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Austin-Healey
Sprite Mk I - "Bugeye" |
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The Car: |
Austin-Healey
Sprite Mk I - "Bugeye"
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| Years: 1958
- 1961 |
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In 1958 BMC launched a new, small sports-car based on
well proven Austin A35 mechanical parts. The new car was known
as the Austin Healey Sprite and would be produced at the MG
factory in Abingdon. The Sprite introduced a whole new concept
in sports-car ownership that would later be copied by Triumph
and MG. The Sprite consisted of a twin carb A35 engine, 948cc,
A-Series engine driving the rear wheels via a four speed gearbox.
The body was of a simple design with no external boot access
and with minimal decoration. The one-piece bonnet was originally
designed to include pop-up headlamps, however the mechanisms
proved too complex and so the lamps were mounted in a fixed
pod. This unusual styling feature actually added to the cars
"cute" appeal and it quickly gained the nickname "Frogeye" (or
"Bugeye" in the USA) Sprite.
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| Description |
The original equipment engine on the Sprite was
the BMC A-series 948cc. Over the years, the engine has frequently
been replaced by owners seeking more power with the larger
displacement engines in the A-series, as large as 1275cc.
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| Specifications |
Engine |
Displ |
Bore/Stroke |
Carburetor |
Horsepower |
OHV 4-cyl |
948cc |
62.92mm x 76.2mm
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Twin SU |
43 @ 5200 rpm |
Top
Speed |
0-60 |
SQM |
MPG |
Brakes |
82 |
20.5s |
21.8 |
34 |
Drum
F & R |
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