

David has had this Mk1 Sprite for just under a year. He tells us "The first one I ever owned when I was 21 and being a retired engineer, I wanted a project to occupy me. I came across this 1959 car in an auction advert earlier this year and was swayed by its potential".

He goes on to say "It produces a wonderful noise as you drive on a spring/summer day to the pub along a quiet country road – or give your granddaughter a thrill! This is my third Sprite having rebuilt two previously but now need my garage space for my next 2025 project before I get too old". David will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

David
Vehicle Owner

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EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Its solid structure and presentation complement the desirable colourway.

Wheels and Tyres

The 13” wire wheels were refurbished in May 2024 and are in excellent shape.

To complement the wheels, David also fitted a full set of new Uniroyal tyres to the car, including the spare. They of course look in great condition with plenty of tread.

Bodywork

The exterior panels are free of dents and we couldn’t spot any discernible corrosion. The one-piece steel clamshell bonnet lower edges shows signs of historic repairs but is solid. It has also been de-seamed. The floor pan and rear wheel wells appear to be in decent shape and treated with a coating of rust inhibitor. The sills, boot floor and engine bay are solid.

The body panels offer an acceptable fit, with minor alignment maladies spotted on the clamshell front end and doors. The passenger doors require a little force to close but both appear not to scuff the door wells when closing. The body seems to be straight, although David pointed out that the front rail horn is uneven but doesn’t appear to affect the appearance of the car. The rear deck has been cut back to allow better access to the boot.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The "Iris Blue" paint has an even coverage with mild orange peeling in places. There is also some mild flatness on some sections of paint, with a handful of painted-over chips but the car generally offers a presentable lustre. Minor paint reactions were noted in some places, mainly on the nearside rear wing and front end. Small sections of the clamshell bonnet also show paint inconsistencies and evidence of a repair.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The windscreen is in good shape with no damage and a decent frame. The chrome trim is smart throughout, all well mounted and appears to be of a positive quality. The front bumper assembly is a recent fitting. The rubber seals are all in good shape too.

The car comes with a new works-style fibreglass hardtop. Also included are a pair of perspex side screens, a tonneau cover, a soft top and hood frame. The Hardtop does fit but will need some adjustment to fit perfectly. We didn't secure the rear screw mounts completely for a flush fit.

David admits that the canvas soft top hasn’t been used due to its pegs not making full contact, although the actual hood appears in good shape. The tonneau is a tight flush fit and in good condition.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Tastefully finished in blue, the cabin retains the Sprites minimalism with a touch of plushness.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have been completely refurbished with an attractive sky-blue leather. They have been professionally trimmed and presented as new.

The carpets have been subject to renewal and are now fitted with a blue Jaguar-quality set. All are in great shape and bone dry. The trunk area is also lined with carpet.

Dashboard

The dashboard has been subject to renovation and is now fitted with a covered fibreglass facia with new a speedometer and tachometer. The switch gear and minor controls are said to be in full working order, having seen a major rewire. The heating was noted to be particularly effective on a cold day.

A few marks were noted atop the facia but otherwise, the interior trim presents well. New inertia seat belts have been fitted too for safety.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The wooden Moto-lita steering wheel shows some age-related wear, and looks great in the car. The gear stick and gaiter are in good shape as pictured.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

Subject to several power upgrades and electrical improvements, the engine has also benefited from a recent renovation.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fired up straight away, sounding a little uneven to start with when cold, it soon settled down without any undulations or misfires and was smooth upon tick-over. No lingering ignition lights were noted during the start-up or during the test drive. The exhaust condensation soon cleared up and the car remained free of excessive smoke for the rest of our visit.

The engine has been subject to a renovation, carried out by David himself. Some of the previously uprated parts include a high-lift camshaft, flow exhaust manifold, bigger 1 1/2 SU carbs and inlet manifold + alloy rocker box cover. Further electronic improvements have also been carried out which include an electric fuel pump, electronic ignition + distributor, Malpassi filter/pressure regulator, dual horns/relay, new battery, reconditioned wiper motor/new electric washer water pump, nozzles and piping and a push-button starter. In addition, the car has a new stainless steel exhaust and silencer and a new alloy vertical-flow radiator.

The 4-speed gearbox was demonstrated to operate without issues. David crunched a few gears changing from low gear during the drive but it doesn't jump out of gear when under load. There are no reported issues with the clutch. Watch the video to see and hear the car in action.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension dealt with the uneven surfaces well, absorbing the potholes without thuds or upset.

The Sprites braking is effective, helped by the useful addition of front disc brakes and recently fitted brake calipers. They stop the car evenly with no pulling to one side. No unwanted noises or vibrations were observed.

The Drive

Despite the modest 948cc power, the Sprite feels like a racer when you're sat in the snug low-down cabin. Its swift corning abilities, balanced road holding are enhanced by its tightly nested gear shifts and sharp steering - It all adds up to a genuine sporting experience. The body felt stiff, with no squeaks or groans as we pushed the car towards 40 mph. It felt responsive, particularly at around 3000 rpm.

The handling is complemented by the rorty soundtrack from the new stainless steel exhaust, and as the engine warmed up, it sounded smoother by the minute, pulling well with no problems and retaining a steady oil pressure. The steering is sharp with no vibrations of significant play.

Electrics and Other

These cars don't have much by the means of creature comforts or electrics, and as mentioned, the car has had some significant works actioned to the wiring to ensure it works well.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

A genuine UK home market RHD, it is coming to market from just under 1 year ownership, the car has seen recent spend in excess of £7,000 which includes an interior overhaul, engine renovation and a new hardtop.

David has researched the history of the car and has offered a detailed known history. Originally delivered to Rotunda Garage of Cheltenham in February 1959, its Heritage certificate states that it is a genuine RHD Home Market car finished in "Iris Blue".

It was re-registered in 1971 and then rebuilt and repainted in 1981 while it was issued with a registration plate pertaining to its 1971 registration. This rebuild appears to have been carried out by Holbay Engineering, a specialist engine modifications and race tuning company, but there isn't any record of the work. It's likely to have seen some form of competition experience during this period, as it appears to have been fitted with a 1275cc engine and covered minimal mileage.

The next documentation after its 1986 MOT was in 2008 and reunited with its original number plate having gone through another repaint, this time in green and now fitted with its original 948cc engine.

It became part of a large collection in York in 2012, said to have seen a ground up restoration prior to this. It was bought by David in 2024 who saw it on an online auction. David notes that when he bought the car it had been upgraded with front discs, 1 1/2 SU HS4 carbs, a modified inlet manifold, its rear deck cut back and its engine block replaced.

The car comes with invoices back to 2010, with a few documents and MOTs from the mid-80s. The most recent expenditure is from David who bought the majority of parts from AH Spares of Warwickshire which tally up to over £7,000. As highlighted in the relevant sections, this covers the engine, cosmetics, interior and the hardtop. The mileage recording of 40 miles is due to the new Speedometer. The last MOT in June 2011 records a mileage of 47,412 and we should assume that only a small amount has been added since then.

The car is MOT and Road Tax exempt and comes with a user and mechanical manual.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned an HPI check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
03-06-2011 MOT 47,412
26-05-2010 MOT 47,042
26-03-2009 MOT 46,319
01-03-1986 MOT 44,744
20-11-1984 MOT 44,741
28-09-1983 MOT 44,505
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Key Details
  • ModelSprite "Frog-Eye" (Mk1)
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date16-08-1971
  • CC948
  • Mileage~40 on clock
  • HistorySince 2011
  • ColourIris Blue
  • Interior ColourBlue
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #AN59836
  • Engine #8C9RL12070MD
  • RestoredYes
  • Engine RebuildRenovation in 2024
  • MOT03-06-2011
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes - all clear
  • Former Keepers6 since 1971
  • Tyre BrandUniroyal
  • Tyre Age2024
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~10 Months
  • Key FeatureHome market car with £7k worth of recent spending
  • Auction ID2301
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Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

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Vehicle Location

Leighton Buzzard

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a Sprite like this is £158 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2024.

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    Vehicle Location

    Leighton Buzzard

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