Back in the late 1990s, as a young man with any number of future collector cars on his mind, I’d religiously watch the SCCA Runoffs (the Super Bowl of amateur road racing) on TV. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon to see Midgets, Sprites, and Spitfires still mixing it up at Road Atlanta, their owners going toe-to-toe with much newer machinery. It all looked like a very good time, and while I’m glad I never caught the racing bug (my regular car hobby costs enough), the thought of cruising around in a small, relatively inexpensive British Sports Car has never lost its appeal. This beautiful 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite might be one of the nicer examples you’ll find, and it was pictured on the cover of Moss Motors’ magazine (I got an issue after ordering a pair of mirrors for my Volvo 1800S—it’s a nice little publication). Barn Finder T.J. found it here on craigslist in Sacramento, Califoirnia, with an asking price of $12,000.
The 1967 Sprite (called the Mark IV in the literature) had the BMC 1275cc four-cylinder, making it perhaps the best model year in a long-line of Sprites (although some will argue for the Bugeye, of course). The 1275 produced 65 horsepower at a full 6,000 rpm, while also producing 72 lb.-ft. of torque at only 3,000 rpm. Breathing through two SU carburetors, the 1967 model came along before emissions regulations started to strangle the little A-Series engine. The seller says that this one is “turned over monthly” and “lightly driven.”
The Sprite’s interior is spartan as a real sports car always was, but it appears to be in phenomenal condition. The car comes with plenty of literature, a spare tire, and even a tonneau cover. The 1967 model had roll-up side windows and an easy to raise (and lower) convertible top, unlike earlier models whose top was often described as an “erector set.”
All Sprites had four-speed manual transmissions, of course, and the rear axle ratio was 4.22:1.
Being a California car, it’s no surprise that it looks about as dry as it can be. Although the seller doesn’t mention any restoration work the car might have had, it is described as having a “good history.”
The simple little Sprite (and the nearly identical MG Midget) represent the embodiment of fun on wheels. With rack-and-pinion steering, a live rear axle, front disc brakes, a curb weight well under a ton, and a willing 1275cc engine, it’s no wonder that so many people removed the windshield, bolted in a roll bar, and took to the track. While this car is far too nice for those kinds of shenanigans, it would be the perfect car for hitting the twisties at a reasonable and prudent pace.
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