1967 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk3 Roadster

Description

Less than three years after the launch of the beautiful MGA, which replaced the last of the old Midgets (the TF), another all-new sports car emerged from the Abingdon factory in Oxfordshire. Unlike the MGA, this one boasted monocoque construction; like the MGA, it used many of the mechanicals found in the mainstream sedans produced by the British Motor Corporation. Despite the fact that this newcomer shared many of its credentials with the dearer MGA, it was not branded ‘MG’ – at least, not yet. This was, of course, the Austin Healey Sprite. The perky little Sprite was developed by the Donald Healey Motor Company. Healey had already given (sold!) BMC the lusty four-cylinder Healey 100 and its 100/6 successor. Doubtless, the BMC product planners had formed the view that the new budget-priced sports car could trade more effectively on the new Austin Healey brand rather than MG – and yet, here was the true spiritual successor to the TC, TD and TF Midgets. The Sprite beat the Austin Seven/ Morris Mini-Minor to market by just 15 months and to a large extent it reflects the same product planning priorities, driven by the 1956 Suez Crisis. From the beginning, the Sprite was destined to be a budget-priced competitor in motorsport, very much in the tradition of the MG Midgets. The Austin Healey Sprite was the world’s first mass-produced monocoque sports car (although it was not technically a ‘full’ monocoque because of the front chassis legs projecting forward from the passenger compartment). The Sprite used the 948cc A-Series engine as fitted to the contemporaneous Morris Minor 1000 and Austin A35. With a pair of 1 1/8-inch SUs and MG-designed manifold, in this guise the willing little engine developed 42.5 horsepower at 5000rpm. Given the Sprite weighed just 660kg, the power to weight ratio ensured lively performance. BMC claimed 15 seconds for the zero to 50 miles per hour sprint, which was still the benchmark measure throughout the 1950s and probably for some time into the 1960s. The facelifted Mark 2 with more power and new gearbox ratios. went on sale in Australia in August 1962. It proved to be a stopgap with just 326 produced. The Mark 2A was introduced in March 1963. Engine capacity jumped to 1089cc with 55 brake horsepower. Although top speed barely improved, the zero to 50 dash now took just 10.4 seconds. The Mark 2A scored front disc brakes. In October 1964 the Mark 3 (YAGN8) with wind-up windows and semi-elliptic rear springs, a redesigned dashboard, smaller steering wheel and other improvements (including self-cancelling indicators!) was introduced locally. Power was now 59 brake horsepower for a top speed north of ninety miles per hour and the standing quarter-mile took 19.9 seconds. The Mark 3A (YHGN8) duly followed in August 1965. This one acquired wire wheels as standard equipment and the chrome side strip that was used on Midget versions overseas. Upgraded front seats with a curved back rest were introduced during the model run of about 800 units.