Vehicle Description
Lightweight sports car fun with a legendary name attached to it is
why this 1958 Austin Healey Sprite is so alluring. These first-gen
Frogeyes have become truly desirable collectors, and so it's great
to see a first-year example that is so well finished.
This one is coming off of over two decades of long term ownership,
and so as you look over this whole car, you see a little bit of
extra care that goes into a classic you want as a keeper. It's in
everything from the way the panels align to correct details, like
the factory "AH" hubcaps. There's also an overall appeal because
these Sprites were all about the joy of driving. These first-gen
cars seem to capture the spirit the best. After all, you can't help
but smile when you see the styling that's unique to these first few
years. And while the design is endearing, this had a much larger
purpose. It's a featherweight machine that could even shed the roof
and windshield for racing. And while the black vinyl top might be
for temporary use, it looks good as it coordinates with the racing
stripes. The green on this one certainly isn't British Racing
Green. Instead it's a more modern Mopar color, but it feels like it
fits here as part of the tradition of bold colors on British
roadsters.
If you love the way the black roof looks against the green paint,
then you'll love the black interior, too. There are nice details,
like the added comfort from the high-back bucket seats that also
have the sporty vented pattern. While fashionable, we all really
know the real purpose is to be a driver-focused machine. That's why
you get a grippy wood-rimmed steering wheel that makes it easy to
see the clear Smiths speedometer. And this one doesn't need a
center console because your right hand rests perfectly and
naturally on the gearshift.
The hood now hinges at the front for better access to the motor.
This is a good thing, because it really gives everyone a chance to
see the level of detail, too. It's the correct 948cc unit, but
there have also been a bunch of upgrades. It includes a Weber
carburetor, Pierce intake, Flame Thrower ignition, Cobalt wires,
and an aluminum radiator. It helps give a little extra pep to the
engine, but really, the Sprite's biggest performance advantage has
always been its light weight. Also, part of the appeal is that it
takes plenty of driver input from the four-speed manual
transmission to get the most out of this mighty little motor. So
you'll be particularly happy to know the gearbox was replaced
earlier in 2020. The last key to the Sprite being so good on the
backroads is its unibody construction. It was revolutionary for a
road car at the time, and it keeps the featherweight body nice and
stiff in the turns
Complete with build receipts, you can already tell from the photos
that everything (including the undercarriage) was cared for
correctly on this Healey. So when it has this quality feel, all you
have to do to enjoy it is be the first one here to snap it up. Call
today!!!
