Random # 92: Austin Healey Mk I 'Frog-eye' Sprite

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The images shown here pushed the HDR facility on the UMPH iPhone to their limits, leaving some badly blown-out highlights.  The garage in which the photos were taken was tight, too.  Nonetheless, the car depicted - a Mk I Frog-eye or, for American readers, Bug-eye, Sprite - was just too fabulous not to photograph.

 UMPH has known of the car for over 15 years, having struck up a conversation with its owner, Nigel, many moons ago whilst he was admiring one his other classics - an Austin Healey 100-4.  Back then, Nigel said the Sprite had belonged to his brother, who crashed it at the Baskerville racetrack, and that it had bee in a shed ever since, awaiting restoration. 


Now that the restoration's been completed, it would be hard to imagine a better looking Frog-eye, especially with its lovely Minilites and very stylish fibre-glass hardtop.  According to Nigel, the bolt-on roof is Australian-made and has been on the car almost since it was new.

 Nigel's mate Vic, who undertook the restoration and is responsible for the amazing duco, is deservedly pleased with the result.  He's also quite proud of the clever way he's converted the bonnet to a front-hinged design.  There's nothing obvious to show that it's anything but an original rear-hinged fitment.  






U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

All iPhone images.

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