1966 Austin Healey Sprite Roadster

1966 Austin Healey Sprite Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

For sale we have a great condition, excellent running and driving Austin Healey Sprite. This roadster is a 1966 model and has had lots of work performed, costing thousands of dollars, to bring it to a great drivable state. The car has been repainted with a pretty good paint job, and we added a racing stripe. Additionally, quite a few years ago the 1098cc engine was replaced with the more powerful and desirable 1275cc engine. This engine starts right up every time and runs like a sewing machine. The original interior condition looks incredible for the age and doesn't make you feel like your driving a modern, redone sports car- but a genuine vintage roadster (previous owner stated it was original and that appears true). Mechanically speaking, the entire braking system has been redone with new rear brakes and hydraulics, along with new front brakes and hydraulics. The carbs on the engine were replaced too, making the engine even more reliable. Tons of money has been put into this car to make it as close to a full restoration as possible, while still maintaining the authentic and classic feel.

This car was recently taken to a professional mechanic’s shop where we had it inspected for anything needing work and to have the rear brakes redone (the front were done along with a new master cylinder a few months ago). Upon inspection the mechanic stated the car was in good condition underneath and there was only surface rust. He also added the floor pans had light surface rust, but were solid and in fine condition. Along with the fact the frame/ body of the car are straight. Lastly, he did say down the road it might need new king pins, but it should be fine for now and the front-end is in otherwise great shape.

A hardtop in otherwise good condition, except for a cracked rear window, is included with the purchase. Original owners manual also included.

Video of Car Running:https://youtu.be/LLYnrbrGT_g (brakes and a few other things just worked on at time of video, so hubcaps and luggage rack are missing in video.)

ENGINE:

The less reliable and underpowered 1098cc engine was replaced with the later more advanced and reliable 1275cc engine. When driving this car you really can feel the positive impact by having the slightly larger engine, as the car performs stronger and has noticeably more power.

The engine looks spectacular as you can see in the images, and it runs even better. A little choke and one crank- then you’re off to the races. She idles like a dream and runs like a sewing machine. Even though this is a classic British engine (and leaks a little oil in my garage), there are certainly no pressing issues keeping her from running every day.

New carbs were just installed a few months ago making this engine even more reliable and making it run even better. Also, all the belts were replaced at the same time, along with new spark plugs, and a new valve cover gasket (valves look wonderful).

The battery was replaced on June 14th, 2016.

TRANSMISSION/ CLUTCH/ DIFFERENTIAL:

This car is outfitted with the original four speed transmission, which does show some age as it can be a little noisy in first and on occasion will jump out of second. However, because so many of the Austin Healey’s are noisy in first and jump out of gear, I don't think it shows any pressing issue. There are no grinding noises in the gears or any evidence of pressing issues. Down the road work may need to be done on the transmission, but for now it should be fine.

The axles were removed recently and the wheel bearings were inspected, along with the axels and they both look good. Differential is fully operational and needs no current service. There isn't any clunk or noise coming from the differential or rear axles and the U joints look good.

The clutch was replaced a few months ago and is fully functional and feels great. The master cylinder also was replaced at this time and it too is in great condition.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

The engine compartment looks great and there aren't any large rust places. The battery is in good condition and is a couple weeks old. We replaced the starter solenoid a few months ago.

The headlights might need new bulbs/ a little work to get them to be functional.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

The trunk compartment looks great and there are no large rust places. The car comes with spare tire and original spare wheel- also with the original spare jack. I believe the wires leading to the rear tail lights for the brake lights and blinker need a little work, as the rear lights don't currently work.

EXTERIOR SHEET METAL, BODY PANELS:

The sheet metal and body panels on this car are all in surprisingly good condition. There is some surface rust in many places underneath the car, but for the most part it is only surface rust. I haven't found any holes in the floorboards, engine compartment, trunk, or any other area. The rocker panels and doors also are in great condition without any rust. The doors open and close perfectly and there isn’t any sag. Overall the underside and the car in general are in great condition rust-wise.

CHROME:

No significant scratches, rust, or any abrasions on the chrome. Most of it (especially the gas cap) looks great, and likely wouldn't need re-chroming even for a “full restoration”. Of course it does show some age with light scratches or tiny spots on the chrome, but on the whole the chrome is really good. The luggage rack was painted over and is no longer chrome but silver paint.

PAINT:

This car was repainted a few months ago, and a painted-on racing stripe was added. The paint job isn't show quality, but it isn't bad at all. It is a good overall paint job, but certainly not perfect.

GLASS:

There isn't any broken glass, and it all looks pretty good. The door windows are fine and wind up and down easily (driver’s window is a good bit tighter than passenger side). Vent windows are in good condition function as well.

CHASSIS/FLOORS:

The chassis and frame have surface rust in places have no pressing rust issues that I or a professional mechanic could find. Sure there is some light surface rust, but there is certainly no rust of any magnitude. There is also surface rust on the floorboards, but nothing too bad at all. The mechanic who inspected the car said the frame and body were very straight.

INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:

The previous owner told me the car still had the original interior, and it sure does look great. As you can see in the pictures there are no rips or tears whatsoever in the leather on the seats or panels. This backs up what I was told by the previous owner about how well this car has been taken care of. The seats have very faint fading on the backs (as they are 50 years old), but still sit great and look/ function just fine. The interior is certainly one of the biggest highlights of this car as it is not only in great condition- but original too!

DASH AREA:

The dash board looks nice and was repainted when the body was repainted. The car still has the original leather-wrapped steering wheel. All original gauges are intact and the only non-working gauge is the speedometer- all the other gauges appear to function just fine.

TIRES & WHEELS:

This car comes with the original wheels and the spare. All the chrome hubcaps look great and shouldn't need to be re-chromed any time soon. I believe the tires were replaced within the last two years, and they are in good condition. Plenty of tread is there and they hold air fine.

SUSPENSION/BRAKES/STEERING:

The suspension and brake systems are complete without any missing parts. The front bushings probably should be replaced pretty soon as they are leaking a little grease. Other than that they seem fine and ride nicely.

The front brakes were serviced within the last year. The rear brake shoes and brake cylinders are all new. A new master cylinder was installed on this car a few months ago. The rear brakes were done recently by professionals, and new lines were installed. The brakes have been bled and now function perfectly. The rubber hydraulic lines (front and back) are all new. The emergency brake wire is frozen and needs grease, but after a little grease it should work fine (it worked before the winter).

The steering works fine, but the front end might needs some work for more than driving around town. The two main things needing to be done on the front end are bushings and kingpins as explained to me by a local shop.

MISCELLANEOUS:

This British sports car is fifty years old, and I do my very best to be completely honest and upright about the condition. That does not mean things can change or possibly be in poor condition without my knowledge. I full heartedly believe this car is in pretty good, original condition, but I cannot guarantee the condition so I am selling it “as is”. There are various non-functioning things such as many lights, the wipers, and other things that work on and off such as the fuel gauge- but on the whole the car is functioning and in good condition.

As of this writing Hagertys used car values lists the 1966 Austin Healey Sprite at $7,400 average condition, $4,000 fair condition and $10,200 excellent condition. ($16,600 for concours condition). NADA values the 66 Sprite at $4,325 low, $7,825 average and $15,100 high.

This car is in average or above average condition, and I would love to see someone get a great looking Sprite this spring/summer at a great price!

PAPERWORK:

Comes with a clean North Carolina title and registration. It will also come with a bill of sale. We currently have NC modern and vintage plates for the car. The modern plate is registered with the DMV, but it is allowed to be inside the car with the vintage plate actually mounted.

INSPECTION OF CAR:

Inspections and test drivers are welcome and encouraged at any time before the auction ends by bidder or third party.

SHIPPING:

Shipping or collecting the car is the buyers responsibility. I will be more than happy to assist the buyer in arranging shipping/ pickup. The car likely could be driven away locally, but for long distances I would recommend shipping/ trucking.

PAYMENT & BIDDING:

Please contact me if you are reasonably new to eBay and don't have many feedback ratings. A $500 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 3 days via wire transfer, mail with a bank cashiers check, or in person pickup with a check. Full payment is to be made before or while collecting the car. This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Please contact me if you’d like to come inspect/ take the car for a test drive.