Austin Healey 'Frog-eye' Sprite MkI - 1958
Launched in 1958, and running for a mere three years, the 'Frog-eye' MkI Sprite has a strong following.
Objectively the car is slow, rough, uncomfortable, barely weather-proof, and, I'd hate to be in one in a crash.
Subjectively, they are a hoot.
You ride close to the ground, are engaged with the mechanical and driving experience, the wind tussles your hair gently at the pace the car is capable, and the sights, sounds and smells of the landscape are close at hand.
I had the pleasure or car-sitting a Sprite, just like the one pictured, as part of a house and animal-sitting gig.
The MkII and following models, from 1961 - 1971, ditched the frog eyes, replacing it with a look more akin to an MGB, alongside which it was sold as a MG Midget. The car was more 'sensible', also gaining an opening rear luggage door and a (little) bit more engine.
The car was always tiny though, all models less than 3.5 m long (11.5 ft).
Austin Healey 'Frog-eye' Sprite MkI - 1958
Launched in 1958, and running for a mere three years, the 'Frog-eye' MkI Sprite has a strong following.
Objectively the car is slow, rough, uncomfortable, barely weather-proof, and, I'd hate to be in one in a crash.
Subjectively, they are a hoot.
You ride close to the ground, are engaged with the mechanical and driving experience, the wind tussles your hair gently at the pace the car is capable, and the sights, sounds and smells of the landscape are close at hand.
I had the pleasure or car-sitting a Sprite, just like the one pictured, as part of a house and animal-sitting gig.
The MkII and following models, from 1961 - 1971, ditched the frog eyes, replacing it with a look more akin to an MGB, alongside which it was sold as a MG Midget. The car was more 'sensible', also gaining an opening rear luggage door and a (little) bit more engine.
The car was always tiny though, all models less than 3.5 m long (11.5 ft).