The Classic Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite

The “bugeye” Sprite, or more formally, the Austin Healey Sprite Mark I, was originally designed by the famous sports car designer Dennis Healey. The British Motor Corporation (BMC) made nearly 49,000 cars from 1958 to 1961. The British motoring press first saw the car just prior to the start of the Monarco Formula 1 grand prix in 1958.

The car was conceived as a natural replacement for the hot, modified Austin Sevens that were being raced in England, Europe and Australia. The car had to be low cost, so many parts from the Austin A35 and Morris Minor were used by BMC.

The Mark I Sprite had no separate chassis. It was the first sports car to use integrated construction, whereby the metal skin panels of the body carry the loads normally carried by the chassis. To keep the costs down there were no outside handles on the doors and no trunk lid. The spare wheel was stored under the rear deck, and to get it out the seats needed to be tilted forward.

The famous “Bugeye” look, with the headlights standing on the front of the bonnet was not intended. The original design was for these lights to swing down into a recess when turned off. Because of the need to cut costs, this tilt mechanism was deleted and the unique “bugeye” look was born. Would the car have enjoyed such cult status if the “bugeye” look had not prevailed?

With the Austin A35 948cc slightly tuned engine fitted, with twin SU carburetors, the Sprite still only had 43bhp. It could reach 60 mph in 20.5 seconds and had a top speed of 83 mph (135 km/h). British Motor Corporation had the car competing in many major rallies and races with considerable success.

Private owners all over the world also raced the Sprite in local and national competition. The fact that the car was relatively cheap to buy and easy to upgrade for racing made it a favourite of the amateur race drivers. Many early Sprites are still being raced in England, Europe, the United States and Australia today, fifty years after its introduction.

See more about the Austin Healey “bugeye” Sprite at this Austin Healey web site