1958 launch Frog Eye Sprite driven at Silverstone by Roy Salvadori.

Austin Healey on his love of fake tan - Sunday Mercury December 12, 2009

Daily MailHE MAY have shot to fame as a rough, tough rugby player, but Strictly Come Dancing put Austin Healey in touch with his feminine side. Strictly between you and me: The dancers spill the beans for Christmasall 3 news articles »

2011 Ford Fiesta - Auto Shows - Car and Driver December 02, 2009

Think tin-top equivalent of the original bug-eyed Austin-Healey Sprite, and you're pretty close. Our July 1977 road test stated “we can confidently say that and more »

Ramps is Strictly ready to go live - Burton Mail December 11, 2009

“Austin Healey will be the one to watch. He's a very fit guy and very agile. He will definitely be up there. Kelly Brook was unlucky to leave the show when and more »

1000 Miles Through Argentina in an Austin-Healey - New York Times November 21, 2009

I am driving a 1955 Austin-Healey 100/4 that a friend loaned to us, and we survived the 22-hour flight from Portland, Ore., to Bariloche.

Healy leads charity team to glory - National December 06, 2009

DUBAI // His training methods may not have been conventional, but the former British & Irish Lions utility back, Austin Healey, said his stint on the UK and more »

In 1976, Ford surprised U.S. buyers with a snazzy little subcompact hatchback called the Fiesta that pretty much knocked everyone’s socks off. Think tin-top equivalent of the original bug-eyed Austin-Healey Sprite, and you’re pretty close. Our July 1977 road test stated “we can confidently say that this car will exceed your every expectation.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Automobiles are just a little more complicated today than they were in 1977, and there’s a lot more competition at the small end of the market. But we confidently expect the latest Fiesta, debuting in U.S. spec at the L.A. auto show and due in showrooms in spring 2010, to stand out from the herd much as its ancestor did three decades earlier—particularly on the fun-to-drive scale.

The Car

The Fiesta is the production version of the Ford Verve concept , a small-scale traffic-stopper unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. We’re pleased to report that the wedgy visual dynamics of the show car have been watered down very little for showroom versions, although the Fiesta looks distinctly sexier as a hatchback than as a formal sedan.

Q:

Can a third seat be fitted into an Austin-Healey sprite?

Can any Austin-Healey Sprite MK II or later be modified to accommodate three people? I'm absolutely in love with these cars, but the exclusively two-seater accommodation is very restrictive.
(asked by john b on September 07, 801)

A: The question is academic - it wouldn't pass it's MOT even if you could fix one - and seat belts don't work well on the roof!
Regards. (answered by hayseed on September 07, 3469)

A: where would you find leg room for the third person? if that isn't a issue(they have no legs) yes you can fit a seat just don't hit anything while mounting it. (answered by Tom C on September 07, 4301)

Q:

1960 Austin Healey Sprite "BugEye" restored. How much would it be worth?

I have a 1960 Austin Healey Sprite "BugEye" that I am considering having restored. It doesnt run as of right now but if it were fixed up ,how much do you think it would be worth?
(asked by Evan on November 12, 2009)

A: As with any collector car, it all depends on;

A; Finding a collector even interested in owning a car like that - because nobody else will even look at it.

B; How rare the car is an how many of them are on the market when you are trying to sell yours?

And of course, how good the restoration is. Check e-bay for completed listings for bug-eyed sprites. Likely you'll see a few cars on there that sold, and how much their owners got for them. It's important to look at cars that sold, because asking price and selling price are often two very different things.

The question "What is it worth?" can always be answered "Whatever somebody is willing to pay. period." the car could be insured for more or appraised for more, but until you get someone to open their wallet, those numbers are meaningless.

One thing you can depend on, it will likely cost MUCH more to do an excellent restoration than the car will EVER be worth, even if you can do a quality job yourself. (answered by on November 12, 2009)

Q:

how much would an austin healey sprite car cost?

and can i get one in the U.S.? if so where? i have fallen in love with this car. it is too adorable.
(asked by Daky on September 07, 7298)

A: Love the healy's... Ive seen sprites as low as the 1000 dollar range but if you want even a decent all around running and driving example I would say from $3K (still pretty low on the scale) and up depending on condition...

Also forgot to mention you can find them in the U.S. ebay is a great spot to find a wide variety...

If you have the cash and want a pristine one.. I would check with classic auction houses and etc... (answered by 1000DollarAutos.com on September 07, 7968)