The 1959 Austin-Healey "Bugeye" Sprite Mk I offered here is
finished in its factory-correct Cherry Red exterior with matching
Red interior and a freshly fitted black folding top. According to
the accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate,
Car No. AN5L18700 was completed at the Abingdon factory on June 11,
1959, and dispatched later that month to a dealer in Chicago,
Illinois.
While the original selling dealer is not recorded, the Sprite's
ownership history has been documented since 1960, when it was
purchased by its second owner from a used car lot. In 1963, that
second owner became the brother-in-law of the current owner,
keeping the car in the same family for an astonishing 65 years.
Today it remains registered on its 1967 Missouri title, a
remarkable time capsule of its history. The present owner and her
late husband acquired the Sprite in September 1965, and it has been
with them ever since.
Always garaged and enjoyed sparingly as a "fun" weekend car, the
Sprite underwent a sympathetic restoration in the 1990s. At that
time it received a fresh coat of Cherry Red paint and a completely
renewed Red interior, including new upholstery and carpets. From
the 1980s through the 2010s, the car was regularly serviced by
noted British car specialist John Mangles, ensuring it remained
mechanically sound.
When the car arrived at IT'S ALIVE! in late 2024, it had not been
started in nearly a decade, though it clearly reflected a lifetime
of attentive care. The fuel tank was removed, cleaned, lined, and
reinstalled with a new sending unit. A full rear brake service was
completed, engine mounts were replaced, and a leaking heater
control valve was renewed. With minor tuning, the Sprite returned
to the road under its own power before year's end. Most recently,
IT'S ALIVE! installed a brand-new vinyl convertible top prior to
offering the car on consignment.
Now presented on the open market for the first time in 66 years,
this remarkable Sprite embodies all the hallmarks of a cherished
family heirloom. Both its numbers-matching 948cc Austin A-series
engine and original body tub confirm its authenticity as it left
Abingdon in June 1959.
IT'S ALIVE! is proud to offer this exceptionally well-preserved
example of one of Britain's most charming sports cars. To learn
more about acquiring this special Austin-Healey, please call
314-710-6600 ext. 140 or email
[email protected].
