Registration - CCL 91C

Chassis No. - HAN852530

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 39,112

This delightful little British Racing Green Austin-Healey Sprite has plenty of pedigree, having formerly been owned by Grand Prix and Sportscar driver David Piper, who raced cars as varied as the Lotus 16 Climax, Jaguar C-Type, Ferrari 250 GTO, and Porsche 917K in races including Silverstone, Le Mans, and Kyalami, 'CCL 91C' was also raced by Piper, despite having his lower leg amputated following an accident while filming ‘Le Mans’ in 1970 – the Sprite even has his name and blood group printed on the car’s dashboard.

With such history, the Austin-Healey would be desirable anyway, but this is an incredibly good example of an increasingly rare car. The seller reports that the 1,098cc engine, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, remains ‘punchy’, and the bodywork, interior, and roof are remarkably clean. Only a few minor cosmetic imperfections are reported, with bodywork, paint, and cabin – which features a rare Austin-Healey Sprite steering wheel – reckoned as being in ‘good’ condition by the current owner. In fact, everything regarding the Sprite, including engine and transmission, is rated as good, other than the electrics, which are considered ‘excellent’.

Work known to have been carried out includes new wheels, tyres, door cards, window wiper arms, battery, and sump gasket fitted, while the Sprite has also been under-sealed, the soft-top frame repainted, and wheel arches sorted. Of course, given its provenance, there is a roll-cage fitted. A number of old and recent invoices back up the amount of work spent on ‘CCL 91C’, and the owner believesthe mileage of just 39,112 miles to be genuine, though this is not warranted.

Launched in 1958 by the British Motor Corporation, the Austin-Healey Sprite was intended to be a low-cost sportscar, and one that ‘a chap could keep in his bike shed’, following on from the pre-war Austin Seven. The Mark I is one of the most famous classic British roadsters around, fondly known as the ‘Frogeye Sprite’ thanks to its headlights placed atop the bonnet. These had originally been designed to fold back when not in use – think Porsche 928 – but cost-controls meant the flip-up mechanism was abandoned, and the lights were fixed into position, giving the Sprite its famous nickname.

Originally available with a 948cc engine, despite its relatively modest capacity, the Sprite became a favourite of rally drivers and hill-climbers – and remains one to this day. Its low-weight and sorted handling more than made up for any lack of power, with early engines only putting out 43bhp. The Sprite Mk II was launched in 1961, with a slightly more powerful engine thanks to larger twin carburettors. More conventional styling was brought in too, which was part of plans to bring out an MG version of the Sprite, the Midget. The Mk III arrived in 1964, with far fewer changes mechanically, carrying over the 1,098cc engine introduced on the Mk II in 1962. Finally, the Sprite bowed out with the Mk IV, which was launched in 1966, until production ceased in 1971.

· Racing pedigree and prestigious racing owner

· An apparently low mileage example with fewer than 40,000 miles displayed on the clock

· Described as being in 'good' condition inside and out, with extensive file of work carried out