1959 | Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I

General information
Model year: 2024
Registration number: DH-51-18

Technical information
Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Drive: Rear wheel drive
Acceleration (0-100 kph): 21,0 s
Top speed: 133 km/h
Empty weight: 660 kg
Wheelbase: 204 cm

Environment
Energy label: A
Emission class: Euro 0

Austin Healey Sprite MkI 1959 ‘Frogeye’ finished in beautiful English colour ‘Prime Rose Yellow’

- older restoration
- optically and technically in good condition
- valuation report available from 2023
- equipped with nice accessories
- in possession of current Dutch owner since 2005

The iconic ‘Frogeye’ Austin Healey: a car of only 660 KG. To keep costs down, the slogan ‘Less is More’ is more than applicable. It is precisely this simplicity that makes the car incredibly fun to drive. This example is a MkI delivered in 1959, making it one of the earliest examples delivered. The car was imported to the Netherlands in 1993 and has been in the possession of the current enthusiast since 2005. Finished in a beautiful classic-English colour ‘Prime Rose Yellow’ and restored in the past, making it in good condition both optically and technically. It comes with nice and useful accessories such as Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel, fire extinguisher, tonneau cover, chrome trunk rack, stone catchers for the headlights, K & N air filters, main power switch, chrome valve cover and a trip master. This also makes the car perfect for (rally) rides. The linen hood is in clean condition and the steel wheels have original chrome hubcaps and good tyres. The interior is in black artificial leather with adjustable seats. This interior is also in clean condition. The 0.9-litre 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 4-speed manual transmission and makes it a joy to drive: instinctively quick, agile and pure. The current owner has therefore put the car to good use in various tour and rally drives, as can be seen by the many participation stickers.


General information about the Austin Healey Sprite
The Austin Healey Sprite was built from 1958 to 1971. Production of the MkI took place from 1958 to 1961. The focus was to develop a sporty but also affordable car, and the car was therefore made simple. For instance, the entire body was built in one piece at the front and could be opened to the rear to gain access to the engine. The engine is a 43bhp 948cc and is basically a souped-up engine from the Austin ‘A’ series. The car has no exterior door doors, locks, boot or side windows. Thanks to its distinctive appearance with the bulbous protruding headlights, the car was soon nicknamed ‘Frogeye’, or frog eyes. Due to its good handling, the car was also successful in rallying.