Description

1958 Austin Healey Sprite Mk1

Lovely original Frogeye with steel bonnet and 948cc engine; nice history file and ready to go

The Heritage Certificate lists VOT 428's first owner as Miss Charlton of Camberley Surrey. The car was despatched in mid May 1959 to the supplying dealer Swain and Jones Ltd of Farnham, painted Cherry Red as a UK Home Market car. Extras included a heater, rev counter and front bumpers.

The accompanying buff logbook shows a subsequent string of owners - more than the five previous keepers noted on the V5c that is for sure, which charts its history through the '60s and '70s.  

A purchase invoice to Mr Godden in 2005 shows he paid £7,250 for the car, following which a comprehensive overhaul commenced according to the invoices on file. This included a new clutch, ring gear, timing gears and chain as well as a spin-on oil filter conversion and new +060" pistons.

In 2011 it was given a brake overhaul with new cylinders and shoes etc and at some point, a set of seat belts have been added. He also invested in a British Leyland workshop manual and a Haynes manual covering Midgets and Sprites to assist with the work.

Our vendor purchased the car from him in 2012 and has greatly enjoyed it since. He has further improved and maintained the car, ensuring that its appealing originality has been retained. In 2018 a new pair of rear 1/4 elliptic springs were fitted, a process costing over £500. He reports that all the instruments work bar the fuel gauge - the dual-gauge having been rebuilt by Speedy Cables back in 2012.

The file includes 26 old MOTs indicating regular use, its most recent MOT expiring in 2019 and a driver's handbook.

Retaining its all-steel construction and its very nicely patinated original interior, the hood and side screens are present.

The vendor has enjoyed using it - a video of him ascending the Kop Hillclimb can be seen on the following link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q7Lr4F17Oo

This unusually original Frogeye looks great fun and surely must be better than money in the bank...

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com