Sure, this isn’t the hairy chested Austin-Healey 3000, but few cars deliver more smiles per mile than its little brother: the Sprite. In this case a 1963 Mark II listed in this Vermont craigslist ad with a $6,500 asking price. Manufactured along side the MG Midget in its day, the Sprites share same mechanical bits as the Midget and really only differ in badging. The Austin-Healey name carries a bit more weight than the MG in some enthusiast circles however, and the prices can reflect this.
The ad is fairly short and the pictures are telling that work is needed, but the seller states the car is solid, with the original floors, trunk, and suspension mounts being in “perfect shape.” However, only a partial photo of the trunk is provided. The claim of perfect floors and suspension mounts should be visually verified as these small wonders tend to rust at the slightest mention of rain. The photos the seller provided of the cars exterior shows a dull paint appearance, when enhanced, shows evidence of many scuffs and a possible introduction to rust on the driver side outer rocker panel.
The stainless bumpers are there and appear serviceable, as does the other bright work trim; and all four dished hubcaps appear in good order. The seller is including a soft top, and the side curtains, however no photos are provided to gauge condition.
This Sprite comes with the 1098cc engine which when new had around 56HP with a top speed of about 85, downhill with a tail wind, and a 4-speed gearbox. These little power units produce a terrific noise and absolutely love to be wound up during spirited back road jaunts. They don’t really perform well on the modern American freeways as they are a little too underpowered to keep pace, but through the twisty turns of a canyon road is where the charm and fun begins. Only one engine shot is provided and it looks as though it could definitely use a good cleaning, and it is nice to see the twin SU carburetors are still in place.
As for the interior again only one photo is provided, and it shows several tears in both the driver and passenger seat, the dash also appears to have several cracks. Count on purchasing a complete interior upholstery kit from one of the plentiful after market vendors out there to put the interior right again. It is unknown if the instruments work, however one can be assured that some electrical work or cleaning will probably take up a Saturday afternoon. Just remember that the cockpits of these are spartan at best, and having to perform any under dash repairs is best done with the seats removed.
A slew of new parts is claimed to have been installed such as new exhaust, brakes, and tires, and this will have to be verified. While seller claims this is a turn key car, the $6,500 price seems a little steep for this particular car, one may be able to talk it down a bit and have a decent car to drive around New England during the summer months, while taking the long winter to make it even better. Again, few cars are quite like the Austin-Healey Sprite, and the top down fun of driving a relatively slow car fast certainly makes one stand out from the rest.
If the seller was offering the white Frogeye, we’d already be talking!
I owned a Frogeye for a while, purchased for $75 as a non-runner, which I drove home after my father and I hooked up a couple of loose wires. Great fun!
Somehow, I never warmed to the restyled later cars, which didn’t seem nearly as cheerful to me. I’m sure they were every bit as much fun to drive, though.
Sprites have always seemed the ideal “starter cars” for someone just getting into classic sports cars. They’re dead simple to work on, and parts aren’t too much of a problem. And even if their on-paper performance is nothing to get excited about, they feel fast!
Price seems a wee bit high. But then, the seller has apparently done some of the work any prudent buyer would want done.
I had a heavily modified 61, punched out to 1300cc, and on a tight course, it was the terror of MGs, TR4s, and equal in performance to the Cooper. The problem was that the engine and running gear couldn’t handle the power. The good news was, that parts were cheap. Installing radial tires on the car made a big difference in the handling.
I don’t know how much was changed in the later Sprite, but I can say that the earlier car was a joy to drive. I had both tops and the plexiglas windows, which made the car much more practical in the mild winter weather.
Bob
A ‘63 Sprite is a really cool car especially with hardtop & sliding windows.
Have not seen many of these cars with all the parts still on them. Bumpers are steel, not stainless. Brits too cheap for stainless. Putting a modified 1275 cc will get you around 100 hp in street form. We own two Bugeye race cars and can guarantee you that there is rust somewhere. Whether major or minor there is replacement parts available to repair almost anything on the body shell. It’s a good $5,000 buy if rust is at a minimum.
I had a friend just out of HS with a car exactly like this. Had a lot of fun with that car. “Sprigets”( Sprite/Midget) were much more popular than any other sports car. I was disappointed in a recent Hemmings article about “noteworthy British cars”, the Spriget wasn’t mentioned once.( and I let the editor know about it) These cars turned a lot of folks onto the,,, joys,,, of British top down motoring.
My sisters boyfriend had one of these while he was in college in Ohio. Bought it new.
We moved to central Florida, and he drove it down to visit a few months later.
He’s 6’5″.
To this day I don’t know how he did it.
Here’s my 61!
She’s a beauty! I’ve always wanted one of these….
Saw one of these at Barrett Jackson CT this year. The color could best be described as “salmon”.
Neat car just don’t make mine that particular shade.
I had one, adorable cars, not swift but perfect for roads as described in the post,
parts are easily available. Have one for the experience. It will bring back your sense of humor.
I know I’ll probably be attacked for saying this but I always wanted one of these but I wanted to put a mildly worked Ford 302 and C4 trans in it. Otherwise keep stock looking. Would be a mind blower especially at the red light. Poor mans Cobra.
Apparently, you’re not the only one. I’d have to think this would be downright dangerous.
http://www.dailyturismo.com/2013/10/10k-austin-helly-1969-austin-healey.html
Many years ago I did a double-take as I passed a for sale sign on a Bugeye with a large bulge in the bonnet.
Two words describe my test drive :
brief – and frightening.
The guy had stuffed in a 289 with a
4-speed.
Be careful what you wish for……
I passed and bought a stock original 67 Sprite…….and lived to tell about it !
A couple notes about these cars: First of all you don’t “get into” a Spridget, you put it on. The critical issue is that the distance between the seat and the “A-pillar” is less than most men’s shoe sizes. So you have to turn your right foot to get it into the (LH-drive) car, then slip your knee into the footwell just as you put your bum on the seat. There’s a trick to it and it requires practice.
By the same token, although very simple, these cars are not anywhere near as easy to work on as MGBs due to the limited space under the bonnet. I suspect the frog-eyes were a lot easier in this regard as you didn’t just lift the bonnet, you lifted the entire front clip.
Having said all this about getting in the car (putting it on), once inside, my 6′ body found loads of foot-room and I was very comfortable. Mine was a ’71 with the 1275 – what a ball to drive!
The Sprite will test your flexibility to no end, but once you’re settled it it’s a fairly comfy fun ride.
I had a Triumph Spitfire, a friend had a (we didn’t call them frog eyed) Bug Eyed Sprite. Fun cars but they always seemed to have something that need to be worked on.
Looked at a Midget one time, surprised when went to open the door and the hinge area was rusted out and the door fell off.
They are what they are, most either love or hate them. Few are in between that.
Personally I think they’re way on the high side on this one, but that’s just me.