1964 Austin-Healey Sprite

In 1961 Donald Healey redesigned the frog-eye Sprite into the Mk II. It would be a twin to the MG Midget to be built alongside it. At £689 The new Sprite was boxier than the frog-eye, with headlights in straight-through wings, a normal front-opening bonnet, a full-width mesh grille, and an opening boot. But the side-curtains remained, and the top still had to be dismantled and stored in the boot. The Sprite Mk II gained front disc brakes, and the 948cc engine was bumped to 46bhp. In late 1962, engine size was increased to 1,098cc, and power went up to 56bhp, to counter the threat of the Triumph Spitfire. Wire wheels were offered as well. In all, and 31,665 Mk II Sprites were built.

The Mk III of late 1964 was basically a 1965 model. It gained a curved windshield, and roll-up side windows with opening vents. The dash was redesigned and options included a tonneau cover and heater. Rear springs were extended to be semi-elliptic, engine power rose to 59bhp and top speed to 101 mph. A total of 25,905 Mk IIIs were sold.

The final version of the Austin-Healey Sprite was the Mk IV, which was introduced in 1966, and many people view this version as the model's apex. It used a detuned version of the 1,275cc Mini Cooper S motor, delivering 65bhp and 0-60 mph dropped to 12.3 seconds. Tuning possibilities can be readily appreciated. The Sprite finally received a fold-down top, and American models got dual circuit brakes in 1967.

The US market asserted itself in 1968 with emissions-restricted engines and a padded dash, which reduced interior space. Updates in 1969 included negative ground electrics, Rostyle steel wheels, side marker lights, and black sills. There were 22,790 Mk IV Sprites built, but in 1971 British Leyland ended its association with Donald Healey, so the last 1,022 cars were sold simply as Austin Sprites. The MG Midget soldiered on through the latter half of the decade.

Austin-Healey Sprites and their companion MG Midgets are an excellent way to get into British sports cars – if you can. If you are near six-feet or over 12 stone, it will be tight quarters. Don’t worry about a radio, you won’t hear it over 40 mph. Spares are plentiful and rust is the only really serious problem. Gearboxes can be fragile (and will be noisy, if damaged) and the cars are vulnerable, with minimal and low bumpers. Restorable runners can be found at credit card prices and the best cars seldom top £10,000, unless they have significant race history.