1960 Austin Healey Sprite project, 948cc. Registration number 436 NPK (VE60). Chassis number AN5 33613. Engine number 9CUH 33299. Sold with the VE60. Intended as a spiritual successor to inexpensive pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type or Austin 7 Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May 1958. Fruit of the growing partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to a minimum through some inspired BMC parts bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it combined the Austin A35's independent front suspension and four-speed gearbox. Powered by a twin-carburettor fed 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lbft of torque, it was capable of over 80mph. NPK, with the original engine still fitted, was owned by Dorothy Woodward of Devon in 1968 before being bought by Anne Biddlecombe of Suffolk in 1974. Our vendor bought it for his wife a few years later, removed the floors to fit new ones and left it in a barn, never completing the task. It has remained there ever since until his recent passing. NPK offers a rare opportunity to restore an unmolested Frogeye that has been been waiting for a long time to go back on the road. All the original engine components are present, as are the roof sticks. We have not tried to turn the engine over. Sold with the VE60.
1960 Austin Healey Sprite project, 948cc. Registration number 436 NPK (VE60). Chassis number AN5 33613. Engine number 9CUH 33299. Sold with the VE60. Intended as a spiritual successor to inexpensive pre-war sports cars such as the MG M-type or Austin 7 Nippy, the Austin-Healey Sprite was launched in May 1958. Fruit of the growing partnership between Donald Healey and Austin's Leonard Lord, its design costs were kept to a minimum through some inspired BMC parts bin raiding. Built around a lightweight monocoque, it combined the Austin A35's independent front suspension and four-speed gearbox. Powered by a twin-carburettor fed 948cc A-series four-cylinder engine developing some 43bhp and 52lbft of torque, it was capable of over 80mph. NPK, with the original engine still fitted, was owned by Dorothy Woodward of Devon in 1968 before being bought by Anne Biddlecombe of Suffolk in 1974. Our vendor bought it for his wife a few years later, removed the floors to fit new ones and left it in a barn, never completing the task. It has remained there ever since until his recent passing. NPK offers a rare opportunity to restore an unmolested Frogeye that has been been waiting for a long time to go back on the road. All the original engine components are present, as are the roof sticks. We have not tried to turn the engine over. Sold with the VE60.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
