1966 Austin Healey SPRITE

Convertible

1100

4 SPEED

HAN8158360

Clear

up for sale is a NO RESERVE little AUSTIN HEALEY sprite. the "sprite" kind of started it all in america as it was the low priced sports car,little brother to the famous AUSTIN HEALEY 3000. the first sprites were commonly known as "bug eye sprites" due to the add on headlights and small grills on the front end of the car.they kind of looked like "a bug's eyes".in england they were known as" frog eye's"--the original ones had a lift up front end (like an alligators mouth when it opens) they made the original sprites with a 998cc motor; side curtains instead of windows and a tiny engine that would be rushed at 60mph going down the highway. they were made from 1959 to 1961.then came the newer body design which you are currently looking at.the later ones had roll up windows,and a larger austin made engine of 1100 cc's. the 1100 took the car down interstates,as well as city driving easily. the austin company was known for its durable engines.the english taxi cabs were austin engines for decades.in around 1968 they again freshened up the original design and changed the interiors. gone was the leather,replaced by vinyl,and the dash was of a large padded type.gone was the simplicity of the original design. the 2nd generation cars deleted the lifting of the front end and replaced it with a conventional hood like on modern cars of today. it is easy to see the original gaps of the original lift front end,the 3rd generation of cars did the same.these models of sprites eventually led to MG making an exact clone of them and named it,the MG midget.MG changed each model when austin healey changed theirs. the last austin healey sprite was in 1969.in fact my college roommate bought a new one in 1969.when new i preferred the newer design interior and dash .now that time has passed and the dust of progress has cleared,the original designs bring a bigger smile on my face than the post 1968 cars.i personally bought a new MG MIDGET in 1971 while in college. with the new design the interior became cramped real quick. that ,along with the nostalgic design of the dash with leather seats was my motivation in buying this car for my step son.it has the old style interior with the modern convenience of roll up windows and a "usuable" engine. unfortunately my step son has just purchased a house in the country with acreage,and no time or place to restore this car in the near future.thus the reason for selling the little car.he will be working on his new property for at least another year and will be cash strapped. a bit about the car: it had its engine overhauled along with the transmission, brakes,etc to the total of approx $5,000 before it left BRITISH COLUMBIA. it was driven cross country running fine; carrying its owner to a new place to live in horse country(ocala, florida). the original owner became ill and gave the car to his best friend and his horse trainer. after a loss of storage he sold the car to me.he said he would never get around to restoring the car.--the negatives of the car first: it will need old gas drained and a new battery,as it has been sitting for a couple of years. the air cleaners are off the car(in the trunk) from trying to ignite the old stale gas.the original air cleaners are still with the car.there is also a small amount of rust in the front of the hood,and on the side of the engine compartment where the hood used to hinge up when they were they original bug eye design.they all gathered water there and eventually rust. it is easily fixed and in no way harms the structural integrity of the car. the hood hinges need oil(easily fixed with wd-40). the interior is original and complete on the drivers seat only there is a sewn seam that the stitching has failed on,under your thigh rearward from the drivers knee(drivers seat only) there is NO DAMAGE to the original leather. a upholstery man could easily re-sew the seam and it is hard to believe the condition of the original leather,making me believe the odometer mileage of 34,000,is correct. the original leather was usually exposed to alot of sunlight and cracked and heavy use of it through the years made the original leather junk 30 years ago.not so in this car.also the car was only driven on sunny days it was never subjected to salt roads in the winter. the cars frame is in nice shape so i can believe that is correct. the carpet is so so--but easily replaced with modern carpet kits better than new from "moss motors". the top will also need replaced or new plastic clear windows re sewn into it. the GOOD: --the body is basically sound,and could be driven the way it is; as it is not really that bad cosmetically. a good machine buffing of the paint will bring back the original gloss of it as well; untill you would have time and cash to repaint it. the tires are all good and everything is stock, as it left the factory in england 46 years ago.(the way you want to find these cars).the engines are very easy to work on and it would be very easy to get this car on the road.i have not tried to do anything with it ;but as an experienced collector of these cars, it would be an easy task.it is also THE MOST HANDSOME AND MOST USUSABLE OF ALL THE 2nd generation AUSTIN HEALY DESIGNS. the roll up windows are a blessing compared to the old side curtain models. the original style dash (as i have stated already) is rarely seen anymore and quite attractive. you can find numerous MG MIDGETS AND SOMETIMES LATER MODEL SPRITES BUT SELDOM DO YOU EVER FIND AN EARLY 60'S SPRITE IN ORIGINAL CONDITION,FOR A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE. i am starting off this auction for less than this car could be parted out for,as these engines will bring $600-$1,000 plus the transmission, gauges, body panels,top frame, doors,wheels brakes,radiator,etc,etc,etc would easily surpass$2500 in parts alone!!i am starting this car off at $1400 and with a NO RESERVE,meaning top bidder owns it,OR A BUY IT NOW HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR $1700,in case the would be buyer doesn't want to take a chance on loosing the car to a last minute BIDDER( due to an ultra fast dsl connection when bidding)( which has happened to me)of course the car is sold as is,but i feel the car could be back on the road within a day of tinkering with a new battery and the cleaning of old fuel.today fuel only last about 90 days or less.i have been around these cars since i was 15 years old and i am 61 now so i am quite familiar with a difference between a "good" and "bad" car. if an out of state buyer buys it; i can put you with inexpensive shippers to transport to you. GOOD LUCK bidding as someone is going to get a cheap toy to play with!--any questions call: 352-598-7431 weekdays or evening&weekends 352-595-5079 my name is terry