Spot On Austin Healey Sprite

The Austin-Healey Sprite was a small open sports car which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, two days after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven. The Sprite was designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at the MG factory at Abingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down. When the Mk. II Sprite was introduced in 1961 it was joined by a badge-engineered MG version, the Midget, reviving a model name used by MG from the late 1920s through to the mid 1950s. Enthusiasts often refer to these later Sprites and Midgets collectively as "Spridgets." The MG-badged version of the car continued in production for several years after the Austin-Healey brand ceased to exist. The Sprite Mark III was announced in March 1964.[9] It was also marketed as the MG Midget Mark II. Differences between the two were again restricted to minor trim detailing. Although still 1098 cc, the engine had a stronger block casting, and the size of the crankshaft main bearings was increased to two inches (engine code 10CC). A new (slightly) curved-glass windscreen was introduced with hinged quarterlights and wind-up side windows. Exterior door handles were provided for the first time, with separate door locks. Though the car could now be secured, with a soft-top roof the added protection was limited. The rear suspension was modified from quarter-elliptic to semi-elliptic leaf springs, which gave a more comfortable ride for a near-negligible weight penalty as well as providing additional axle location, the upper links fitted to the quarter-elliptic models being deleted. Though scarcely sybaritic, these changes helped the Sprite and Midget compete with the recently released Triumph Spitfire. 25,905 Mark III Sprites were made Diecast and Modellers Community (DMC) Challenge for December is AUSSIE v ENGLISH ASHES SERIES Turn any British vehicle into a muscle car Challenge we are looking at is to Restore or Build Any Matchbox Vehicle If you wish to take part in this worthwhile challenge with me and other like-minded builders click on the link below for more info https://www.facebook.com/groups/diecast.modellers.community Check out the friends channels of Gravesend Australia Diecast Salvage. The help and knowledge from the diecast and model builders listed below is outstanding Diecast and Modellers Community Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/diecast.modellers.community Mid Life Models - Diecast Restorations https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qihRlurniIXmvdODfG4ig Martin Dare Dinky restorations https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPU_lxSrvYY6uSJTutKvw5Q Pimp My Diecasts ( Diecast and Toy Restorations ) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgIv-sdGsLJIbxQE_DM-bA PB’s Retro Restorations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KJwQVk47WU Paul Restorer https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzVmELzRrenJhguFCcDQ3xw Lazilow Collectables https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvUOR4CWySVk1I8TZ_HdYw Danny’s Diecast Disasters https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ52XJ0PhMdGPoUBRLhoBtQ CRAPAUD NICK'S DIECAST RENOVATIONS. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-muolqyjg0iXH2CG5ZnXg Matchbox Garage https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9kSpB__6MiPhf9p9QFcQQA Brians diecast Thailand Stothers https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhYCaQBDOmYcdsi7Nt70eg Bob Willis Corgi Restoration https://www.youtube.com/c/BobWilliscorgi MOS6510 Models https://www.youtube.com/c/MOS6510Models DieCastRestos https://www.youtube.com/c/DiecastRestos Marty's Matchbox Makeovers https://www.youtube.com/user/pso316a

Added 1 Apr 2026