Vehicle Description
1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII Convertible
"The "Bugeye" was a rather odd car to come from Donald Healey, a
former race driver and previous technical director at Triumph cars.
His own automobile firm that he started later was primarily known
for building larger, more powerful and far more costly sports
machines. Well before the time of the Sprite's 1958 introduction,
demand for Healeys was beyond Donald's production capabilities,
requiring him to use British Motor Corporation for production of
these "Austin-Healey" cars. Unlike the near Jag priced "big"
Austin-Healeys, the inexpensive Sprite made the sports car
experience accessible to virtually everyone." Thx
theautotopian.com
For consignment, a 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII convertible
showing 29,850 miles which are not actual. Owned by our consignor
for five years, this car was stripped to bare metal and repainted
and mechanicals and accessories were either rebuilt or replaced as
we'll learn. There are few cars that elicit more smiles than a
Bugeye Sprite, or as they're known in the UK, Frog Eyes.
Exterior
A true bugeye version with its upright headlights mounted into the
hood, and just below its perpetual smiling front grille framed by
mustache-like trim on top, its nose portrayed by the Austin-Healey
Sprite seal. British Racing Green suits this little car and is in
very good condition, perhaps the best we've seen on a Bugeye,
multiplying the show status of this car by several measures. Gaps
are well minded, and the new black canvas top and triple window are
in great shape. 13-inch Minilite wheels carry 175/70R13 tires and
look right at home on every corner. It is pure England out back
where diminutive tail lights top round red marker lights and
bumperette hang over a single stainless exhaust tip. We had to look
closely for imperfections and found some chips on the cowl at the
hood gap, a spot of waviness or extra paint, and some scratches on
a quarter panel.
Interior
Small doors open to reveal a black vinyl door card with map pocket
for both driver and navigator, each sitting in a bomber style black
bucket seat, vertically stitched with some patina creasing that
fits the motif and proves comfortable as we'll soon find out. A
proper wood rimmed steering wheel with sport spokes fronts a clean
flat dashboard housing tidy, chrome rimmed gauges, pull knobs, and
a cycloptic green light between the speedometer and tachometer. A
body colored base houses the wood knobbed shifter riding the center
hump, surrounded by vinyl trimmed black carpet that continues to
the barren but clean cargo area behind the seats. Finally,
Austin-Healey rubber mats fit like a glove on the floor and this
splendid little interior is as welcoming as bangers and mash on a
cold day.
Drivetrain
Rebuilt by PA British Car expert Jack Merryman, the clean engine
under the bonnet is a 1275cc inline 4-cylinder fueled by 2 SU
carburetors and backed by a 4-speed manual transmission that sends
power a short distance to the back where it meets 4.22 gears.
Brakes are configured as discs in front and drums in the rear. The
transmission and rear end were also rebuilt by Jack.
Undercarriage
With less than 100 miles since the rebuild, per our consignor, the
underside looks appropriately clean, and the British Racing Green
belly pans take up most of the real estate. We note a few drops of
oil on the pan and transmission and some of that has drifted onto
the center pan, creating a fine film, and note no rust of any kind.
The single exhaust shines with stainless perfection, as does the
muffler, just before sending a shiny pipe out into the world.
Suspension consists of coil springs up front and quarter elliptical
leaf springs out back.
Drive-Ability
Look, we know this is not a toy, but it does feel like a very fancy
go kart and is not much larger. This well sorted car provides a
wonderful and cozy cabin, and the steering wheel combined with the
shifter is a recipe for fun. We rev the four cylinder and roll the
13's onto the test loop where the car runs flawlessly, feeling
faster than it actually is due to its size and proximity to the
ground. And that same profile provides for great handling. As a
fresh restoration, all functions work as intended! While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
There was no shortage of gents racing British roadsters in the 50's
here in Pennsylvania and there are some legendary racers who got
their start on country roads in MG's and Austin-Healey's including
the more daring set who employed a bugeye to track. In the right
hands, they earned respect despite the wide eyed smirk on its face.
Our nice example here will be more at home at car shows, so get
ready for miles and piles of smiles, for there is a car that
mirrors the human look of joy quite like the Bugeye!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
