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Austin Healey Sprite
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1958 - 1961 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
In-line 4 |
Capacity: |
948 cc |
Power: |
43 bhp |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
135 km/h |
Number
Built: |
38,999 |
Collectability: |
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In 1958 few sports cars were more endearing that
the Austin Sprite. It earned the nickname of "Frogeye"
due to its pop-eyed headlights and somewhat gaping grin.
It captured the hearts of 3000 Healey enthusiasts all
over the world being a rather chirpy character on the
road with a top speed of 135 km/h.
Assembled at Abingdon, it was based on a simple but
sturdy steel unit construction shell the Sprite had
immense character, acceptable performance, direct steering
and good handling, all for a very (at the time) purchase
price.
The Sprites 948cc engine was the BMC A-Series,
which developed 43bhp at 5200rpm making the Sprite good
for a top speed of 85mph. The front suspension was borrowed
from the A35, while the steering rack, back axle and
brakes were borrowed from the Morris Minor.
The distinctive bodywork featured bulbous headlamps,
and the car was quickly dubbed the "frog-eye" by the
motoring public. With the headlamps attached to the
bonnet, it would hinge up together with the front wings
from the scuttle.
To save costs the designers did away
with an external boot system, making it necessary to
tilt the driver and passenger seat forward to gain access
to the rear compartment. But, at �667 when new, it was
considered extremely affordable and there was virtually
no sports-car competition at that price point.
Naturally the car sold very well, and after 48,999 cars
had been built, the "frog-eye" was replaced by the Sprite
Mk. II in mid-1961.
The Mk. II Sprite received considerable
modifications, particularly to the body work. It was
now a far more conventional looking vehicle, featuring
squared up front and rear styling, a normally opening
bonnet, and a far more convenient boot-lid.
Those that have read the Morris Garages article on this
site would know that it was a "badge-engineered" version
of this car that was sold as the MG Midget.
The first
of the Mk. II's retained the 948cc engine, but in the
autumn of 1962 this was replaced by 1098cc derivative.
In 1964 came the Mk. III, now fitted with window winders
on the doors, and a half-elliptic (instead of cantilever)
leaf spring rear suspension - and naturally a more powerful
engine.
The final major change came in October 1966, when the
de-tuned version of the Mini-Cooper S 1275cc engine,
with and a 95mph top speed, was made available. But
strangely it was the MG that was gaining in popularity
- the "Midget" outselling the "Sprite" consistently
every year. This remains the only time (that we are
aware of) that a badge-reengineered car has outsold
the original!
After the formation of British Leyland in 1968 the days
of the Austin-Healey were numbered. Two years later,
in 1970, the last Sprite was manufactured after a total
of some 79,338 Mk. II & III's had been built. Instead
of wasting already manufactured body shells, a further
1,022 "Austin" only Sprites were manufactured in 1971,
but unfortunately the "Healey" name was no-longer. |