This tale of two Austin-Healey Sprites begs us to choose: both are early cars but the red one is an Irish twin of the Bugeye, with production separated by a mere year. It shares the same motor, albeit with slightly larger carbs. The black car is a Mark III Sprite, with a larger motor, better weather equipment, and uprated suspension. Both run, but the expensive one is ready for Cars ‘N Coffee and the other needs a boost to get there. The ’65 Mk III is bid to $6400, here on eBay while the early Sprite is bid to $1030, also on eBay. The black car is located in Saginaw, Michigan, while the red car is in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Let’s compare and contrast!
The Sprite Mk II was BMC’s idea of a “modern” incarnation of the Bugeye, which ended production in 1961. That cheap, cheerful car had no trunk lid, no door handles, no roll-up windows, and a bare 43 hp. So small that you could tuck it into a garden shed, the Bugeye delighted thousands of enthusiasts and continues to inspire collectors today. The 948 cc in-line four-cylinder A-series engine was carried over into the earliest Sprite Mk IIs, but the twin SUs were an eighth inch larger – all of 1 1/4″! – so output reached 46 hp. The Mk III received an uprated 1098 cc four, with 59 ponies. Externally, it’s difficult to tell a 948 from a 1098 or the “big block” 1275, but here are a few hints: the 948 will have “950” cast into the middle of the left-hand side of the block; the 1098 has a tag reading “1100” and side covers easing access to the valves and lifters; and the 1275 has a tag saying “1275”. If the tags are missing and the 950 is missing, but you have side covers, then you have a 1098. Two versions of the 1098 exist and one (“10CC”) is stouter than the other (“10CG”). That 10CC version is what we should have, above, in the black Mk III. The two Sprites’ gearboxes will be different, but both supply four speeds with no first-gear synchro. The black car will have semi-elliptic leaf springs, versus quarter-elliptics in the early car. The black car runs and drives well (note the seller believes it has a Weber conversion which it does not – those are SUs); the red car has had only three owners but is reluctant to start; it also needs brake and possibly clutch work.
The interiors reveal the evolution afoot between 1962 and 1965. The early car on the right has no vent windows, no interior handles, deep pockets in the door panels, that charming metal dash, and the cockpit trim that was a Bugeye signature. Weather equipment consists of a tinker-toy top and side curtains. The steering wheel is identical to the Bugeye’s. By 1965, the cockpit’s inhabitants were enjoying better seating, roll-up windows, real door handles in and out, and vent windows. Both cars offer a pleasing sensation of “wearing the car” while driving, but the ’65 will be minutely more comfy. The ’65 is a “get in and go” proposition, while the ’62 needs a spa day.
The red car is said to have possibly been repainted; photos in the listing show the panels don’t match perfectly. The black car’s paint is nice, but a dent mars one fender. Very nice Sprites sell for around $20k, leaving at least a little headroom for improvements. Which Sprite would you pick as a winter project?
Couple of nice cars. The ’65 was the first year of the full length 1/2 elliptic rear springs and ’66 the last year of the 1098 engine. Both the 948 and 1098 engines had the side plates giving access to the lifters without taking any other pieces off the block. That’s a real benefit to those of us still racing these engines.
Another fun comparison, Michelle. Having had a ‘61 in HS it was always a weekend search for later doors, engine, upgrade from drum to disc brakes and gearbox in Rancho Cordova (renowned for their various salvage yards close to each other). The select very few found were generally stripped of anything worthwhile but it was still interesting to see what wound up there, a riddle of what was the cause of its ultimate demise.
Poor Ms. Rand, preaching to the choir on most of her posts. Well, consider me part of the choir, I thoroughly enjoy the posts. This is a no brainer for me, the older one, simply because, look at it, it’s a BASIC car. It was too spartan for Americans, where sliding windows, if any, didn’t cut it in a blizzard. I think the ’62 did have a heater, that barely kept the windscreen clear. The ’65 was a much more refined car, and that was the money maker, not the Bugeye or the Mk ll. Again, way too small for any kind of travel here today where ultimate behemoths roam, but it wasn’t always that way. These seemed right at home with Falcons, Mavericks,,Fiats and such. The low bids is a pretty clear indicator nobody wants these anymore. and that’s just the way it is.
BTW, is that a Honda 900 Custom “10 speed” motorcycle next to the red one? Those were nice bikes.
While living in Michigan forgetting to tape the sliding windows shut got me a car full of snow. As said, didn’t cut it in a blizzard. Did have a good heater though. All the Spridgets did have heaters as standard equipment. Needed them for defrosting more than anything else.
I’m with you. I would take the 62. I like the 948, I like the primitive feel of a true roadster, I like the nearly barren interior.
An acquaintance located near me closed his British car repair shop for months to drive his MGB around the country looking for old British repair shops – a kind of personal quest. Ok, an MGB is larger for sure, but somehow he was away in all kinds of weather, all kinds of traffic, in that little car. I have fantasies about doing something similar in a Model A!
Happy Nearly New Year, everyone!
I had a descendant of these cars, a 1979 MG Midget (one of the last built). It was somewhat more refined, but the chrome bumper cars were undoubtedly more fun to drive.
I’d go with the Mark III, especially as a driver. The Mark 11 would be more collectable, and a worthwhile project.
These cars are simple, and parts are available. They have rust issues, though.
Neither, thank you.
If you drove one you might change your mind. I have a 1500 – far less desirable than these cars and I only regret not buying one sooner.
They are a blast to drive.
I had an early 60 something one. Nice little car, but it was in my younger days and 50 pounds less. Never really had any problems except when the bolts on the upper control arm broke, but I was still able to make it home. Wish I still had it.
I’d take the 65 even though it looks a little rusty on the underneath! Had one years ago and loved it!
My Dad had a red mkII Sprite. It was the first car I ever really drove, not just steered. I was 10 and scared shirtless.
I have had a -59 Bugeye and a -67 MkIII. For me at 6’3” the older car was actually more comfortable as those seats offered a bit more space. And neither one is fast so I thought flogging the 948 cc engine was more fun.
At 17 years old I thought selling my 1959 VW Beetle to buy a 1963 Austin-Healey Sprite made a lot of sense . . . it was going to be much more fun and maybe more of a chick magnet. Neither proved to be true . . . I spent more time riding my Schwin 10-speed bicycle, spending what little money I had buying parts that were overpriced combined with ancient engineering/design . . . the chick magnet sort of worked since they took pity me. Thankfully my parents traded me their 1966 VW Beetle for the Sprite when I graduated from HS a year later so that I had dependable transportation while attending college. Now many years later I wish I had kept the VW Beetles and have no desire to re-live those BMC nightmares. A 1962 VW Beetle project in similar condition would have multiple bids by now.