1959 Austin Healy Sprite

1959 Austin Healey Sprite Description

This is a 1959 Austin Healy (Bugeye) Sprite with a working, period correct Judson supercharger that has been extensively refurbished and reworked.

VIN: AN5L12611

Chassis number:AN5-L/12611

Engine Number: 9C-U-H/12243 (945cc)

Body Number:BAE/12136

Date of Build: 27/2/1959

Top is reasonably intact, no significant holes. Plastic side windows. Don’t expect to get in and out of this car easily with the top up if you are over maybe 5’ 9” tall.I am 6’ and I never use the top because I never drive in the rain. I use the tonneau cover on the right passenger side. Hood tips forward. Rear end sealed, small space behind the seats. Rug intact.

The entire car was sanded down to base metal and repainted. underside sprayed, all before I got the car but I have photos. Seems to be rust free but there are no firm guarantees in a ’59 car. Instrument panel- all new gauges on a false wood panel.

Aluminum radiator. Water pump replaced. Period correct Judson Supercharger with “Marvel Mystery Oil” container. Lubrication set to 2 drops per 5 seconds. Supercharger rebuilt this year. Also equipped with methanol/water injection that kicks in under heavy engine loads. Prevents detonation. The engine will easily do 7000 RPM (don’t do that). Compression 9.4:1 when charger running. New resonator from BugEye Guy. Full electronic ignition. Tubeless tires, ultra-light rims, four wheel disc brakes.

Rebuilt close ratio 4 speed transmission with upgraded later model gears and synchros, 3.90 and 4.22 differential with Peter May double bearing hubs. 9 spring clutch with heavy duty Springs. Colin Dodds roller throwout bearing.Up-rated hardened late model axle. adjustable Carrera shocks.

When I got the car, it had been modified for a single barrel Weber that would fit with the supercharger output. This proved too small and so was replaced with a two barrel Weber with a fabricated manifold input that allows the supercharger to breathe adequately. Easy 8 pounds of pressure.

I broke the crank over-revving the engine and had to have a full engine rebuild, crank, cam, valves, lifters, everything.Hepolite flat top Pistons, chrome moly rings.One might remember that there is no rev-limiter on a supercharger. It just pushes air till the engine blows.The engine runs flawlessly now, idles at1200 and I never push the engine over 5000 RPM.

All lights, turn signals, brake lights work.Negative grounded electrical system with a modern fuse boxI have an Antique license plate and so the car does not require State inspection. Stored in concrete floor garage with heating and air conditioning. I drive it about once a week. I have no idea what the original mileage is. I have a fairly thick book of receipts for this car going back to the 1959, and including all the work I did.

Disclaimers:

This car has electric fuel pump and for whatever reason, is hard to start when dead cold. Requires in and out choking and stomping on the gas pedal.Once started, it runs fine after minimal war-up.

The engine leaks oil because of the increased pressure of the supercharger. Not a lot of oil, just a spot after having been driven. I’ve not had to add any oil between changes.

For whatever reason, when the engine if dead cold and under a load (driving up a hill), I’ll see a puff of oil smoke out the rear. Goes away quickly and never recurs. Mechanic thinks the supercharger deposits a little oil over the cylinders and it burns off under load. The plugs remain clean. Clutch is tight.

I am selling because of my advancing age and some arthritis in my left leg is making it more and more difficult to get in and especially out of the car. Otherwise, once in the car I fit OK. It bears remembering that, although a lot has been done to this car, it remains a 60+-year-old vehicle and probably requires continuous inspection and work on it.Otherwise, the photos tell most of the tale.