Garage Find: 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite Project

This California car, a 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark II convertible, is on eBay in West Covina, California. Bidding is at just $3,333, and there is not much time left. The red beauty has been sitting in a garage for more than eight years. Its 948-cc Austin engine produces 47 horsepower, coupled with a four-speed manual. The car starts, runs, and drives but, as they say, needs some TLC.

Since it was pulled out of storage, some $5,000 has been invested in new parts: clutch, master cylinder, wheel and slave cylinders, tires, rebuilt twin carbs, tune-up, professional fuel tank removal and clean, fuel pump, carpet, seats (not leather), and battery. One of the seats is not bolted down for some reason.

The lights and gauges reportedly work. “Floorboards under the seats were replaced. Otherwise, it appears to be rust-free,” the consignor says. It is said to need breaking in and some brakes and/or clutch adjustments. “The car is amazingly easy and fun to work on,” it’s asserted, and indeed, these cars are as simple as can be.

The paint job looks rough, but at least it’s not peeling off. There’s some top frame and a loose top that probably needs to be mounted properly. The Sprite was initially produced in its famous Bug Eye configuration between 1958 and 1971. The Mark II was announced in May of 1961, using the same 948-cc engine but with larger SU carbs and a close-ration gearbox. The slight power gain was probably offset by the 100 extra pounds. Mechanically, it was about the same, but the styling was much more conventional, and now it had an opening trunk.

At this point, the Sprite was basically a badge-engineered MG Midget, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. My friend had one of these and loved it. She called it “my little car.” It rotted away, though, as early British cars tend to do when they’re not leaking oil.

In late 1962, the Sprite got a bigger 1,098-cc engine that was good for 56 horsepower, but this is presumably not one of those. This is a pity because front disc brakes were part of the package. Wire wheels also became an option, another thing this one doesn’t have.

The Mark II Sprite was cheap and cheerful and sold relatively well. Some 31,665 Mark IIs were produced. In testing by Britain’s The Motor in 1961, it reached 85.8 mph and could hit 60 mph in—wait for it—20 seconds. But on the other hand, it delivered more than 36 mpg. A deluxe version of the car cost £705 at the time. These Sprites have no huge valuation, being at $9,889 on Classic.com for 1962. Maybe you could snare this one for less than $5,000 and have a fun open-air ride that won’t require much additional work. But do tune it up and bolt down the passenger seat.