Austin-Healey Sprite

The Austin -Healey Sprite Roadster is a British automotive brand Austin -Healey. The Sprite was introduced in 1958 by the British Motor Corporation and manufactured in four model series until 1971. During this period 129 347 copies. The shoe was designed by Donald Mitchell Healey. Many components have been adopted by other models. The engine came from the 1951 -built and 1990 A- series BMC. This served to reduce costs, the sprite cost when it was released £ 669

Mark I

Austin -Healey Mark I

The Mark I series was because of the arrangement of the headlights in Europe nicknamed the " Frogeye " ( " frog eye ") in the U.S. " Bugeye ". Engine and transmission came from the Austin A35, steering and brakes from the Morris Minor. With a displacement of 948 cc of the engine delivered 43 bhp ( brake horsepower ) ( 44 HP ) (32 KW) - 5300/min. In a test of 1958 the car reached a top speed of 133.4 km / h

Mark II

Austin -Healey Mark II (1963 )

In 1961 the second version of the sprite. With somewhat altered mechanics of the car had to get a completely new body. The headlights were now normally integrated into the vehicle front.

Initially kept the Mark II engine with 948 cc, the output increased to 46.5 hp ( 34 kW). In 1962 he was awarded an enlarged engine with 1098 cc, power was now 56 hp ( 41 kW).

As hardly altered sister model of the Sprite Mark II was offered as an MG Midget. In Italy, 950 S was built with an independent body under license from Innocenti.

Mark III

Austin -Healey Mark III (1964-1966)

1964, the car was redesigned and was now called " Mark III ". The performance of the 1.1 - liter engine increased to 59 hp ( 43 kW).

Mark IV

Austin -Healey Mark IV (1969 )

Further modifications led in 1966 to the " Mark IV ". The engine was enlarged a second time and had (as in Austin 1300) a displacement of 1275 cm ³. Thus, the small sports car made ​​65 hp (48 kW).

1971, the sprite was taken off the market after working with Donald Healey had been completed. Its sister model, the MG Midget was, however, continued to be produced until 1979 and was to meet the new licensing requirements, from 1974 bulky plastic bumpers. This modification was not introduced at the Austin -Healey Sprite.