Austin Healey Sprite (1966)
for sale
Price: US $3,000.00
Price: US $3,000.00
1966 Austin Healey Sprite (Merry)
Ebay only allows so many pictures. If you open the YouTube video at the bottom of this listing on YouTube itself, then read the video description, you will see a link to a LOT more pictures. You may have to cut and paste the link into your browser.
This nice example of Austin Healey’s Sprite has been a
Southern car its entire life. It has been owned by the same family for the past
30 years, being garaged for the vast majority of that time. Speedwell has maintained the car off and on
all that time. The car was used primarily as a fun car for the owner’s wife to
drive from their house to their neighborhood pool in fair weather. The car
would sit all winter, then get refreshed each spring for its coming summer pool
duty. About 10 years ago the car was moved to from the owner’s home to their
farm in order to make space for a new BMW. Merry (the car’s name)
was put up in an enclosed concrete floor garage at the farm with plans to still
get her out and drive her. The new BMW has the home garage space now and going
to the farm to get Merry out for a drive proved to be quite inconvenient. As
you might have guessed, she just sat there out of sight and out of mind. Last
summer Merry was finally allowed to see daylight again and brought to
Speedwell. Our assignment was to refresh and revive Merry once more so she
could be road-ready and sold to her next custodian. The owners felt that the
car deserved better than to just languish in their farm garage and their hopes
are that she will go to someone who will drive her and give her the love she
deserves. In the past 30 years they had only driven her 5, 112 miles!
Speedwell performed the following services on the car:
Changed oil and filter
Drained the fuel and replenished with fresh ethanol-free fuel, changed the fuel filter
Installed fresh
spark plugs and wires, points, condenser, distributor cap and rotor
Changed
the oil in the gearbox and differential
Replace all
the flexible brake hoses, flush and bleed the brakes (the other components in the braking system had already been replaced just before her last hibernation)
Flushed the clutch
hydraulic system
Installed a new radiator, new coolant hoses and new anti-freeze
Installed a new generator and battery
Installed four brand new tires
Merry is now ready, once again, for country
lanes and sunny days.
Car condition
Cosmetics- This car’s body is surprisingly solid for its
age. The passenger door was replaced prior to the current owner’s time with the
car due to a parking lot mishap. The door fits well and operates perfectly. The
only giveaway is that there is a chip in the paint and it is green underneath. The
re-spray, which is about 35 years old, presents well but, as you will see in
the pictures, is showing its age. The only rust through on the car is a bit in
the driver’s toe board (see pictures) and the left rear lower fender behind the
tire. Otherwise this car is VERY solid. The interior was re-done about 20 years
ago and still looks nice, exhibiting a nice patina one would expect from a vintage
sports car. The current color is close to the original blue, which was bit a
bit more teal. The car comes with the proper top frame but no top, as the car
was only ever driven on sunny days. Speedwell can install a new Robbins top
prior to delivery if requested for an extra fee. All the glass is clear and un-blemished. The
side windows roll up and down easily and the door latches and catches work
properly.
Drivetrain- The engine runs like a sewing machine. We
checked the compression and all cylinders are within 5% of 150PSI. When the
engine is first started cold, the oil pressure is 60PSI and after it is
thoroughly warmed up it is 40PSI, which is very good. The transmission shifts
through all gears without an issue and makes no unusual noises. The clutch
engages smoothly and at the correct distance from the floor. The differential
has no leaks and runs out very smoothly as well.
Steering- All the bushings and front suspension parts are in
good condition. The steering is very quick and true. There is no pull and there
are no vibrations at any speed.
Electrical- The wiring harness is in good condition and
relatively unmolested. All the gauges work as do the windshield wiper, blower
motor and turn signals. The tach reads high but that is the only gauge that could
stand fussing with. The headlights work well along with all marker lights.
Here is a video of the car driving, what fun it is! Again, check video description on YouTube video for link to MANY MORE pictures of Merry including plenty of the underside.
1966 Austin Healey Sprite - YouTube
Video will open in a new window
Using the App? Paste link into a browser window:
[isdntekvideo]
Please email with any questions. The car comes with a clean
Georgia title and a bill of sale. A
$1000. Deposit is required via Paypal within 48 hours of auction end. Full
payment is required within 7 days of auction end. Car will need to be collected within 10 days
of auction end.
update: 2018-12-16
Condition: | Used | Year: | 1966 |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | 7065408695 | Mileage: | 85112 |
Interior Color: | Blue | Make: | Austin Healey |
Number of Cylinders: | 4 | Model: | Sprite |
Transmission: | Manual | Engine: | 1098 |
Body Type: | Convertible | Drive Type: | RWD |
Vehicle Title: | Clear | For Sale By: | Private Seller |
Exterior Color: | Blue |