![]() ![]() ![]() Useful investment Starter motor M35J type Part: £115.00 Incl. SC Leaflet Parts and accessories for british cars New old stock Rotary control for air valve at LHD models with plastic dashboard Part: £124.97 Incl. The engine used in the first series, the A-Series engine, leaves enough room for optimization. The Sprite is a very rewarding and very nice to drive vehicle. In 1971 the cooperation with Healey endet and so did the production. The AH Sprite from the 2nd series got a twin brother, the largely identical MG Midget. ![]() The first series were very basic but sold well, due to their attractive appearance and good performance. The car was developed by Donald Healey using as many parts from the BMC group shelves as possible. Running costs are also very low and it's hard to get fuel consumption below 40mpg….The AH Sprite was announced by BMC in May 1958 as a low-priced sports car the "a chap could keep in his bike shed". What isn't available new is generally available second-hand. When it comes to living with a Bugeye Sprite, Classic Motoring found the little cars a pleasure for collectors to own: “There isn't much that isn't available new for the Sprite…. That said, the more than 150 photographs and the short walk-around video available on the GarageKeptMotors site are the next best thing. Of course, the best way to fully assess the car's overall condition is an in-person visit, which we are happy to arrange by appointment. We are always impressed when owners have kept good records and held onto original literature and repair manuals for cars of this era, as is the case with this Bugeye Sprite. Interior touches include the raised, painted base of the floor mounted four-speed shifter, fixed-height side windows, spartan door storage bins, straightforward Smiths gauges, and the “Austin Healey Sprite” logo center-located on the sport steering wheel. (There's a reason the model starred in the Disney hit movie “Cars.”) The engine bay is tidy and nicely displays the upgraded 1098cc engine transplanted from a 1964 car. The red-painted metal wheels with chrome hubcaps are the height of simplicity, and the classic “Bugeye face” is as engaging as can be. The condition of the paint is bright and shiny, and chrome trim is similarly well maintained. Lovely in red over black, the beauty of the car's simple lines is easy to appreciate. The car's condition evidences well above average owner care through the years. Originally a Texas car, it has traveled just 55,000 miles, an average of under 1,000 mile per year. The Bugeye offered here is among the last of the Mark I Sprites. ![]() But for the purist, that's all part of the car's charm.” In terms of civility, the (Sprite) has virtually nil, while boot space is only accessed from the cockpit. Thanks to a surprisingly rigid bodyshell the handling was way ahead of its time and – thanks to quarter-elliptic rear springs (it) handles even better than later (models), plus suffers less from axle tramp, although ride is always a little hard. The gear-change is reasonably precise and the (Bugeye) is a fun car to punt around - and still return almost 40mpg. Steering is light and sharp the un-servoed brakes are positive and effective if in good order. Classic Motoring described it this way: “Weighing little more than half a ton the Sprite is amazingly agile and zippy. The absence of flash, unnecessary adornment, and pop-up headlights(in favor of those iconic “bug eyes”) was more than made up for by responsive handling and seat-of-the-pants feel. There's an elemental driving purity to an Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite. “A cheeky chappie that gives you more smiles per mile than any other sportster, the Bugeye is still fun at 50.” Classic Motoring “Crazy Frog” Bugeye Sprite review, 5/4/11 To be sure you access all the more than 150 photographs, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.) (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1961 Austin Healey Sprite MkI Bugeye on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. ![]()
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