1959 Austin-Healey 'Bugeye' Sprite MK I

1,275cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Weber Twin-choke Carburetor
Est. 65bhp at 5,800rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Beautifully presented 'Bugeye' Sprite Mark I
*Tastefully upgraded with era-appropriate performance upgrades
*A fun and iconic little British Roadster
*Factory-delivered, left-hand drive example

THE AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE

Intended to make sports car motoring more affordable, the Donald Healey-designed Sprite entered production at MG's Abingdon factory in March 1958. The new car was officially introduced a few months later in Monte Carlo, just prior to the Monte Carlo Rally, underlining this brand-new car's sporting intentions. Its unitary construction body shell featured a distinctive, rearward-hinging, combined bonnet and wings, which was topped by two 'bugeye' headlamps, thus ensuring instant recognition and the now familiar nickname.

The Sprite used independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, ensuring great road holding. Despite a Spartan equipment level - even the front bumper was listed as an extra! - the 'Bugeye' sold well, which perhaps was unsurprising as there was nothing competing with it either on price or performance.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This lovely Austin-Healey 'Bugeye' Sprite Mark I benefits from a beautiful restoration and period-appropriate performance upgrades, giving the light and nimble British sportscar quite capable driving characteristics. Completed at the Abingdon-based Sprite production line during May of 1959, this little Roadster was equipped from the factory with the left-hand drive steering arrangement as seen on the car today and shipped off to the sports car hungry US market from new.

The performance-oriented restoration performed on the Sprite included upgrading the engine to a 1.275cc unit a with better flowing aluminum cylinder head - a bolt on upgrade - and fitment of a high-performance Weber carburetor. Further work included fitment of a new sway bar, radiator, performance exhaust system and header, electronic ignition and alloy water pump. Today the charming little 'Bugeye' (or 'Frogeye' as they are referred to overseas) presents beautifully inside and out in the correct for a 1959 Sprite Mark I 'Cherry Red' exterior color which lays nice and flat on the curvaceous Roadster bodywork. Inside the little 2-seater cockpit, the bucket-style Roadster seats were recently re-trimmed in black, and an original Motorola radio adorns the dashboard. A Tonneau cover, side curtains and Heritage Certificate is offered with this little iconic 'Bugeye' Roadster which runs on era-appropriate Mini-Lite Alloy wheels. This charming 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark I is a very tidy and high-performing example of the iconic and easily recognizable little British sport car.