Austin Healey Sprite MK1

Border Reivers are delighted to offer this properly sorted Austin Healey MK1 Sprite from 1959 perhaps better known in the UK as a Frogeye Sprite or Bugeye if your American.

Preservation works

The car is a USA (California) reimport. The dry State life it had, was hugely obvious when work started as almost none of the dreaded rust worm.

A complete front to rear restoration was completed around.

An independent valuation was carried out in April 2018 at £30,000

The body / chassis: The body, chassis was in amazingly good condition with corrosion limited only too ,the very bottom of the A posts and the rear bottom parts of the back wings behind the wheels.

These minor welds were completed. The battery, heater tray was missing. A new replacement was sourced and, after much correction, was welded in place.

The bodywork was prepared and bonnet was sent for sand blasting. On return the whole car was painted using Rust Busters paint system of FE123, epoxy primer 121 and epoxy mastic 421.

The car was completed in Old English White as per the Heritage Certificate. Void areas and spaces were rust inhibited using Dinitrol 4521. Floors, sills inner and outer, spring hangars, wings, inner outer, are original.

Engine gearbox differential: The car was supplied as a rolling chassis. So the car benefits from the fitting of the later 1275cc engine. A full strip and restoration was completed. The cylinder head was treated to hard exhaust valve seats for unleaded fuel, the inlet and exhaust tracts were gas flowed in accordance with Vizzard. The rocker shaft was renewed the rockers had new bushes fitted as were the valves and springs. The rebuild was carried out using new rings, new shells, new oil pump, new 266 camshaft, new cam bearings and new Iskiderian cam followers. Particular attention was paid to the rear scroll back which was unmarked and in as factory condition. The camshaft gives good midrange torque as well as a good increase in overall power while maintaining real world drivability. The gearbox used is the 5 speed type 9. Frontline’s bell housing kit is used with thrust release ball race for the up rated clutch and new prop shaft.

The differential supplied originally was retained being standard, allowing 3.5k rpm cruising at 70mph on the motorway. New seals brake shoes pads fitted throughout.

Front Suspension: Front brakes were up rated to discs. New discs pads, hoses, cunifer pipes also fitted, as was refurbished rack, new uprights and track rod ends.

New Minilite style sport wheels and Toyo tyres completed the running gear.

Trim: New tonneau cover and hood were purchased and fitted colours as the Heritage Certificate. The side screens are Weathershield with new windows and rubber seals. Seats, carpets and trim panels are new finished in red with white piping as the Heritage Certificate.

The original windscreen is retained complete with Santa Barbara University sticker. The triplex logo still has the 1959 date etched. The seals are new, the hockey sticks are polished.

Electrics: A new wiring loom was installed. The Lucas dynamo was refurbished complete with new gear drive to tachco. The Lucas generator was also refurbished. Negative earth is used. An Autospark electronic ignition fitment replaces the points and condenser. A resettable inertia trip is fitted to ensure that the electric fuel pump is switch off in the event of an accident.

Fuel System: A new galvanised fuel tank was fitted. An electric fuel pump was used over the mechanical item to enhance reliability.

Conclusion: The car, from completion, has covered approximately 2750 miles, drives really well returning around 40 to 45 mpg. Engine oil fully synthetic oil 20/25 Lucas is used. Evans coolant for life is used in the cooling system.

This is the best Mk1 in road spec I’ve ever driven.In better than new condition & if you add the hours up of the restoration/preservation it represents fantastic value & endless fun.

Comes with a large history file.

These cars are classed as historic making its road tax exempt, mot exempt & its also exempt from the London T-charge being a historic vehicle & from 7th Sept 2020, all historic vehicles will be exempt from the ULEZ. The 24/7 zone will have the same borders as the current Congestion Charge Zone.

Border Reivers :- We only buy cars, We would love to own.

If you have similar cars of the quality we sell, please call Tom

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