Austin Healey - Sprite - 1959
Opens 10:00
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Franco Vigorito
Seasoned classic car expert with COO experience at Ferrari Hill Climb Racing Team.
Estimate € 22,000 - € 25,000
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Description from the seller
Austin Healey Sprite MkI 1959 "Frogeye"
• Body-off restored in the Netherlands around 2006
• In the possession of the same Dutch owner from 1997 to 2026
• Tonneau cover
• Rib-case gearbox (later type and much stronger)
• Front disc brakes
• Originating from the collection of an Austin-Healey enthusiast
HISTORY/DOCUMENTATION
The iconic "Frogeye" Austin Healey: a car weighing only 650 KG. To keep costs low, the slogan "Less is More" is more than applicable. Precisely this simplicity makes the car incredibly fun to drive. This specimen concerns a MkI delivered in 1959 and is thus one of the earliest delivered examples. In 1997 the car was shipped from sunny California (USA) to the Netherlands, where the car was completely body-off restored and has always been owned by the same owner until 2026. The end result is a striking Sprite. A very extensive folder is available with the car including import documents, maintenance invoices, history, photos, and much more: the documentation has been carefully preserved over the years. After the restoration the car has driven only 645 miles.
EXTERIOR
The car is finished in a beautiful, vivid color 'Ford Radiant Red'. The paint is still in very good condition. The body panels fit together nicely. The underside of the car also looks very tidy. The lighting is in fresh condition. The chrome work and the rubbers show normal signs of use. The steel wheels are equipped with original chromed hubcaps and good tires.
INTERIOR
The interior is finished in black vinyl/leatherette with adjustable seats. This interior is also in neat condition, without damage and only minimal signs of use. It is equipped with nice and handy accessories such as a thick Moto-Lita steering wheel and a main power switch. A spare wheel and a tonneau cover are also present. Frames of the side windows are also present.
TECHNICAL
The 0.9-liter 4-cylinder engine is paired with a manual 4-speed gearbox and makes it a joy to drive: emotionally feels fast, nimble and pure. The engine was rebuilt in 2004, for which an invoice is present. The polyester bonnet is light, which makes the car ride better. This bonnet is also less maintenance-prone and folds completely forward so the engine is easily accessible. Notable technical improvements are the 'rib-case' gearbox (later type and much stronger) and front disc brakes. The car runs well, but in recent years has driven little, making a service for the new season desirable.
Seller's Story
For several years we have been active in the sale of vintage, classic and modern sports cars throughout the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. We offer a wonderful variety of collector and driver cars that you can enjoy for years to come. You can find this online at Carrosso. com or by visiting our showroom in Oldemarkt, an hour's drive from Amsterdam.
We have a wide variety of classic sports cars, if you are interested in the specific details of a particular car, feel free to give us a call. We are open to negotiating transactions, we can store cars, and we have an effective and reliable way to sell your cars through our purchase or consignment sales program. So, if you have a (classic) sports car for sale, contact us and we can give you the price your car deserves!
Austin Healey Sprite MkI 1959 "Frogeye"
• Body-off restored in the Netherlands around 2006
• In the possession of the same Dutch owner from 1997 to 2026
• Tonneau cover
• Rib-case gearbox (later type and much stronger)
• Front disc brakes
• Originating from the collection of an Austin-Healey enthusiast
HISTORY/DOCUMENTATION
The iconic "Frogeye" Austin Healey: a car weighing only 650 KG. To keep costs low, the slogan "Less is More" is more than applicable. Precisely this simplicity makes the car incredibly fun to drive. This specimen concerns a MkI delivered in 1959 and is thus one of the earliest delivered examples. In 1997 the car was shipped from sunny California (USA) to the Netherlands, where the car was completely body-off restored and has always been owned by the same owner until 2026. The end result is a striking Sprite. A very extensive folder is available with the car including import documents, maintenance invoices, history, photos, and much more: the documentation has been carefully preserved over the years. After the restoration the car has driven only 645 miles.
EXTERIOR
The car is finished in a beautiful, vivid color 'Ford Radiant Red'. The paint is still in very good condition. The body panels fit together nicely. The underside of the car also looks very tidy. The lighting is in fresh condition. The chrome work and the rubbers show normal signs of use. The steel wheels are equipped with original chromed hubcaps and good tires.
INTERIOR
The interior is finished in black vinyl/leatherette with adjustable seats. This interior is also in neat condition, without damage and only minimal signs of use. It is equipped with nice and handy accessories such as a thick Moto-Lita steering wheel and a main power switch. A spare wheel and a tonneau cover are also present. Frames of the side windows are also present.
TECHNICAL
The 0.9-liter 4-cylinder engine is paired with a manual 4-speed gearbox and makes it a joy to drive: emotionally feels fast, nimble and pure. The engine was rebuilt in 2004, for which an invoice is present. The polyester bonnet is light, which makes the car ride better. This bonnet is also less maintenance-prone and folds completely forward so the engine is easily accessible. Notable technical improvements are the 'rib-case' gearbox (later type and much stronger) and front disc brakes. The car runs well, but in recent years has driven little, making a service for the new season desirable.
Seller's Story
For several years we have been active in the sale of vintage, classic and modern sports cars throughout the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. We offer a wonderful variety of collector and driver cars that you can enjoy for years to come. You can find this online at Carrosso. com or by visiting our showroom in Oldemarkt, an hour's drive from Amsterdam.
We have a wide variety of classic sports cars, if you are interested in the specific details of a particular car, feel free to give us a call. We are open to negotiating transactions, we can store cars, and we have an effective and reliable way to sell your cars through our purchase or consignment sales program. So, if you have a (classic) sports car for sale, contact us and we can give you the price your car deserves!
Details
Brand
Austin Healey
Model type
Sprite
Year
1959
Located in
Netherlands
Mileage reading
645 km
Registration papers
with Dutch registration
Transmission
Manual
Fuel
Petrol
Colour
Red
Horse power
48
Cubic capacity
948
Matching numbers
Unknown
Matching colours
Unknown
Service book/history
Yes
Valid MOT
No
CoC (Certificate of Conformity) present
No
Chassis number
AN5L7872
Condition (Paint & body)
Very Good: minor chips or scratches, minor conventional body and paintwork
Condition (Interior)
Very Good: clean, showing minimal wear. May require replacement of minor missing or broken parts
Condition (Frame & underbody)
Very Good: frame/structure is in a well preserved condition, minor signs of usage/wear
Condition (Mechanical)
Very Good: mechanically sound, may require minor service
Condition (Overall)
Very good condition: minimal signs of wear
Vehicle registration
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Disclaimer
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
