1966 Austin Healey Sprite Convertible
In 1952 a number of British car makers, including Austin, Morris, Wolseley, Riley, and MG, were merged together to form the British Motor Corporation. This merger pretty much ensured the survival of a number of British car names that would otherwise have quietly disappeared but also came at the cost of a merging not only of the companies, but also of designs. This essentially meant that BMC would make a number of pretty much identical models but put different name badges on them along with different grilles and trim, thus rationalizing production and new model development costs. It was into this environment that the Austin-Healey Sprite was created, but in its first iteration it was created as a unique model, only to be "badge engineered" for the Mark II and subsequent models. It was this partnership that paved the way for the creation of the smaller and much cheaper Austin-Healey Sprite.
For consignment, a 1966 version of the Austin Healey Sprite. As you can see visually it is the very close cousin of the MG midget. This Sprite has been worked a bit with some improvements including the addition of a roll bar, new leaf springs, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses and lines, stainless exhaust new water pump, finned aluminum valve cover, Vredestein tires, a larger than stock engine, powder coated wheels and it will come with come new carpet ready for installation.
Exterior
This mini me version has shiny Colonial White paint on it's all steel exterior. It presents with little to no rust with slight bubbles on some of the lowers particularly aft of the rear wheel wells. Some metal caulk can be seen on the seams between the firewall pillars and the hood and door seams. This small sports car has nice lines with rounded front fenders topped with a single circular chrome bezel headlight and a gracefully curving hood between these with a simple horizontal grille in front. A chrome edged windscreen protects the passenger compartment, and the cars doors are minding their gaps in fair form. The back of the car has rounded over rear quarter tops and angled rearward edges where the tail lights are housed. Bumpers for the front and rear are shiny with no rust and are in dimple free condition. A roll bar is noted, and the car is absent its convertible top and frame. Cream colored steel slotted wheels, which have been powder coated, are wrapped with 165HR13 Vredestein tires. The wheels have a central chrome flat moon cap.
Interior
Moving inside, the door panels are covered in black smooth padded vinyl and have some chromed cranks, an inserted actuator and a chrome framed central inset panel, also black vinyl. Low back bomber style buckets are the dual seats under the shadow of the roll bar. The central hump rolls through the buckets and hoses the shift lever. The dash configuration shows an oval panel behind the steering wheel and this panel has 2 larger circular gauges on either edge, a speedo and a tach. The central dash houses a few other circular smaller gauges and a few extra pulls and buttons. Black carpeting floods the floors and appears in good condition with just a few wrinkles. Behind the bomber buckets is a black carpeted storage area, which is under the roll bar.
Drivetrain
Under the bonnet sits a very nicely restored 1275cc inline 4 cylinder engine. It has a new painted green block, new yellow spark wiring, and a cast polished aluminum ribbed valve covering. Two Su carburetors, (HS2's), are on the side and an original 4-speed manual transmission is on back. The rear axle weighs in at 4.22 ratio. The engine bay is white and appears to have been sprayed with a rattle can. We note the electrics are like new and a new water pump and reconditioned radiator are seen in front.
Undercarriage
Nicely preserved and rust free, we can see a new stainless steel exhaust which takes spent gasses from the Jethot coated header now on the engine. The axles and suspension appear to have been recently painted black and the floorpans show some patina but no rust. The underside of the engine has slight blowback but it appears to be currently drip free, so it may have been from a pre-upgrade situation which caused this. For the suspension, in are front independent coil springs and for the rear leaf springs. Braking is front disc and rear drums. All new brake lines and hoses have been put in.
Drive-Ability
The car started right up and off to the test track I went for a cracking good time. Bias free panic stopping, (usually the first thing I check!), and good smooth acceleration from the twin Su's was noted. Handling was snappy and the car drives very smoothly. With no top it can get a bit cold this time of year but it was still fun. I noticed the tachometer was a bit jumpy but all other functions were working at the time of the drive.
A nice example, with some extra upgrades recently performed and now you can snag a great example from 1966 but it does not look that old. A snappy little sports car that will be a performer and certainly win at a very economical level. Have a tool and you'll be convinced too!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
