1963 Austin Healey Sprite MkIIA 1.1

Faults:

Clutch plate

Pressure plate

Gearbox

These were replaced at 34516 miles.

King pins replaced at 51022 miles. A terrible job as they freeze in the A-frames and cannot be removed. Very costly.

Big end bearings replaced at 58000 miles.

General Comments:

A great fun little car in its day. I bought it at age 23 and we went on our honeymoon from Sydney to North Queensland in it. Handled really well compared to other cars of the era, but really needed the anti-roll bar at the front. Even then, I can remember that if it was going to break away in the corners, it would go into a front wheel slide first.

GREAT fun, especially as this one has the sliding windows and you could remove them on a hot day and get loads of air in without burning the head off with the roof down in summer.

Great girl-catcher, but then I was engaged when we bought it. All the girls really liked it.

If you're going to have a car like this, get it while you're young. Don't wait until the second childhood because it just looks bad.

Very glad I had the car at the time and have fond memories in spite of the unreliability of BMC and high cost of parts (at the time). The only other car I had which came close was a Fiat 128SL (better, but not a convertible).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th September, 2006

2nd Dec 2018, 12:59

Yes, a Sprite is a car for the young. I had one when I was 16, and at 50 I sat in one again. I recall it being quite roomy then, but it certainly wasn't the second time around.