AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(23)

Auction Ended:

Thursday, 11 August, 2022 - 16:00

Lot Status:

Sold

1958 Austin-Healey Sprite

The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car produced in the UK from 1958 until 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, two days after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven. The Sprite was designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at the MG factory at Abingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down.

The Sprite quickly became affectionately known as the 'frogeye' in the UK and the 'bugeye' in the US, because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet. The car's designers had intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use, but cost cutting by BMC led to the flip-up mechanism being deleted and the headlights were simply fixed in a permanently upright position. This is what gave the car its most distinctive feature and appeal as a result of its cute appearance. The body was styled by Gerry Coker, with subsequent alterations by Les Ireland following Coker's emigration to the US in 1957. A total of 48 987 'frogeye' Sprites were made.

This Example

Description by seller:

I acquired the car after the death of the original owner and a restoration was done years ago, including a glass fibre frogeye aftermarket bonnet, new imported seat cushions and upholstery along with new carpets, a luggage rack, a Moto Lita wood rim steering wheel and chromed exterior rear-view mirror. Since then, the car has only done 220 miles and has spent many years in storage. New wheel cylinders and a re-sleeved master cylinder have also been installed, as well as a rebuilt gearbox due the original having a noisy first gear.

The car is in very good condition and runs well. The original engine, chassis number and factory body tag are still in place and, unusually for a car of this age, it still has its original hub caps.

The car comes with an original jack, a set of aluminium side screens, a new spare wheel, an original driver's handbook, a tonneau cover and a hood frame. There is no soft top hood.

Papers are in order (status reflects 'Built-up/opgebou') and licensed to date.

Available to view by appointment in Johannesburg.

Reminders to bidders:

A buyer's premium of 5% (which includes VAT) for cars and bikes applies.

The minimum buyer's premium is R5 000 incl. VAT for cars and bikes (eg. if R50 000 is bid, buyer's premium = R5 000 and total cost = R55 000).

The maximum buyer's premium is capped at R100 000 incl. VAT for cars and bikes (eg. if R3 000 000 is bid, buyer's premium = R100 000 and total cost = R3 100 000).

Classic Car Africa aims to present each lot as accurately as possible but it is the responsibility of the bidder to be 100% satisfied with the condition of the lot before placing a bid.

Lot Status


Sold

Special Features


Condition rating: 118/140

Quick Facts


Reference: LOT-000258
Seller: Private
Year: 1958
Manufacturer: Austin-Healey
Model: Sprite
Derivative: Mk1
Service History: Partial
Mileage: 220 Miles
Engine Size: 948
Engine Type: 4-cylinder overhead valve
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: 4 Manual
Layout: Front engine - rear-wheel drive
Power Output: 42 BHP
Exterior: BR Green
Interior: Black

Photo Gallery

AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(23)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(22)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(21)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(20)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(19)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(18)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(17)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(16)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(15)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Car(24)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(57)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(56)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(55)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(54)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(53)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(52)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(51)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(50)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(49)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(48)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(47)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(46)
AH Sprite Randall Everson Interior(45)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (12)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (11)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (10)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (9)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (8)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (7)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (6)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (5)
AH Sprite Randall Everson engine (4)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (75)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (74)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (73)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (72)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (71)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (70)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (69)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (68)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (67)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (66)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (65)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (64)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (63)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (62)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (61)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (60)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (59)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (58)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (57)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (56)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (54)
AH Sprite Randall Everson details (53)
AH Sprite Randall Pg 1
AH Sprite Randall Pg 2
AH Sprite Randall Pg 3
AH Sprite Randall Pg 4
AH Sprite Randall Pg 5
AH Sprite Randall Pg 6
AH Sprite Randall Pg 7

Bidding

Bidding Information - 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite

Estimated Price Range:

R 140,000.00 - R 160,000.00

Lot Status:

Sold

Total Bids:

8

Time Left:

Closed

Start Date:

Thursday, 04 August, 2022 - 06:00

End Date:

Thursday, 11 August, 2022 - 16:00


Comments

Maxspeed67
Maxspeed67
1 year ago

Can you supply a picture of Rc1 please, and pictures of tag on car and engine Kind regards


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