Austin Healey Sprite

Description

TheAustin-Healey Spriteis a small opensports carwhich was produced in theUnited Kingdomfrom 1958 to 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press inMonte Carloby theBritish Motor Corporationon 20 May 1958, just before that year'sMonaco 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-warAustin Seven. The Sprite was designed by theDonald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at theMGfactory atAbingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of theAustinA-Seriesengine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down.

In 1961 the Sprite was joined by abadge-engineeredMGversion, theMidget, reviving a model name used by MG from the late 1920s through to the mid 1950s. Enthusiasts often refer to Sprites and the later Midgets collectively as "Spridgets."

The next upgrade was presented at theLondon Motor Showin October 1966.[7]Besides receiving the larger 1275cc engine (which disappointed enthusiasts by being in a lower state of tune than that of the Mini-Cooper 'S'), the Mark IV and its cousin the Mark III MG Midget had several changes which were more than cosmetic. Most notable is the change from a removable convertible top, which had to be stowed in the boot, to a permanently affixed, folding top of greatly improved design, which was much easier to use. Separate brake and clutch master cylinders were fitted, as car manufacturers' thoughts began to turn to making their products safer.[8]On US market versions the larger engine sacrificed some of its performance from 1968 on, through the use of smog pumps and other modifications to comply with federal emission control requirements. 1969 was the final year the Sprite was exported to the US.

For the 1970 model year cast-alloy wheels were fitted and the grille was changed to resemble that fitted to the MG Midget.[9]22,790 Mark IV Sprites were made.[5]

Engine:

• 1966–1971: 1275ccA-SeriesI4, 65hp (48kW) at 6000rpm and 72lbf·ft (98Nm) at 3000rpm

The Healey connection was discontinued in 1971, so the final 1,022 Sprites built were simply Austin Sprites.[10]This was a cost-cutting move ofDonald Stokes', enabling British Leyland to stop paying royalties to theDonald Healey Motor Company.[11]There was no direct successor, as BL's extensive range already contained the MG Midget, which was identical to the Sprite except for badging, and the similarly dimensioned and pricedTriumph Spitfire.

From : Wikipedia