1961 Austin Healey ‘Frog Eye’ Sprite MK1 |

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1961 Austin Healey ‘Frog Eye’ Sprite MK1

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£10,720

Mileage~32,803 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine948cc
LocationOldham

SOLD

1961 Austin Healey ‘Frog Eye’ Sprite MK1

I WANT ONE

Introduction

A rare example of an authentically original Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite MK1, with its original engine and gearbox.

First registered in 1961 and purchased in 2002 by the current owner, the car has been garaged under this multi-decade ownership.

Now I am retired, we spend more time away from home with our children and grandchildren and on our canal narrowboat. Reluctantly, I feel the car deserves a new owner who will use it more than I do.

This listing was written from information supplied by XXXXX after meeting XXXXX the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Vehicle Owner

saved £1,800* when they
sold their Austin Healey with us.

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Exterior

With its iconic ‘Frogeye’ headlights, Teal Blue paint, and lovely chrome work, this really is a striking car.

Wheels and Tyres

The car comes with genuine Austin Healey chrome hub caps and a spare wheel and tyre in the car.

There's good amount of tread on all the tyres.

Bodywork

The bodywork is in excellent condition with no damage and no visible rust.

Paint

The paintwork is in excellent condition with a high gloss finish. I believe that the original colour was 'Iris Blue' but that the car was resprayed to 'Teal Blue' (a popular Austin Healey colour in the 1970s).

The 'Teal Blue' has an excellent finish and is an eye-catching colour, authentic to later Sprite models.

Glass and Trim

The chrome trim is in excellent condition.

The original toughened glass windscreen is also in good condition.

The white soft top is authentic to the original Mark 1 specification, and the sale includes a black tonneau cover I bought for the car.

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Interior

The original interior in good condition, and the quirky ‘boot’ can be accessed from behind the seats. It houses the spare wheel, the soft top, and the tonneau cover - and can accommodate a very small amount of luggage!

Seats and Carpets

The dark blue seats with lighter blue piping and blue carpets really suit the character of the car.

These are all in good condition, apart from some slight age fading to the carpet on the tunnel.

Dashboard

The dashboard is dark blue, and is original apart from the addition of a vacuum gauge (the thing to have in the 60s!). It's in good condition.

The odometer shows ~32,803 miles, which I believe is genuine given the MOT records from 1992.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The car sports its natty original two-spoke steering wheel, along with its gear stick & knob - with all numbers visible.

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Mechanics

This is an original car that has been cared for by its owners. The 948cc engine takes you back to an earlier era of British driving.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine and gearbox are original. There are minor engine and transmission oil leaks, commensurate with the age of the car.

The oil pressure is good, at 43psi at the engine running temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gear changes are good for the age of the car. Just double de-clutch when changing down and you’ll be fine!

Suspension and Brakes

In good order, fully checked by an MOT garage with a specialism in classic cars in 2023.

The brakes are good (commensurate with the car’s age), with a new brake cylinder and shoes fitted by the garage to rectify rear brake bind at that time. (See invoice and report in History and Paperwork section).

The Drive

It starts well, for the age of the car, and runs well. It's great fun to drive and always attracts a lot of attention.

This is a straightforward car, with no driver aids: a true British Classic.

Electrics and Other

The minimal electrics are in good order. Lights, indicators, and heater are all working. The light wiring was secured by the garage in 2023.

The rev counter is not working because the current dynamo does not have a drive output.

The front wheel bearings were replaced following full garage inspection in 2023, and the cross member was repaired. Discussion with the garage determined that the amount of play in the rear wheel bearing and the condition of the rear axle straps were still acceptable for current use.

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History and Paperwork

Built on 24th October 1960, it was despatched 25th February 1961 to Lankesters Ltd. Surbiton, Surrey with the following extras: rev counter, heater, toughened glass windscreen, and front bumper. This is a very original car, with MOT history going back to 1992.

The car has been maintained by the owner and a local garage which includes a specialism in classic car maintenance and repair.
MOT records from 1992 until 2012:
MOT date Year Mileage
Aug 1992 27228
Oct 1993 28153
May 1996 28288
May 1997 29097
May 1998 29387
May 1999 29570
May 2000 29799
May 2001 30089
April 2002 30940
April 2003 31658
April 2004 31933
April 2005 31990
May 2006 32089
June 2007 32133
April 2009 32171
April 2010 32206
June 2011 32356
June 2012 32590
July 2025 32770

2023 invoice for full inspection and work undertaken (32687 miles).

Inclusions
Hood (white) and Tonneau Cover (black) plus String back gloves and cap for the authentic look!

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From Trade Classics:
This is a Market Auction listing, meaning we have not visited and photographed the car - instead the seller has supplied the images and written the description. However we’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID that matches the V5, and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPi that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

Viewings are welcomed, so please get in touch with us via the 'contact us' page - we just need to speak to you first on the phone, have you register on the site, and also send in valid photo ID before confirming a suitable time to visit.

Like all our auctions, if there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - the Buyer's Premium is not refundable in any instance, just like a traditional auction house.

Key Details

Year1961
ModelSprite MK1
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date1961
CC948
Mileage32,803 on the clock
ColourBlue
Interior ColourBlue
Chassis #AN5/48358
Engine #WL/U/H.48291
MOTYes - valid until 22-06-2026
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
Former Keepers5
VisitedNo - Seller created listing.
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~24 years
Key FeatureLovely condition
Vehicle Registration907TPE
Driver’s SideRHD
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeConvertible
Auction ID20088

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Frogeye Sale Date 02.04.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

6 Comments

Stevehill

9 days ago

Would of gone all the way if I could have viewed

Stevehill

10 days ago

Are the areas around the spring hangers good, I notice the areas near the sills are plated which I’d expect at the age but is the underneath fully sound ?
Sorry to ask all these questions but it would appear I can’t actually view the car so just making sure.

Stevehill

10 days ago

Hi
Any chance you could add photos of underside ?

ColinB

Admin

Stevehill

10 days ago

Hi Steve,

You can see some underside photos in the Mechanics gallery, starting here:

https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/austin-healey/1961-austin-healey-frog-eye-sprite-mk1/#gallery3-3

Thanks,
Colin.

Frogeye

Seller

Stevehill

10 days ago

The underside of the car was inspected by a local garage specialising in classic car repairs and they found no corrosion

Stevehill

Frogeye

10 days ago

Is there any chance of viewing the car?
Kind Regards,
Steve.

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Vehicle Location

Oldham

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