1960 Austin Healey Frogeye

One owner from new – you read that correctly. That makes this is not only a unique Frogeye Sprite, but very possibly unique in the entire classic car world. Are there really any other cars bult in 1960 which can genuinely claim to have had just one owner? It’s very unlikely, to say the least.

This Sprite’s story is one of those that classic car enthusiasts fantasise about in their quieter moments. You buy an old house and, inevitably, the legal process churns slowly on, until one day you finally get the keys to your new property. You wander excitedly around, inspecting all the rooms and planning furniture and décor, before wandering outside and coming across the garage. Thinking it’s probably full of rubbish and in need of a good clear-out, you open the doors.

Old boxes of newspapers, junk and assorted rubbish partially obscure your view, but towards the back there’s something covered up with old blankets. Making your way gingerly through the detritus of someone’s life, you pull yet more boxes off and yank at the blankets. And as the clouds of dust and cobwebs slowly settle, the shape of a classic British sports car solidifies before you. You’ve hit the petrolhead jackpot.

It’s a dream scenario many of us must have pondered, but in this case it actually happened. And here is the car from under the blankets. It was restored during the 1980s while still owned by the person who bought it when it was new in 1960. When they passed away, their house was sold and the new owner discovered the Sprite, having had no idea it was there.

This car has an aura – it’s not just another classic Frogeye Sprite. It comes with a patina that only its story could have given it. The paintwork is far from perfect, but the history behind it means it should probably be gently polished and left as it is.

There doesn’t appear to be any obvious rusting of the panels, just a gentle fading of the paint. Some of the brightwork is blemished, and we’d definitely recommend a new set of tyres, but generally speaking the car looks wonderful – a proper time capsule that would sit quite happily in a museum.

The overall condition is amazing considering how long the car sat unused. The garage it was in must have been dry and had good airflow, as not all so-called barn finds survive anything like as well as this Sprite has.

The hood (with its detachable frame) and full length tonneau cover are still with the car. Both are in need of a good clean, but look serviceable. The rear window hasn’t even gone cloudy.

Totally original looking, the cabin is pure 1960. Frogeyes didn’t boast a host of luxury extras – two seats, a steering wheel and essential controls are what you got. It’s simplicity is charming, and it’s in amazing condition. Not perfect, after the years of languishing in its blanket cocoon, but the vibes are very powerful.

The leather seats could do with some hide food – hardly surprising. But a day spent titillating this cabin would reap great rewards. It doesn’t need restoring, or even repairing, just loving.

In the ‘boot’ (accessed from inside the cabin as there’s no opening panel) sits an unused spare, the tyre still has its label stuck to its tread. In here you can also see evidence of the wax-based rust preventing fluid that’s helped keep this little Sprite solid for all these years.

Under the bonnet the little BMC A-Series engine looks completely original, with tiny pancake air filters and brass topped twin SU carburettors. Even the screen wash bottle looks factory spec. And with just 48,000 mils recorded, it runs sweetly too.

Obviously the car will require some recommissioning work before you can enjoy it this summer – not least to the braking system which will require a complete overhaul – but we don’t think any major repairs are likely to be necessary. In many ways this car is an enthusiast’s dream.

This is accentuated by the underside – there’s no sign of serious corrosion, but there is plenty of wax rust proofing and a solid looking exhaust system.

The car’s original owner was Mr Ian George Bailey, and there are historic invoices and paperwork with the car that corroborate this, including a bill for bodywork in 1975, and a motor engineer’s report from 1984 stating that Mr Bailey had owned the car for ‘nearly 25 years’.

There is also a letter from Greater Manchester Police dated 25th May 1977, admonishing Mr Bailey for speeding (they let him off this time). There are invoices form 2005 stating that he still owned the car.

The classic car specialist who is dealing with the sale of this unique Austin Healey says:

‘I had a phone call a couple of months ago from a lady who had bought a house at auction. When all the formalities of the sale had been completed she received the keys for the property and opened the garage to the house.

‘Under blankets and surrounded by the usual rubbish collected over the years by the previous owner, she found sat there an Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite.

‘The House had been sold via auction from the Duchy of Lancaster (her late Majesty the Queen) as the owners were deceased and there were no next of kin so, any valuables would pass to the new owner of the property. We have a letter from the solicitor who dealt with the house sale confirming this, and the purchase invoice from our customer.

‘When we checked the Healey on HPI it confirmed that it was a one owner car from new, that person being the deceased property owner. There is paperwork with the car that confirms this.

‘Both myself and Bonhams agree that this is almost certainly a unique car. If the car sells, the new owner would apply for new V5 from the DVLA in their name.

‘The Frogeye has been heavily wax-oiled and shows no sign of serious corrosion – in fact it looks as though it’s been garaged all its life. It starts and runs, and the speedo shows just 48,000 miles, which I would say is genuine, looking at paperwork.

‘It’s a matching numbers car, and it must be the only 1960 one owner car in the UK. The original numberplate the car had when new will be supplied with it.’

A genuinely unique opportunity to acquire a one owner from new Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite with fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock, and a fantastic history.

Flush the cooling system, change all the oils and filters, overhaul the brakes and revel in an amazing little car.

We estimate this car to fetch between £15,000 - £20,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. Bonhams|Cars Online is open weekdays 9am-5pm – to arrange an appointment to view this car please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.