Chassis No. - AN5-L/39237

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 6,763

This bonnie specimen was imported from America and first UK registered in March 2012, since when it has had just the one registered owner - ie the late father of the vendor, who we gather lavished a considerable level of time and money on the car. It apparently started life in yellow, but is now resplendent in dark blue, that’s matched to blue interior trim, an (as yet unused) red hood, and silver-painted wire wheels. The vendor informs us that the Frogeye was campaigned in speed hillclimbs while in the US, hence the conversion to knock-off wheels and what is thought to be a 1275 rather than the original 948cc A Series engine. He confirms that while in his father’s tenure the car was always garaged and well maintained, and he currently regards the powerplant, four-speed manual transmission, bodywork, paintwork and upholstery as all being in ‘good’ order. He volunteers that the twin SU carburettors would now benefit form a tune-up, but otherwise reckons the Sprite is good to go, and is selling it complete with a brand new battery, tonneau cover, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel and history file.

Thanks to its prominent, bonnet-mounted headlights, the original Sprite quickly became known as the ‘Frogeye’ - a moniker that has stuck to this day. The little two-seater, designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company and built by BMC at the MG factory in Abingdon, was launched in Monte Carlo immediately prior to the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. The unique, one-piece bonnet covered a mildly tuned, 43bhp 948cc version of the BMC A series engine already found in the Austin A35 and Morris Minor. The suspension was by coil springs and wishbones at the front and quarter elliptic springs at the rear, with lever arm dampers all round. The construction was ‘integrated’ rather than a full monocoque and featured forward projecting chassis legs of the type used in the E-Type Jaguar. The minimal specification excluded exterior door handles and boot lid. Some 49,000 Frogeyes were built between 1958 and 1961.

In summary:

• One caring UK owner since being imported from the USA in 2012
• Features wire wheels and Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel
• Equipped with an as yet unused red hood and new battery