Life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of our best-laid plans, which is the case with this 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk II and its current owner. Various circumstances mean it is a restoration project that stalled for two decades. However, the seller admits they will never do it justice and wish it to head to a new home and an owner willing and able to return it to its former glory. They have listed it here on Craigslist in West Marin, California. They set their sale price at $7,000, although they may consider reasonable offers. I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this lovable British classic.
If you mention the Sprite name to most people, their minds will be instantly drawn to the bug-eye version. That’s quite an achievement, considering the company only built that model for three years out of a total production run of fourteen years. The Mk II lacks the innate charm of its predecessor, but it still possesses a winning personality. This 1962 version wears Signal Red paint that shows its age. It still holds a reasonable shine, but the scratches, chips, and other imperfections mean the next owner will probably choose a repaint as part of their ongoing strategy. The seller states there are rust issues, but these appear confined to areas like the lower rear quarter panels. The floors and trunk pan look fine, probably courtesy of spending its life in California. Addressing those issues and applying a fresh coat of paint should be straightforward, although I believe this classic deserves more. If someone is searching for the ideal candidate for a hands-on or DIY restoration, it is hard to discount classic British sports cars. Their engineering principles are simple, and most of the disassembly and reassembly work is possible using basic workshop tools. Therefore, if the new owner craves a nut-and-bolt project, this could be the car. Both bumpers require a trip to the platers, but the remaining trim looks acceptable. A welcome bonus is the factory hardtop that makes this an all-weather classic.
The Sprite Mk II rolled off the line powered by a 1,097cc four-cylinder engine that sent 56hp to the back wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Although these little gems tip the scales at a mere 1,456lbs, the modest power figure makes the 19.4-second ¼-mile ET unsurprising. However, the story could be slightly better with this classic. The seller indicates the engine bay now houses a 1,275cc powerplant, but its origins and specifications are unclear. The company introduced that engine to the Sprite range in 1967, pushing the power output to 65hp. That’s hardly a dramatic increase, although it does represent a 16% improvement. The news could be even better, thanks to the seller’s decision to replace the original SU carburetors with a downdraught Weber. The car will hardly set the world on fire, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t slash at least a second off the ¼-mile time. Although this classic isn’t roadworthy, it does run and drive. For those preferring authenticity, the seller includes any removed parts so they can return this Sprite to factory specifications. It received many new brake components last year, but the system requires bleeding to improve the pedal consistency. There is also a new clutch slave cylinder and an electric fuel pump. We’re told the engine is strong, with the seller willing to supply a video confirming it doesn’t smoke or make odd noises.
If this Sprite’s exterior paint shade is original, I believe someone retrimmed its interior. My resources indicate the company offered Black upholstery with Signal Red paint in 1961, but buyers could only receive Red trim in 1962. Therefore, an authentic restoration would involve an interior retrim. Before I considered that approach, I would carefully clean everything. The seats show some slight stretching, but like the remaining upholstered surfaces, there is no evidence of wear or abuse. The same is true of the dash, although the radio/cassette player looks out of place. The only item that begs for replacement is the carpet. If the rest of the trim proves acceptable, returning the interior presentation to a good driver-quality standard could involve nothing but time, effort, and $220 for a new carpet set.
Undeniably, no classic will appeal to 100% of our readers. Those interested in cars offering stunning outright performance may turn their back on this 1962 Sprite Mk II, but in doing so, they could miss out on one of motoring’s most engaging driving experiences. If they pointed this Sprite at a twisting ribbon of bitumen, it is a safe bet they would emerge at the end of that journey with a mile-wide smile. If the new owner completes the restoration themself with an eye for detail, the finished product could command a value above $20,000. That means it will probably never be a mega-bucks investment, but sometimes classic car ownership is about far more than pure dollars and cents. It is about the memories we create, and this Sprite should make a few pleasant ones for its next owner.
Cool sports car lineup, the Beemer, the VW K-G( my favorite VW), the Bugeye, but it’s the “Spriget” that hits home for me. Perhaps the author my not know that nickname where he’s from, but the last paragraph is priceless. Nailed it. Not sure about the $20g part, but wind in the hair( if any) is an addiction, of sorts. The world melts away, yes sir, top down British 2 seat motoring. I wish I had one right now.
The Mk ll Sprite/Midget was an improvement over the Bugeye, slight differences distinguish the 2. The MG, I read, was about $75 bucks more( $1939) than the Sprite( $1867) and both pretty crude vehicles. No door handles, roll up windows, a heater that barely defrosted the windscreen, and the fact a modern RAM could roll right over you, puts these in a class like an old pickup. Just horribly out of place for today, and not designed to do so. Sprigets are like Spitfires, a bit more conventional, what I like, of course, my feelings on the Weber are well known, this isn’t some Lambo super car, it’s an old pushrod motor that powered probably 90% of British vehicles, and happily spun for decades with an old SU or 2.
Again, I feel the market has all but fizzled on anything like this, I’m sorry, I just don’t see many folks in their vintage British roadsters lumbering down the back roads today. On my bicycle ride, there is a person with a red MG T series, parked outside their sprawling mansion, and yesterday, the guy was outside, so I said, nice car,,,a ’54? ( wild guess) Bingo, he said, a ’54 MGTF. It was absotively, posilutely stunning. He was from Connecticut, moved to Colorado, had the car shipped, and just putts around town. Nice guy, Bill was his name. While he said the body was restored, mechanical bugaboos almost made him sell it. Little stuff, mostly, stranded him once or twice, but he said, eventually, he got ahead of it, and all the troubles stopped, and he thoroughly enjoys the car. Here’s what you may be up agin with one of these on todays roads. It’s a great find.
https://www.mgexp.com/phile/3/103114/midgetandhummer1.jpg
Wait, this photo is better. Makes you realize how small they really are.
https://www.mgexp.com/phile/3/182346/Midget_between_2_trucks.jpg
I was just about scribble the same observation myself Howard. Opened this page getting back from work and there’s a bunch of heart breaking classics to feast my eyes on. If wishes were banks loans, I’de be very heavily in debt! Now I’m going scroll back to that beautiful looking BMW…….
Nice project car. There are panels available to repair the rear lower quarters from Moss Motors. It’s a quick, easy fix. the ’62s came with the 948 engine and were upgraded to 1098s in ’64. The 1275s in these cars do wonders for more power and when installed with the H2 carbs that came with them put a lot of fun into driving them. We use the 1275s in our primary race car and are pulling 120 hp out of what it a mild upgrade per the SCCA rules. Even more hp can be attained in the next classes up. All in all, the Sprites and Midgets were made for fun and do a great job providing it.
Have to agree these are small cars and there are many larger vehicles on the road than these were new. Mentioned a time I was 18 and drove my 67 Mk3 MG under back of pickup. Gave me a different view literally if driving. Hit the differential and spridgets your face is fairly close to that windscreen. Rear bumper stopped almost a the rear of the bonnet. (hood) I give the car ahead plenty of room after. But positive, these are so much fun! Little motor just giving all its got and properly maintained will do it all day.
Combination of the 1275 and a hardtop would make the Sprite more inhabitable on a chilly, damp day but these cars rarely seem to venture out in bad weather any longer.
I believe the ’62 still had the quarter-elliptic springs on the rear axle; the half-elliptics on later models improved the cornering and ride. It would be a fun project, but not fun to mix with lifted pickups on the same road.
Presence of a Weber on an unmodified street car usually meant someone either had too much money to spend, or had a mechanic who couldn’t set up the SUs.
Went to the half elliptics in 1967 when the 1275 engine debuted.
US$7,000???? Uh, no. This poor car is tired, rustier than it looks, and rough all over. Should someone save it? Of course! But at perhaps a third of the price. $10k would get you a very nice example, so this seller’s price is way out of line.
cheers,
BT
I daily drive a 1500 from late April till November in Bruce County Ontario.
This is rural Ontario and I share the road with lots of very large tractors, trucks and combines.
It is no worse than driving a motorcycle. You have to assume that no one sees you and be ready. On a winding road there is nothing better for the money.
I live my 1500 and wish I bought it 30 years ago.
Wet dreaming on the price
The changed engine destroyed its collectors value. Referring
to MG the MkI Midget are the rarest and with the 948cc fast
enough.
A nice project car to own a bargain roadster with good driveability.
Better look for a MKI MG because of their higher value.
Harry O drives one! Richard Janssen! Good show! I was working too hard back then!