1960 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite
No Reserve

Registration No: SRC 480
Chassis No: AN5/30885
MOT: Exempt

• A genuine, period 'Sebring Sprite' converted by Sprinzel in period
• Featured in 'Spritely Years' by John Sprinzel & Tom Coulthard
• Offered in need of restoration, but complete with a plethora of spares
• Eligible for several historic racing events including the Goodwood Weslake Cup

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 by coil spring and wishbone at the front and quarter elliptic springs at the rear, with lever-arm dampers all round. The construction was 'integrated' rather than a full monocoque and featured forward projecting chassis legs of the type used in the E-type Jaguar. 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 both privateers and the Works – the latter's first major success being the win of John Sprinzel and Willy Cave in the 1958 Alpine Rally. The model still proves handy in rallies, races, sprints, hill-climbs and autotests to this day and the most desirable competition variants are the genuine 'Sebring' Sprites built in period by the likes of the Donald Healey Motor Works, Speedwell, Lenham and the Sprinzel works.

Appearing in very enchanting project condition, ‘SRC 480’ comes with historic records dating to 1963 and a handwritten account of its earlier life. It was bought new from Ray Gibbon Cars of Birmingham as a standard Frogeye by Mr. Brian Harper, who despatched it to London for a Sebring conversion by John Sprinzel. The new car was sprayed in Rootes Pippin Red and converted to wire wheels, with Mintex M20 brake pads and Nash Metropolitan half-shafts. The 948cc engine was bored out to 997cc and fully balanced, with lightweight racing pistons, twin 1½in SUs and a “wild cam,” so that it could reputedly rev to 6000rpm. As a “road class” car, it did not use alloy panels. Photographic evidence confirms it was rallied in period.

In 1963, the Sprite was sold by Ashfield Motors Ltd. of Moseley, Birmingham, to Mr. Michael Wood of Solihull. He sold it to Mr. Robin Bramley in 1969, and the vendor bought it from him in 1983. More recently, it was featured in the 2008 book The Spritely Years by John Sprinzel and Tom Coulthard. Unused since 1978 and now in need of full restoration, it fortunately retains its original Girling disc brakes and callipers, which will be a great advantage if FIA homologation is sought. The interior appears to be as originally finished, with correct gauges and so on. This wonderfully historic car is sold with the current V5C, a green logbook from 1968, past sales receipts, copies of the rally photograph and notes on its early history, plus many spares including two engines and extra seats. Understood to be eligible for many prestigious events including the Goodwood Members’ Meeting’s Weslake Cup, it is undoubtedly a worthwhile undertaking.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430