1971 Austin Sprite – very rare, one of just 1,022 ever built

The Austin-Healey Sprite story started when Donald Healey was tasked to design a small, affordable
and fun sports car to fill a gap in the market, specifically a sports car for the price of a Morris Minor (around £600) & the first Sprites, with chassis numbers beginning AN5, were built in 1958.

What they didn’t expect was its considerable competition success, largely due to it’s exceptional handling & its no wonder they were widely and successfully competed.

Although often overshadowed by the ‘Big Healeys’, the Sprite delivers super performance, excellent handling & an immersive drive – offering great value for money when you consider the cost of its big brother.

The upgraded Mark 4 Austin-Healey Sprites offered an increase in power with the 1275cc engine…..and this is where the story gets interesting; in 1971 British Leyland decided that they no longer wanted to give Mr Healey his royalty cheque and rebranded the last run of Mark 4’s as simply ‘Austin Sprites’ producing just 1,022 of these cars sporting the Chassis Numbers AAN……the rarest of all the Sprites.

Our lovely example is confirmed as one of these very rare cars and is correctly registered as an ‘Austin’ with chassis number AAN1087511G confirmed with the accompanying Heritage Certificate, the chassis number indicates that this is car number 708 of the 1,022 built.

Finished in the original red with good panel fit, door shuts & brightwork, it’s riding on the correct wheels with tyres in good shape, the hood is in good condition and it comes with a hood cover, tonneau cover and storage cover as well a removable boot rack.

The black interior, piped in red, is also in excellent condition, including the dash and the correct steering wheel.

Not only does it look great it drives superbly; recently serviced with a new clutch fitted in 2020, the steering is direct, gear changes are smooth, the brakes pull up sharp & straight and it holds the correct oil pressure; the only issue we have found is that the choke cable doesn’t hold out & the clothes peg is included in the sale.

The file is super, as well as a collection of invoices dating back to 1989, MOT Certificates from 1989 & 1993 to 2004 inclusive it has also retained an original Handbook & Supplement and the correct Heritage Certificate.

We think these have so much going for them; stylish, sporty, great fun to drive, practical to use & maintain and a super rare car which rarely come to market.

ULEZ Compliant, Tax & MOT exempt with classic car insurance at circa £80 per year.

Please contact me to discuss or to arrange a viewing on 07851 694637.

CARDS ACCEPTED
Delivery can be arranged.