26th Apr, 2023 13:00

Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire

 
Lot 26
 

1959 Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite

Sold for £20,250

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: VAX 912
Chassis No: AN517186
MOT: Exempt

  • Subject to an extensive restoration from 2001 to 2005
  • Fitted with a 1275cc engine and full weather equipment
  • Photographs of the restoration and V5C document
  • Long-term previous ownership
  • Subject to mechanical fettling in current ownership

Thanks to its prominent, bonnet-mounted headlights, the original Sprite quickly became known as the `Frogeye'. The little two-seater, designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company and built by BMC at the MG factory in Abingdon, was launched in Monte Carlo immediately prior to the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. The unique, one piece bonnet covered a mildly tuned, 43bhp 948cc version of the BMC `A' series engine already found in the Austin A35 and Morris Minor. The suspension featured coil springs and wishbones up front, quarter elliptic springs to the rear and lever arm dampers all round.

Presenting in the iconic Old English White with a desirable Red interior, this pretty ‘Frogeye’ Sprite (aka the ‘Bugeye’ in the USA) was a UK-supplied car with the date of first registration being 23rd May, 1959. Previously being in long-term ownership between 2001 and 2021, the then custodian of this revered little British sportscar restored the Sprite between 2001 and 2005. The extensive restoration was photographed, showing work was carried out to the bodywork, paint and mechanicals, with the current owner carrying out some mechanical fettling. Just c.500 miles have been completed since the restoration.

During the restoration process the ‘Frogeye’ was fitted with a 1275cc engine from a Sprite donor car, with the owner retaining the VIN plate and a copy of the donor car’s log book before it was scrapped which accompany the car. That engine is understood to have been previously reconditioned which when checked, by the vendor’s mechanic, was found to have good compression.

Over the last few years ‘VAX 912’ has benefitted from a service and some expenditure that has included; an electric fuel pump, R9 fuel hoses, battery, regulator, speedo cable and some fettling to carburettor. The ‘Frogeye’ is offered with its ‘as new’ full weather equipment, spare wheel, a collection of invoices and restoration photographs, the engine donor’s VIN plate and copy log book, parts and workshop manual plus V5C document and is also fitted with front disc brakes.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760

 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire, 26th Apr, 2023


Established in 1993, H&H has sold some of the world's most significant motorcars and motorcycles over the past 30 years. Trusted by over 75,000 clients worldwide, we are the longest established auction house of our kind in Europe. 

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held in the beautiful surrounds of the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Derbyshire.  

Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our website, by telephone and commission. 

Parking at the venue is available and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door. 

To enquire about entering your motorcar into the auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click the Valuations For Sale button below. 

 

AUCTION VENUE  Click to View Catalogue

VIEWING TIMES
Tuesday 25th April 2023 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 26th April 2023 from 9am

To take part in the auction please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page

 

 

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine