1969 Austin Healey Sprite

This Healey is an exceptionally low mileage example having just 4468 miles on the clock, this is likely due to being sat up for a long period of time before the current owner restored and recommissioned the car. The current owner has unfortunately passed, but they took on the car in a very sorry state before restoring the car over the 20 years they have owned it. Speaking to the seller, they informed us that not much could be found about the car from its previous owners, and we presume that it had been used very little before being parked up and left for an extended amount of time. The previous keeper however had a new body shell ready to replace the presumably rotten one, so there must have been intentions to fix the little Healey at some point.

Since being in the ownership of the current keeper, the car has undergone a thorough restoration with many panels being replaced, such as the doors, boot and other parts of the body shell. Where necessary, new parts have been fitted but all efforts have been made to keep original parts where they could be fixed and recommissioned.

Since the Austin Healey was finished, the owner used it sparingly for short trips around the local countryside in the sunshine never using the little Sprite in the rain. It has always been garaged and never kept outside and as you can see in the gallery below; this has given the car the best chance at staying fresh and clean bodywork wise. The only thing this car might benefit from is a minor refresh with regards to fluids and sundries and then given a good long run out, despite this the car starts and runs well.

The refreshed body shell is painted in a Vauxhall colour, the baby blue paintwork has a period feel to it whilst also being much easier to take care of due to the modern nature of its composition. Having had a respray during its restoration, the condition of the paint is fantastic with very few stone chips, if any at all. There is a slight scuff to the paintwork on the passenger side front wing, but this is believed to just be in the clear coat and would almost certainly come out with a cut and polish. Further to the scuff, the only other point to draw your attention to would be the small pin dent on the rear driver’s arch which again would be easy work for a body specialist to massage out.

The 13” wire wheels are new items and as such are in fantastic condition with new Michelin Energy tyres, the car also comes with a full-size spare with good tyre and a soft faced mallet for the centre caps. The bumpers are original items and are in great condition with very little pitting on the chrome with the rest of the chrome trim either being new or recommissioned to the same high standards of the bumpers, giving the little sprite its shine to match its wonderful paintjob.

The hood and tonneau cover are also new items from Moss Ltd and works beautifully as is the simple design and nature of the manually operated hood mechanism. There are no creases or scratches to be found in the windows and the mechanism isn’t suffering from any corrosion or stiff movement.

The interior was subject to a considerable amount of time, money and effort from the current owner and as such a lot of the parts for the interior, including the boot space, are new items from Moss Ltd or recommissioned parts re-done by specialist interior restoration shops. The interior of the Healey is sublime and wants for nothing more, the simple black leather contrasting the baby blue paint work is a tired and tested colour combination and works very well.

All touch points on the car have very little if any wear and tear due to them being replaced during the owner’s time restoring the car, the gear lever with its wooden knob, pulls the classic interior together reminding you that this is a classic car with no modern systems to get in the way of the driving pleasure. All the dials and electrics in the cabin work well with the key switches and buttons labelled to prevent any confusion. Everything inside the cockpit is finished to such a high standard that this little Healey really is a pleasant place to be.

With the Healey having a new shell during its time as well as a long list of replacement or recommissioned parts, including those for the running gear, the underside of the car is in fantastic condition. The body panels are straight and there is no structural rust to be seen, the exhaust system has some surface rust, but this would be put down to the fact that the car has sat for a little bit and would be remedied by a good run out. There are obvious signs of rustproofing too with black Hammerite style covering all over the underside and on many of the main components underneath.

The suspension components all look to have brand new rubber bushings, for example, the anti-roll bar, drop links and suspension arms. The leaf springs look to be in good condition also with some coverings of brown presumably down to the car sitting for a small amount of time. Other than these very minor points, the underside of this Healey is set to last for a long while yet, ready for many years of use before demanding any attention.

During the 20 years this car has been with its current keeper, there has been a mountain of carefully maintained receipts and invoices for all manner of new parts. All aspects of the car have seen work or new parts being purchased to make this car the best it can be. The V5 is present and the MOT certificates that back up the mileage are also included with the history file. Any major works or parts are listed below:

New hood cover – 16/06/2006 – Moss

Replacement clutch set – 28/06/2004 – Allparts

Exhaust parts – 06/03/2007 – MGOC Spares

New doors, bonnet and boot – MGBHive

MG midget half shaft – 06/09/2003 – Mechspec MG Centre

Midget interior trim and clips – 22/02/2006 – PJM Motors

Trim kit, vinyl seat covers, navy blue carpet set, seatfoam, seat diaphragm – 04/05/2005 – Midland Sports and Classics

Carburettor tuning – 03/08/2007 – Manor Garage

Lumenition ignition kit – 06/12/2008 – MGOC Spares

Front wing driver’s side – 07/10/2003 – Moss

Stub axels and wishbones, calliper recondition and other misc suspension parts – 30/09/2003 – Moss

This Austin Healey has been a labour of love over the 20 years the current keeper has owned the car with every aspect of the car receiving attention. The Mark IV had some significant upgrades at launch and was also the mark that the BMC produced the least of, so the rarity of the later models is higher than some of the earlier ones. With the biggest engine size as well, along with wire wheels and disc brakes, the later model Sprite seems to be the one to go for if you want original condition with the best that Austin Healey had to offer at the time.

Think of the Sprite as one of the founding fathers of the ‘British Sports Car’ recipe that paved the way for such a loved configuration and one that is still loved to this day. This little Sprite is ready to go and would make for a perfect, usable, summertime classic, that’s certain to put a smile on your face whilst driving it.

Our estimate for this car is £6,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment 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’.