It may look cute with its distinctive ‘frogeye’ lights or protruding ‘bugeye’ lights as they called the Mark 1 Austin Healey Sprite in the USA where it achieved sales success, but this rally version can give you a speedy bite!

With a 1275 cc developed version of the original Austin A-Series engine, the healthy top speed of 85 mph is almost irrelevant compared to the zip it delivers to get you there on twisty rally roads.

With front suspension of wishbones, coil springs and the shock absorber lever acting as a top link, it steers with ease and handles as intended for the nimble little sports car that was created by the Donald Healey Motor Company for BMC in 1958. The Sprite’s chassis design became the world’s first volume production sports car to use part monocoque construction where all but the hinge up bonnet was able to take structural stresses.

No wonder then that the ‘frogeye’ became a winner when it took to the tracks and rally stages. The BMC Competitions Department entered Austin Healey Sprites in major international races and rallies.

This little light green machine embodies all the qualities that have taken the ‘frogeye’ on its road to stradom. Our Sprite has full competition equipment including under body protection and full safety harnesses, the navigator has a Brantz rally meter for distance calculation and the obligatory map light for night work.

It is a joy to drive but a thrill to compete in.