1960 Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite

Registration No: KVS 219
Chassis No: AN5/41064
MOT: Exempt
Estimate: £16,000 - £18,000

Motor Car Location: County Durham

• A home market example that was specified from new with a hard-top
• Fitted with a steel bonnet, side screens and tonneau cover
• Subject to a restoration in the 1990s
• Accompanied by a large history file including British Motor Industry Heritage Trust

Intended as a spiritual successor to inexpensive pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type or Austin 7 Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May 1958. Fruit of the growing partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to a minimum through some inspired BMC parts bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it combined the Austin A35's independent front suspension and four-speed gearbox. Powered by a twin-carburettor fed 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lbft of torque, it was capable of over 80mph. Credit for the Frogeye's wonderful styling lies with both Gerry Coker and Les Ireland. Put on sale for just £669 including purchase tax rarely before or since has a sports car enjoyed such a large fun-to-price ratio.

Manufactured in 1960, this home market ‘Frogeye’ was despatched new on the 25^th of May to dealership Murray and Charleston of Middlesborough. Presented today in Red with Black leather interior upholstery, a Black soft-top, and Black tonneau (which was replaced in 2015), the Healey show seven former keepers on the V5 document. Specified from new with a heater, rev counter, windscreen washer, front bumper, laminated windscreen, and scarce black hard-top (as presented with today), the Austin benefitted from a comprehensive restoration in the 1990s which included a full repaint and an engine and mechanical overhaul, amongst additional restoration work. Recently provided with a pre-MOT test which gave the Frogeye a clean bill of health, chassis number ‘AN5/41064’ is offered with a large history file which includes the aforementioned BMIHT heritage certificate, driver's handbook, a large collection of previous invoices, selection of MOT certificates dating back to 1992 and current V5C document.

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