Introduced in 1958, the Sprite was a completely new kind of Austin-Healey. Compared to the “big” Healeys of the period, the new Sprite was tiny, maneuverable, and despite its diminutive engine, remarkably quick. Rack-and-pinion steering gave the car a nimble and direct feel. Regardless of what the stopwatch said, it was certainly fun to drive, and any speed at all seemed fast – giving both car and driver an exhilarating ride.

At least as notable as its chassis dynamics, the car’s styling turned heads as well. Its rather unconventional headlight placement earned the car the nickname “bugeye” in the U.S., and “frogeye” at home. Whatever you called it, the Sprite was cute, and few women could resist the car – or, perhaps, its driver!

The Sprite was also one of the first cars to feature a complete, tilting front end, a remarkable innovation that exposed the running gear thoroughly, making service a simple matter. There were few frills on a Sprite, but at the price, few cared. They were fun, inexpensive, and offered the exhilaration that comes only from a top down drive on a warm spring morning.

The example offered here has been the subject of a comprehensive frame-off restoration. It runs with a 948-cc, 43-hp inline four-cylinder engine with twin carbs and a four-speed manual transmission. Among the equipment is Smiths instrumentation, seatbelts, factory steel wheels with center caps and tasteful Dunlop whitewall tires. Properly set up these cars can run and drive “like a little jewel”, and should provide years of carefree and trouble-free open-air British motoring for its new owner.