1959 Austin Healey Sprite MK1

The antithesis to your stereotypical American open-topped sports car, the Austin-Healey Sprite was conceived in Britain for UK roads and drivers. With a production run spanning from 1958 to 1971 over four series (known as the Mark I, II, III, and IV), it was positioned as a low-cost yet fun car that could be easily maintained. Of course, Sprites made it to many other countries, including Stateside, as evidenced by this 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite that we're selling right now. It's received a new Oselli 1275cc Inline-4 engine with just 2,000 miles on it and is your ideal weekend toy.

Exterior and Interior

Measuring just 137 inches from tip to tail, this 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite is far more than just a friendly face. Those lovable bug-eyed or frog-eyed headlamps are the essence of the car's character, with its eager-mouthed, smiling grille right beneath, channeling air for the small but plucky motor to breathe and be cooled by. This car is said to come with various weather protection options that include two bikini tops, a tonneau top, and a full top with side curtains. At the rear, you'll find a kicked-up stance and a jaunty exhaust pipe for one last sign of joie de vivre. We've also got a lovely set of period alloys to admire. Inside, don't expect dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, and powered this-and-that. No, this 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite is the definition of digital detox. Need to charge your phone? Forget it. There isn't even a place to keep your phone, so keep it in your pocket or, better still, at home. Instead, you get two low-backed seats, three pedals, a sporty steering wheel, a gear lever, three pedals, and some beautiful analog Smiths gauges. This is the standard feature set of a Sprite. We also observe what appears to be a heater for keeping you warm during those brisk early morning drives.

Engine

Originally, a Mark I Sprite like this 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite would have seen a 948cc in-line 4-cylinder engine powering it, with all of 43hp from the factory. However, as we've told you, this car has received a new engine. The new engine is a larger 1,275cc unit that's most likely from a Mark IV car and was rated at 65hp when new. Drive goes to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. This car also has front disc brakes, an aluminum radiator, a racing cam, and electronic ignition. What are you waiting for? Buy this car and experience true motoring nirvana in its rawest form. It's far more pleasing to wring out a small engine than it is a constantly corral a large one, after all.