Registration No: BVH 114A
Chassis No: AN5L/5290
MOT: January 2024

• Beautifully presented MkI 'Frogeye' Sprite supplied with hard and soft tops
• 1275cc engine with upgraded belt cam drive, hotter cam and gas-flowed head
• Fitted with a Ford Sierra 5 speed gearbox, sports exhaust and split Weber carbs
• Upgraded with disc front brakes, Minilite wheels and shock absorber conversion
• Restored in 2021 and supplied with a dating certificate and various manuals
• Recent MOT until 15th January 2024 and supplied with a current V5C

Thanks to its prominent bonnet-mounted headlights, the original Sprite quickly became known as the `Frogeye' ('Bugeye' in the USA). 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. The construction was `integrated' rather than a full monocoque and employed forward projecting chassis legs of the type used in the D- and E-Type Jaguars. The specification was minimal, there being no exterior door handles and no boot lid. Some 49,000 'Frogeyes' are said to have been built between 1958 and 1961, when the model was replaced by the more conventional-looking MkII Sprite. The Sprite was quickly adopted for competition by privateers and the Works team - the latter's first major success being the win of John Sprinzel and Willy Cave on the 1958 Alpine Rally. The cars proved handy on the race track too and to this day can be found in sprints, hill climbs and autotests.

This stunning looking Sprite was initially supplied to the USA in 1958 and as far as the vendor can ascertain was repatriated back to the UK in 1963, hence the 'A' registration number. Bought by him in 2008, he has carried out various engine and running gear modifications with a view to making it a more usable car in modern day road conditions. The front brakes have been upgraded to disc on Minilite wheels and the suspension has had a shock absorber conversion. The car is now fitted with a 1275cc engine, the cam drive has been upgraded to belt and the head gas-flowed together with a hotter cam, split Weber carburettors and a sports exhaust all driving through a Ford Sierra 5 speed gearbox. In 2021, the car was treated to an extensive, and expensive, bare-metal bodywork and interior restoration with the bonnet being replaced by an aluminium copy and comes supplied with a hardtop, a soft-top and a Tonneau. The vendor has driven the car around Europe and reports it is 'very tractable and fun to drive, usable in town in today's traffic and fine on the motorway'. It comes together with a British Heritage Trust Certificate, a period catalogue, a workshop manual, a drivers handbook and a couple of interesting BMC tuning manuals. Recently MOTd with no advisories, it is supplied with number of old MOTs and a current V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415 871189