1959 Austin-Healey Sprite

Make

Austin-Healey

Model

Sprite

Year

1959

Listed price

$9,000

Location

Roswell, New Mexico

Transmission

Manual

Mileage

123,456 miles

The Austin-Healey Sprite, affectionately known as the "Bugeye" or "Frogeye" depending on your side of the Atlantic, burst onto the scene in 1958 as a truly accessible sports car. Donald Healey's vision was to create a small, affordable roadster that captured the thrill of motoring, and the Sprite delivered in spades. Its distinctive, forward-facing headlights, originally designed to be retractable but fixed due to cost, gave it an undeniable charm and cemented its iconic status. Powered by a modest A-series engine, the Mark I Sprite quickly became a darling of club racing and weekend enthusiasts alike, offering direct, unadulterated driving pleasure in a lightweight, nimble package. Over 49,000 Mark I Sprites were produced before the model evolved, making this first generation a beloved and highly recognizable classic. This 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite presents an exciting canvas for restoration, embodying the raw essence of that original vision. While it has spent a considerable amount of time parked, as indicated by its current state, its heart remains a robust 1275cc engine, ready to be brought back to life and paired with its manual transmission. The seller notes that the primary bodywork required is concentrated on the bottom of the car, a common area for attention after extended periods of storage. For the enthusiast eager to revive a piece of British motoring history, this Bugeye Sprite offers a rewarding project.