Vehicle Description
This first-year Austin-Healey Sprite is a desirable car for being
the noteworthy machine to launch the "Frogeye" look into the world.
So it's great to find one with such a well-coordinated paint
package, upgraded performance, and a nice price.
1958 was the first year for the Sprite, and it really changed the
automotive landscape. The unique headlight arrangement earned it
the Frogeye nickname, but there was a lot more to this body. The
red paint gives a nice gloss to the sleek body. But as you look
deeper at this design, you see the cool curves are also part of a
unibody construction that gives strength without adding weight. In
fact, this featherweight machine can even shed its roof, side
curtains, and windshield for racing. So while this one is a great
classic to look at - from the bright mesh grille to the factory
hubcaps - there's always an underlying feeling that you know this
was built for the pure joy of driving.
The black roof and side curtains are crisp and look great against
the red paint, but we really know a Sprite loves to be open to the
world. So it's great to know you get the same color appeal inside,
too. Black bucket seats, a black dash, and black door inserts look
great against the touches of red inside and that deep red
carpeting. The classic Healey dual-spoke steering wheel gives you a
terrific view of the full gauge package, including the large Smiths
speedo and tach. And the wood-topped gearstick is in that ideal
place where you want to rest your right hand. So this is a driver's
machine that truly feels instinctual.
The entire front end lifts on these first-gen Sprites. It's a cool
look that also shows everyone the strong unibody construction.
While the idea behind an A-H Sprite is about performance through
lightness, this one also has an extra secret. The Series I cars
topped out at 948cc, but this has the 1275cc displacement of the
final series. It inhales deeply with a nice set of twin SU carbs.
But the real performance piece in this setup you. The four-speed
manual transmission lets you take full control of the motor, and
you work in harmony with the engine to deliver an undebatable
driving experience. There's even a front disc brake upgrade to
maximize control.
A terrific fun classic with some terrific upgrades. This
Austin-Healey Sprite is exactly the classic you've been looking
for. Call now!
