The Frog Eyed Sprite (also known as a Bug Eyed Sprite in the USA) was in production for only 3 years, between 1958 and 1961, where a total of almost 50,000 were built and sold for a launch price of £679 pounds. After this, British Motor Coporation (BMC) decided a re-style was necessary, so then came the MKII Sprite and MKI MG Midget (badge engineering was getting underway at BMC!!) who's body style went on reasonably unchanged through to 1979.

Ironically, today the most sought after of 'Spridgets' are the MKI Sprites with their crazy Frog-Eyed appearance. The original design had called for consealed pop-up headlights operated by a linkage of rods and levers, but this was abandoned in view of the expense and complication. As it turned out, those frog-eyed headlamps would rebound to the Sprites favour and become its most distinctive feature!

The Austin Healey Sprite came into being from collaboration between Donald Healey and Sir Leonard Lord, head of BMC. The Healey - Austin partnership was already underway with the Austin Healey 100 that made its debut back in 1952. Healey had a great knack for the feel of the sports car market and identified along with Leonard a need for a new, small, low cost sports car to compliment the big Healeys that were selling so well in North America.

So, with the engine, gearbox, front suspension and rear axle borrowed from Austin's A35, Twin Carburettors from MG along with their combined Brake/ Clutch Master Cylinder, and Rack & Pinion steering from the Morris Minor, Healey had his mechanicals! The next step was platform and body construction where Healey and Gerry Coker came up with a masterpiece of simplicity and practicality, which has over time stood these little sports cars well. With their nimble handling and reputation for strength and reliability they found their way into the hearts and homes of many a proud owner.

Today the surviving Frog-Eyed Sprites are cherished for their looks, charm and character where a smile is guaranteed from whether within the car or on the footpath! These unmistakable little cars are a link to the past, where owning such a vehicle was more of the norm than in the complicated world we live in today. Imagine a time when motoring top-down on a sunny day to a favourite picnic spot would have been the perfect outing!

Our bright red Sprite is a 1959 model and was purchased from George Campbell of Greenpark, (south of Christchurch) in June of 2006. George is a semi-retired panel beater who used to own his own panel shop in Christchurch before moving out to a lifestyle block in the country. George bought the Sprite from a friend whom imported it from the States in the early 90's but had never completed the car. As from the photos, or especially if you see the car in person you will see the fantastic job George has done on restoring this little beauty. He has parted with it to make room for his next project being a 1947 Triumph Roadster that's in need of a lot of attention.

Here, at Classic Car Experience we have had to do very few jobs to bring the Sprite up to spec. Lee has fitted K&N airfilters over the standard ones to improve filtration, and has also fitted Ignitor Electronic Ignition as on all our fleet, to improve reliability in this area.

So, if you want a bright red bug to bring a smile to young and old, come hire this very special little sports car and simply enjoy!