Lot details Registration No: 6136 NX Chassis No: AN5-35367 Mot Expiry: None
Thanks to its prominent, bonnet-mounted headlights, the original Sprite quickly became known as the 'Frogeye' - a moniker that has stuck to this day. 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 was coil spring and wishbone with lever arm damper at the front and quarter elliptic springs and lever arm dampers at the rear. The construction was 'integrated' rather than a full monocoque and featured forward projecting chassis legs of the type used in the D- and E-Type Jaguars. The minimal specification excluded exterior door handles and boot lid. Some 49,000 Frogeyes were built between 1958 and 1961. The Sprite was quickly adopted for competition by privateers and the Works - 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, hillclimbs and autotests.
As a quick look under the bonnet will attest, '6136 NX' is no ordinary Frogeye. Owned by the same family since 1976, it was previously modified for competition use with: disc brakes, roll-over bar and four-point harnesses, and extensively lightened - even the handbrake was drilled! The Healey retains its earlier alloy doors but now has a glassfibre body, while the roll bar and harnesses have been removed. The car is currently fitted with a 1300cc A-Series engine plus supercharger - both of which were reportedly overhauled just 100 miles ago. It also sports a new hood and recovered seats and rides on new wheels and tyres.
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