Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite.
The Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite in the most basic form of the classic British sports car, and despite its small package is a car that contains all of the elements that made British roadsters the sales leaders in the sports car market of the 1950s and 60s. It has two seats, an eager to rev spunky engine, a great gearbox with shifts that are as secure as a rifle bolt, strong and entertaining handling, fun and funky styling, and a true competition history that includes events like Sebring and Le Mans. It was developed by the legendary sports car pioneer Donald Healey, and the design was strong enough for the production of the Sprite, and later MG Midget, which was a rebadged Sprite, to continue until 1979.
The Bugeye Sprite was the first generation of the Sprite/Midget cars, and in a lot of ways it is the best. Most of these cars have had later higher output engines and more durable gearboxes installed, as well as having updates to brakes and suspension. This is a good thing usually as these later parts tend to improve a car that was already good.
The car featured in our AutoHunter Spotlight is described by the seller as a 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite which has had a restoration that was completed in 2022. In that process it received many new parts including the upholstery, a wiring harness, a windshield, and a fuel tank. It is powered by a rebuilt later model A-series engine, a 1275cc inline four-cylinder mated to a rebuilt manual four-speed ribbed-case transmission. Features include a heater, a wood rim steering wheel, manual front disc brakes, and custom slotted aluminum wheels. This Austin-Healey comes with a tonneau cover and a clear title.
In 2006 the reportedly rust-free body was refinished in Pacific Blue paint. Features include removed chrome blade bumpers, a stock mounted bonnet, a driver’s rear view mirror, a black vinyl cabin tonneau cover, and rear bumpers. Newly installed body features include a grille, a windshield, a fuel tank, and rear bumpers. The seller states that a touched up chip is present on the left door edge. Additionally, a convertible top and a top frame are not included with the vehicle. It rides on a set of aftermarket 13” x 5” slotted aluminum wheels wrapped in 185/60/R13 Signet radial tires. The seller adds that the tires have an older date code. The only change I would make to this car if I were to buy it would be to swap the wheels out for some Minilite replicas with period size tires.
The interior of this Sprite features black vinyl bucket seats surrounded by black vinyl door panels and trim. Features include a wood rim steering wheel, a floor-mounted manual transmission shifter, and a wood dashboard. Newly installed interior components include a wiring harness, the upholstery, and the wood steering wheel.
Under the hood is a rebuilt 1275cc inline four-cylinder mated to a rebuilt manual four-speed ribbed-case transmission. Engine bay features include a finned aluminum valve cover, dual carburetors, and chrome air cleaner housings. An oil change was completed in February 2024 and the fluids were topped off at that time. In 2021, the engine and transmission were rebuilt with new clutch hydraulics. In addition in 2021 the steering, suspension, shocks, the rear axle, brakes, and hydraulics were all rebuilt.
The Bugeye Sprite is the last common of all the Sprite/Midget cars and are the most fun to drive and to me the most iconic. These cars are as well thought of as cars such as the E-Type as they are an important part of British sports car history. The Bugeye was the first affordable sports car in the world and adding one to a collection will always make sense to me, especially as they are still a very affordable proposition both to buy and service.
The auction for this 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite ends Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
