1969 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIV Convertible
In 1952 the automaker Austin, then part of the British Motor Corporation partnered with the Don Healey Motor company and began producing and selling 2 door roadsters and although small cars by today's standards, they were still out of the reach pricewise for most people. As a result, the diminutive Sprite was born. In subsequent years the car was refreshed with the Mark II in 1961, the Mark III in 1964, and the final iteration, the Mark IV in 1966 which lasted until 1971 after which it was sold as the MG Midget.
For consignment, a 1969 Austin-Healey MKIV Sprite convertible. It has a title verified 55,181 actual miles and was lovingly adored by the owner who bought it in honor of his mother who owned one when he was young. It required the owner to learn how to drive a stick shift and this special car is now available for the next caretaker, awaiting new stories to tell.
Exterior
Everyone knows they're cute and this little Sprite provides even more whimsy with its coat of Sunshine Yellow. The smiling face begins with a grinning egg crate grille behind a pair of yellow rally lights, and capped with the Austin-Healey winged logo. Rock guards protect the round headlights, while amber marking lights sit below and on the fender for side visibility. A luggage rack on the trunk lid provides some extra storage on a car with limited available space and the elongated tail lights occupy most of the rear fender, while reverse lights are inset on the rear fascia. Twin chrome exhaust tips protrude from under the car and provide a race inspired view for those behind. That's also the case with the roll bar which rises high above the seats and instills confidence in turns just in case the 13-inch wheels with 155/80R13 tires break loose with some spirited driving. Those black wheels have Austin-Healey engraved dog dish hubcaps and silver rims and despite the myriad of aftermarket wheels Austin owners might use, we like the stock look of the 'dogs. Imperfections are few but include some minor rust around bottom edges, more significant where the black filler coats the rear fender bottom, a few paint chips here and there, and an occasional touch up.
Interior
Clever door panels place the actuator towards the back of the door allowing passengers to reach over their shoulder to open the door and requires less hardware in the door to reach the latch. The black vinyl panels are in great shape and have a hinged front quarter window above. Black vinyl also covers the bucket seats with patterned inserts and added headrests. The rear deck is carpeted and houses a couple of speakers and the crossmembers of the roll bar. Straight ahead a banjo style steering wheel greets the driver and is emblazoned with the Austin-Healey crest in the middle, a combination of the Lord Austin family crest and the Austin or "noble" Coat of Arms. A 4 gauge pod is presented to the driver with the ever important tachometer and speedometer, the larger of the four. An original BMC AM radio is in the center just behind the floor mounted shifter and its yellow #1 billiard ball shift knob. Low pile black carpet completes the interior tour and we would categorize the interior as one that shows the cars has been driven and enjoyed and is entirely presentable.
Drivetrain
Driver condition under the hood as well where we find the 1275cc inline 4 cylinder engine rated at 62 horsepower. The bay, as well as the trunk, show some surface rust, pitted in some areas and ripe for encapsulation and paint. Meanwhile, the engine is fed by SU HS2 1 barrel carburetors and put into motion via a 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels and 4.22 gears. Disc brakes are found in the front and rums in the rear.
Undercarriage
The monocoque construction of the car results in some flat belly pans with the single exhaust running below them, straight back and entering a glasspack style muffler before passing the bumper with the twin tips. Coil springs are up front and leaf springs are out back. There are areas of surface rust, not unexpected and a few drops of oil on the oil pan, but generally clean and dry underneath and ready to hit the streets!
Drive-Ability
And hit the streets we did, or at least our short test loop where the little yellow roadster buzzed along, wringing out the 62 horsepower which feels adequate on a car that weighs around 1,500 pounds. What it lacks in overall power, it makes up for in fun and driving enjoyment. It's nimble, eager, and basically an overgrown go kart. The only thing that didn't work on the car was the heater blower.
Whether you have a collection, or a collection of one, a small British roadster has to be on your shopping list. Sprites and Austin-Healeys in general, have an enthusiastic following and clubs all over the country and one can only imagine the good times ahead with a group of fellow owners and events. You don't have to socialize to own this car but be prepared to make friends wherever you go!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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