For Sale: 1963 Austin-Healey Sprite in Concord, North Carolina

It's time to enjoy a car for the purists. This 1963 Austin Healey Sprite is an iconic classic British drop-top, and this one has been given long-term care.

This is the best Healey Sprite for certain people. The second-generation styling was a nice rework to a more conventional body, but the owner could still remove the roof and the windshield to shed weight for racing. The end product was a roadster that was less mainstream (and rarer) than its MG relative, but a less polarizing design than the Mk I's "frogeye" look. We're told this one spent a good number of decades under the same owner, and it was even given a restoration. You can see the care and investment in the way the vibrant red shines and the panels. It has a great style with a good-looking vinyl roof, classic AH hub caps, and a rear luggage rack (always fun on a European car.) And the front bumper was removed and just the protective overriders remain for a distinctively sporty touch. Overall, you will find signs of enjoyment, because after all, these cars were made to be driven. But what will really impress is the comprehensive level of quality care.

The interior continues the clean look of a restored and respected car. The dual bucket seats are there to provide some individual comfort. There's even an AM/FM/CD stereo w/USB insert for passenger entertainment. But we all know this is really a driver-focused roadster. That's why you get a no-nonsense grippy steering wheel, and beyond that are clear Smiths gauges with clearly marked tach. This one doesn't need a center console because your right hand rests perfectly and naturally on the gearshift.

The engine bay has the clean and classic kind of style that really gets it ready to be shown off. You can tell there were investments here to keep the sharp look of stock all these decades later. And good investments also mean a strong-running powerhouse. The 948cc four-cylinder motor certainly is not the largest around. Instead, the Sprite uses its light weight to live up to its name. There is just something absolutely fun of taking firm control with the four-speed manual transmission and piloting this nimble machine around the corners. You even have front disc brakes for firm stopping power.

Vintage, attractive, and absolutely fun, this is the kind of well-presented British classic we all want. So you know you need to hurry on this deal. Call now!