Model Page
Austin Healey Sprite Mk I
Production Run: |
38,999 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1958 - 1961 |
Engine: |
948cc A Series In Line Four Cylinder |
Built: |
Abingdon (UK) |
0-60: |
20.5 Secs |
Max Speed: |
83 Mph |
Designed by Donald Healey, the Austin Healey Sprite was a low cost roadster produced in partnership with the British Motor Company (BMC). Affectionately known as the “Frogeye” the Mk 1 was the first mass manufactured sports car to use integrated construction, the vehicle was in production between 1958 and 1961 during which time nearly 39,000 vehicles rolled off the production line.
Austin Healey Sprite MK 1
Healey had been collaborating with BMC since 1952 when Leonard Lord of Austin and Donald Healey signed an agreement to produce a range of vehicles combining the strengths of both corporations. Austin had desires to introduce a low cost, two door sport car to fill the void left by the pre war Austin Seven sports car range. Wishing to keep development costs down the new vehicle would have to use as many existing components as possible from the BMC parts bin.
The styling of the vehicle was initially undertaken by Gerry Coker and completed by Les Ireland, initially the vehicle was destined to have identical panels front in an attempt to minimise development cost however as studies continued this proved impractical and forced the redesign of the vehicle. The famous bonnet mounted front headlights that gave rise to the vehicles nickname may never have been as first designs saw fit to integrate the front headlights into the bonnet installed with a pop up mechanism in a similar fashion to what could be found several decades later with the Porsche 928. This pop up headlamp arrangement was dropped after feasibility studies found that manufacture of such a mechanism within the desired budget and to a satisfactory reliability standard was not possible.
Austin Healey Sprite MK 1 Interior
The swept, flowing lines were unspoilt perfect for the small vehicle and gave a distinctive look and appealed to a wide audience. The front wings and bonnet were a single unit and hinged to allow terrific access to engine bay for maintenance work, at the rear there was no boot lid, instead occupants accessed the luggage compartment by tilting the seats forward revealing the storage area. The Sprite did not come equipped with door handles instead owners had to reach inside the cabin to release the doors also of note was the total lack of door locks, security not being a particularly pressing requirement at the time.
The Austin Healey Sprite was the first mass produced sports car to use and integrated construction technique, in a similar arrangement to that introduced on the Jaguar D type the body panels form the structure of the vehicle. The construction cannot be called a true monocoque due to the front chassis legs that projected forward from the passenger compartment.
Austin Healey Sprite MK 1 Engine Bay
The engine fitted to the vehicle was Austin’s A-Series engine (9CC) taken from the A35, for use in the new application the engine was modified with up-rated, stronger bearing, stronger valves and springs. The A series unit was upgraded through the installation of twin 1 1/8th inch SU Carburettors in this form the power plant generated 43 bhp @ 5,200 rpm and 52 lb/ft @ 3,300 rpm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four speed manual gearbox that did not include synchromesh on first gear. A Sprite was tested by Motor Magazine in 1958 who timed the car 0-60 Mph in 20.5 seconds going on to achieve a top speed of 83 Mph, whilst not providing mind blowing performance by today’s standard the vehicle was relatively competitive at the time of introduction.
Utilising as many parts as possible from the BMC parts bin to minimise development costs the suspension was sourced from the Austin A35 and comprised of coil springs with Armstrong level shock absorbers and wishbones, at the rear the axle was sprung by cantilever quarter elliptic leaf springs with lever arm shock absorbers. Steering was taken care of through the rack and pinion unit from the A35 requiring 2.5 turns lock to lock and gave the car a turning circle of only 9.8 meters. Drum brakes were fitted front and rear and provided more than adequate stopping ability for the 664kg vehicle.
The vehicle was due to be manufactured at Austin’s facility in Longbridge, however the design of the Sprite necessitated that the power train be fitted from above the vehicle – this was not possible at Longbridge so production was shifted to the MG factory at Abingdon.
Austin Healey Sprite MK 1
The Austin Healey Sprite was released in May 1958 and went on sale at a price of £669, the vehicle was rather basic in base trim – even bumpers were an optional extra. The model proved successful for both BMC and Donald Healey, each car sold earning a royalty payment to the Healey Motor company, nearly 39,000 vehicles being manufactured before the vehicle was superseded by the heavier, better equipped Mk 2 in 1961.
Today the vehicles are highly sought after , project Frogeye Sprites can be found for £1,500 with the best examples approaching £8,000. With simple mechanicals and a readily available supply of spares the car is one that can be kept on the road easily by anyone with rudimentary mechanical skills.
The Facts
Engine: |
Austin A Series 4 Cylinder |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
948cc |
Valves: |
8 |
Compression Ratio: |
8.3:1 |
Fuel System: |
2 x 1 1/8th SU Carburettors |
Maximum Power: |
43 bhp @5,200 rpm |
Maximum Torque: |
52ft.lb @ 3,300 rpm |
Transmission: |
4 Speed Manual |
Top Gear: |
- |
Brakes: |
Drums Front / Drums Rear |
Kerb Weight: |
664 Kg |
Max Speed: |
83 Mph |
0-60: |
20.5 Secs |
