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Austin-Healey Sprite — 1958

An early Swedish-sold Frogeye with few owners. A small, lively fellow with a sharper engine and reliable additional equipment.

Tore Thallaug
Inspector
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Ida Johansen
Case manager
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"This little sports car spreads joy and offers a fresh nostalgic kick. Design, execution, condition, and performance in symbiosis - yearning for winding country roads, throttle input, steering maneuvers with a cap and driving gloves on. This is fun..."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
ENDED
141 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
16802
BROMMA
RESERVE PRICE
Not reached
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Tore Thallaug
Inspector
Send message
Ida Johansen
Case manager
Send message

"This little sports car spreads joy and offers a fresh nostalgic kick. Design, execution, condition, and performance in symbiosis - yearning for winding country roads, throttle input, steering maneuvers with a cap and driving gloves on. This is fun..."

Description

This vehicle was sold new by Ostermans in Stockholm to a customer in Luleå and reportedly has the second oldest chassis number in Sweden, coming from the first production series. It spent over 50 years in Norrbotten before an enthusiast in Stockholm acquired the car. As a former motorcycle rider and racer, he enjoys speed and wind, which is why the Frogeye received an engine prepped by Jana Motor and dyno-tested to 87 hp at Lundblads. It was bored out to 1283 cc, equipped with Weber carburator, an oil cooler, reinforced "ribbed gearbox", extractor manifold, and a 2-inch exhaust system, as well as front disc brakes. The instruments are original and were restored by Jige. After the drivetrain renovation, the car has only driven 80 kilometers.

All original parts are included, including the original engine, an additional extra engine (renovated), an extra block, and a gearbox. In addition, a number of boxes with new and used parts are included. Among these is a sought-after original accessory steering wheel. Documents, receipts, books, and other literature are also included.

Technical data

  • Year
    1958/1958 
  • Registration date
    1958-01-01 
  • Mileage
     
  • Kw / hp
    35 / 48 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    Red 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Starts easily and runs nice. Everything works well. Newer battery. Not checked on a lift, but from what could be seen, the car appears to be in fine condition underneath.

  • Interior condition:

    Reupholstered seats in red vinyl with white piping. Leather-covered steering wheel, dashboard reupholstered, and instruments renovated. Newer fabric carpets.

  • Exterior condition:

    Repainted many years ago in a slightly darker red shade. There are small scratches, chips, dents, and stone chips. Original sheet metal hood, not an optimal fit, characteristic of cars from the early production. Minilite wheels in fine condition and nice Falken tires, original steel wheels are included. Glass, chrome, and rubber in good condition, with a dent in the grille - a new one is included. Lucas extra lights. Good convertible top frame, convertible top, and newer tonneau cover. Original detachable side windows in fine condition.

  • General condition:

    A delightful and intriguing classic with Swedish history, and a cult vehicle from the era of small, cheeky British sports cars. The sensation of speed and breeze is palpable, and with a significant increase in power and improved characteristics, this is a pleasure machine. Whether you're sitting in it and driving or watching it zoom by, it's sure to bring a smile to your face.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2007-06-30
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1958-01-01 (typbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1958-01-01
Senast godkända besiktning: 2013-08-12
Besiktigad tom: 2015-08-31
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 6

Facts about the model

The Donald Healey Motor Company was tasked by BMC (British Motor Corporation) to design a small, affordable sports car in the latter half of the 1950s. After the world war and a challenging economic climate, the economy gradually began to improve, making it possible for "ordinary people" to afford a car. Eventually, people could even consider having a small second car for leisure. This increased the demand for small, spirited sports cars, and the bold little car from BMC and Austin hit the mark perfectly. It was primarily based on standard components. The engine chosen was the proven 948cc unit with overhead valves, also used in the Austin A30/35. The front suspension was also sourced from these models. With twin SU carburetors, the car's power was boosted to 42.5 horsepower. Rack and pinion steering and a four-speed gearbox gave it a sporty demeanor. Other than that, it featured standard components without any frills. There were no door handles, a simple convertible top frame, detachable side windows, and bumpers and heating were optional extras. The model was named the Austin-Healey Sprite. Despite its simplicity and small engine, it turned out to be quite zippy. Construction of the small sports car began in March 1958, and it was unveiled to the motoring press in May of the same year, during the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The reception was very positive. It was a bold little car that, with its headlights, gained a distinctive look. The original plan was for the headlights to be retractable into the hood, but this proved too costly, so they remained fixed in the up position. The model was quickly nicknamed the Frogeye.

It was manufactured at MG in Abingdon, and eventually, a sister model known as the Midget, in MG attire, was introduced, though this was when the Mk II model came out in 1961. That's when the special bonnet and the simple rear end without a trunk lid disappeared.

9,000 cars were built in the first model year of 1958, and in total, just over 50,000 Austin-Healey Sprite MK I, the beloved Frogeye, were produced.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Bromma

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Tore Thallaug
+46 705 90 23 65
tore@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2024-03-21.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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