1959 Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite
Desirable 'home market' example

Registration No: PNL 278
Chassis No: AN59976
MOT: Exempt

• Desirable ‘home market’ example that was supplied new by Murray & Charleton Ltd. of Co. Durham
• Extensively restored by the previous owner being completed c.2014
• Believed just three owners from new and 55,000 miles
• Finished in its original colour combination
• Offered with a history file including BMIHT Heritage Certificate

Intended as a spiritual successor to pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type and Austin Seven Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May, 1958. Arising from the partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to a minimum through some inspired parts-bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it utilised the Austin A35's independent front suspension and four-speed gearbox. Powered by a twin-carburetted 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lb ft, it was capable of over 80mph. Put on sale for just £669, rarely before or since has a sports car enjoyed such a large fun-to-price ratio.

This vivacious little Sprite comes with plenty of history and presents well following an extensive overhaul in 2014. According to the BMIHT certificate, it was built on 20th January, 1959, and despatched on 3rd February, to be sold through Murray & Charleton Ltd. of County Durham. Originally finished in Cherry Red with red upholstery and black trim, it pleasingly still appears in the same colour scheme, and we note the presence of some desirable accessories such as the bullet mirrors and luggage rack. It is thought that it had just one owner until 2013, having been taken off the road in 1979.

The next owner treated it to a comprehensive, photographically-documented renovation, which included repairing the body shell with new metal where necessary (including keeping a steel bonnet), respraying it, retrimming the interior and going through all the mechanicals until the Sprite was ready for the road once more. The vendor purchased the car in 2015 and, in his time, it received a new distributor and dynamo in 2016, and new brake cylinders, rear springs, speedometer and rev counter in 2022 (the previous speedometer read 54,607 miles). The documents file includes the V5C, driver’s handbook, BMIHT certificate, a large collection of invoices and numerous photographs of the overhaul.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452