Austin-Healey
Sprite Mark II
1961 - 1964
Series HAN6 and HAN7
The
Austin-Healey Sprite Mark II was a clear styling departure from its rather quirky-looking
predecessor, the Bugeye. The headlights were moved to a more conventional location
in the "wings" (fenders to us Yanks), and a boot lid (trunk lid) was added to
make access to the boot more convenient. It is a handsome although certainly less
striking car.
There were two variants of the Mark II.
The first was the Series HAN6 model which retained the same 948 cc engine as the
Bugeye, although with three more horsepower at 46. 20,450 examples were produced.
Then in late 1962 the Series HAN7 was introduced. Although identical in appearance,
it had an important performance upgrade in the form of a 1098 cc engine that produced
56 hp, and the addition of front disc brakes to help handle the added power. 11,215
examples were produced. All Sprite Mark II models were roadsters, retaining side
curtains and an easily detachable folding top.
Dubbed
"Mark II" to differentiate it from the original Bugeye Sprite which was only retroactively
dubbed "Mark I," the Sprite Mark II had a nearly identical twin wearing the famous
MG octagon: the MG Midget. Beginning with this model and continuing throughout
the reminder of Sprite production (and beyond) the MG Midget was a slightly upscale
badge-engineered counterpart. Curiously, while the big Healey was a more expensive
car than the MGA and MGB that were produced contemporaneously with it, the MG
Midget was the more expensive, slightly upscale variant between the Midget and
Sprite.
Differences between the Sprite and Midget were,
however, few. Besides the different badge, the Midget had a vertical slatted grill,
thin chrome accent strips along the sides and on the bonnet, better seats and
flecked rubber floor mats. The original Midget is the counterpart of the Series
HAN6 Sprite, and the Midget 1100 is the contemporary of the Series HAN7 Sprite.
(Because of the nearly identical nature of the Sprite
and Midget, long ago someone combined the names to form "Spridget" to denote the
genre. This term stuck and is now used to describe all Sprites and Midgets combined.)
Just
like the Bugeyes, many Sprite Mark II models have been used - hard - in club racing
over the years, and consequently have been extensively modified and often significantly
damaged and repaired, sometimes repeatedly. Beware a car with a racing history.
Engine
swaps with later Sprites are also common, as are transmission swaps from later
models. However, these drivetrain swaps significantly upgrade the performance
of the car without changing its heritage or character - after all, the later engines
are merely further developments of the same Austin A-Series engine - and so few
would object.
Because of all this, despite the high number
of Mark II Sprites produced, strictly original examples are now somewhat difficult
to find.
Upside: Great fun-to-expense ratio. Everyone
loves them. Easy to maintain. Still a large and vital spare parts and aftermarket
support base in place. Available for less money than a Bugeye, while still delivering
the same great driving experience.
Downside: Still
no creature comforts to speak of, and weather protection is still not the best.
Perhaps too cramped for taller drivers and passengers. Often mistaken for an MG
Midget, if that bothers you.
Bottom line: Although
a fine car in its own right, probably better to go for a later Sprite with better
weather protection and more power. Among the Mark II models, the Series HAN7 is
clearly preferable for its more powerful engine and front disc brakes.
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