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1959' Austin-Healey Sprite

£15,500

Publicado 27 agosto 2026ID: rX40yu

Man Cave Cars
Sussex
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Information from the owner

Carrocería: Coche deportivo

Edad: 67 años

Kilometraje: 22348 km

Desplazamiento: 948 cc

Combustible: Gasolina

Transmisión: Manual

Color exterior: Rojo

Comentarios del vendedor sobre 1959' Austin-Healey Sprite

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I ‘Frogeye’Registration: WXA 885A beautifully presented, rust-free early Frogeye Sprite – freshly serviced, overhauled and ready to be enjoyed.Few British sports cars are as instantly recognisable – or as downright cheerful – as the original Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I.This superb 1959 Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite is a particularly attractive example, finished in a striking deep red with contrasting red and black interior. It presents extremely well throughout and, importantly, is described as an exceptionally solid, pristine and rust-free example.The car has recently undergone a substantial mechanical service, tune and general recommissioning, making this far more than simply a pretty car sitting in a showroom.Recently Serviced & OverhauledThe Sprite has just received a comprehensive programme of mechanical attention including:Major engine service and tuneEngine bay fresh-up and general tidyNew cylinder head gasketNew spark plugsFresh engine oilFull oil serviceFull fluid check and serviceCooling-system flushRadiator flushGeneral ignition and engine tuneCarburettor/ fuelling setup checked and adjustedGeneral mechanical inspection and recommissioningThe result is a Frogeye that presents extremely well cosmetically while also having had the important mechanical work carried out to make it ready for its next owner to use and enjoy.The CarLooking around this Sprite, there is a great deal to like.The wonderfully simple bodywork is exceptionally straight and clean, with the distinctive one-piece forward-hinged bonnet incorporating the raised headlamp pods that gave the car its famous ‘Frogeye’ nickname.* This car still has its original steel Bonnet and Rear Cowl - (no fibre glass) Brightwork presents particularly well, including the front grille, bumper, windscreen surround and rear luggage rack. Sale will include a new chrome front bumper It sits on traditional painted steel wheels with chrome Austin-Healey hubcaps, keeping the car's appearance suitably period and understated.The simple open cockpit is one of the great attractions of an early Sprite and this car retains that wonderfully minimal character.Inside you will find:Right-hand-drive configurationRed and black sports seatsMatching red and black door trimTraditional black dashboardSmiths instrumentationSmiths speedometerSmiths rev counterWater-temperature/ oil-pressure instrumentationFuel gaugeAmmeterManual gearboxPeriod-style wooden gear knobAttractive wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheelThe photographs show an indicated mileage of approximately 22, 348 miles. As with any classic vehicle of this age, this should be regarded as an odometer reading rather than warranted mileage unless supported by the accompanying history file.EngineUnder that famous forward-hinged bonnet sits the compact BMC A-Series four-cylinder engine, fed by a pair of SU carburettors.The original Mk I Sprite specification used the famous 948cc A-Series engine, producing approximately 43bhp through twin SU carburettors and a four-speed manual gearbox.The engine bay of WXA 885 has recently been cleaned and freshened as part of the servicing programme and still retains the delightfully simple mechanical layout which makes these cars such straightforward classics to own and maintain.A Little History – The Original FrogeyeThe Austin-Healey Sprite was conceived as a small, affordable sports car that would bring proper open-top motoring to people who could not necessarily stretch to one of the larger Austin-Healeys.The project developed from discussions between Donald Healey and BMC chief Leonard Lord, with development beginning during the mid-1950s.The objective was brilliantly simple: create an inexpensive two-seat sports car using proven mechanical components already available within the enormous BMC parts catalogue.The resulting Sprite was unveiled in Monte Carlo in May 1958, shortly after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It rapidly became one of Britain's most recognisable sports cars.Instead of using a traditional separate chassis, the Sprite utilised unitary construction, with the floor, sills and transmission tunnel contributing to the car's structural strength.Mechanical components were deliberately tried and tested. Much of the engine, gearbox and suspension engineering came from the Austin A35, while rack-and-pinion steering was derived from the Morris Minor.But it was the bodywork that created the legend.Early proposals incorporated retractable headlights, but the additional complexity and cost were rejected. The lamps therefore remained permanently mounted on top of the bonnet.The result was that unmistakable smiling face.In Britain it quickly became known as the ‘Frogeye’, while Americans affectionately called it the ‘Bugeye’.Today it is one of the most recognised shapes in the entire British classic-car world.The Mk I was produced from 1958 to 1960, with approximately 48, 987 examples produced, making it the most successful individual model to wear the Healey badge.Its light weight, direct rack-and-pinion steering and simple mechanical package also gave the little Sprite considerably more sporting ability than its modest engine capacity might suggest. Sprites were quickly taken into competition and achieved success in rallies and international motorsport, including activity at the Sebring 12 Hours.Registration WXA 885There is an interesting detail surrounding this car's registration.Historic registration allocation records show that XA was a London registration mark, and official records list the WXA series amongst registrations allocated to London.There is also some useful period evidence surrounding the WXA sequence. For example, another surviving 1959 British sports car carrying the very close registration WXA 855 is documented as having been first registered on 25 May 1959, while period-registration enthusiasts also record the WXA series as a 1959 London issue.That makes WXA 885 entirely consistent with a period 1959 London-issued registration.We have not, however, found a sufficiently authoritative online historic record linking WXA 885 specifically to its original first-registration date or supplying its complete ownership history, so we would not claim this without supporting documentation such as its original buff logbook, Heritage Certificate or historic registration records.Why We Like This OneWhat makes a good Frogeye increasingly difficult to find is not simply shiny paintwork.These cars rely heavily on the structural integrity of the body tub, floor, sills and suspension mounting areas, so finding an example that is genuinely sound and free from corrosion is particularly important.This example combines:1959 Mk I Frogeye specificationRight-hand driveExcellent rust-free body structureExtremely attractive red finishVery clean bodyworkSmart red and black interiorPeriod-style cockpitSmiths instrumentationMoto-Lita wood-rim steering wheelTwin-SU A-Series engineFour-speed manual transmissionTraditional steel wheels and chrome hubcapsRear luggage rackMajor recent mechanical serviceNew cylinder head gasketCooling system and radiator flushedFresh fluids, plugs and engine oilEngine professionally serviced and tunedCleaned and refreshed engine bayPeriod-correct 1959-style WXA London registrationReady to be used and enjoyedIn SummaryThe original Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite is one of those rare classics that is almost impossible not to like.Tiny, light, mechanically straightforward and endowed with one of the most charismatic faces ever fitted to a motor car, it captures everything appealing about post-war British sports-car motoring.WXA 885 is an especially attractive example.Its exceptionally solid and rust-free condition, smart presentation and recent programme of servicing and mechanical overhaul make it an ideal candidate for somebody looking for a Frogeye they can actually get in and enjoy rather than immediately embark upon another restoration.Whether destined for Sunday morning drives, classic-car shows, club events, historic touring or simply to sit in the garage and make its owner smile every time the door opens, this is exactly what an early Sprite should be.1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I ‘Frogeye’Registration: WXA 885948cc A-Series – Twin SU Carburettors – 4-Speed ManualRight-Hand DrivePristine Rust-Free ExampleMajor Service & Mechanical Overhaul Just CompletedAvailable now at Man Cave Cars & Classics.Viewing and inspection welcomed.

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