Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite Goes for a Drive

The Austin Healey Frogeye (or Bugeye) Sprite was a tiny British Sports car from BMC that spawned (pun intended) the MG Midget soon after.
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[@Odnet001]

My Dad had one of these here in Australia. He won a few Hill Climbs at Mount Panorama with my mum back in the day. He died last year from dementia but one of the few things he recognised in his last days was a picture of a sprite.

[@charliegardner6804]

So sorry god bless

[@dainsmart6237]

your mom and car together in memories that's all the love you need bless your family.

[@nygelmiller5293]

To I'd bet Touching story about your Dad! But he obviously did have class!

[@jeremypearson6852]

I sympathize, my dad passed from dementia in the UK in 2014 and my mother is currently suffering from the same condition at 91. An expat watching in Florida.

[@Richard-Bullock]

My father got one shortly after meeting my mother in 1973. When they met my father had a BSA 650 Lightning motorcycle. My mother pulled rank and ordered my father to get rid of the dangerous motorcycle, and get a much safer and more practical car. So he replaced that BSA with a Frog Eye Sprite! LOL.

[@paulcomer2266]

A 1958 bug eye was my first car when a junior in high school. Bought it out of a barn in winter with no top ,side curtains or windscreen as it had been driven under a semi in a parking lot. My mother wasn’t happy. A trip to a bone yard and $80.00 later and I was in business. I drove it to FLA in 67 on my 1st solo road trip from Ohio. Kept the car till I went to Vietnam. Loved the little thing.Paul

[@smoothmicra]

Classic cars currently fetching insane prices, but at least this one will always make you new friends. Children and 'the ladies' love this little antique!

[@grayfool]

As much fun as you can have on four wheels. The MkI Midget was somewhat more civilized though, It had stuff like door locks and a boot lid that opened,. I know, softy, girlie cars! Brilliant little things. Oh, I wnat one again.

[@StewSims]

Got to be the purest form of sports car IMO. Every now and again I do miss the MG Midget I had. Trouble is they rust like crazy and unlike the Frogeye values are so low most of them have been welded up on the cheap. Keeping it maintained was a constant battle. That said it's amazing how, by modern standards, such an 'unrefined' car can be so enjoyable to drive. Don't think there's ever been anything that quite comes close to these kind of cars. An MX5 maybe, I don't know I've never owned one, but nothing can beat these silly little British sports cars as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for bringing a taste of that kind of motoring to Furious Driving - maybe try a Midget sometime to compare or the rival Spitfire!

[@Banom7a]

I think JDM kei car roadster is probably the modern Midget/Sprite equivalent.

[@Boneshaker138]

I’m blessed to own a 1959 Bugeye . I live below Mt .Baldy in California . There is a area called San Antonio Heights here that is a joy to drive the Austin Healey on the twisty hills and narrow roads . The sound is so beautiful the Alpine doesn’t get played.

[@G1NZOU]

This is one of my favourite British sports cars, purely for how unapologetic it is about being a budget option. Yes lot of things were done for costcutting, but it's also incredibly simple, easy to work on, and lightweight with good handling. Combine that with the cute friendly styling and personally I think we have a winner. It's just a fun car and that's all anyone could ask for, a car that makes you smile without breaking the bank.

[@alancampbell1008]

At least if it's leaking oil you know there's still some in it... 😁

[@khew1]

Perfect. Working from home and on lunch then this video pops up 😃

[@glynjones2540]

Let me date myself - the great London bus strike lasted 6 weeks in May and June 1958 when we had to walk everywhere. One day I passed L.F.Dove Ltd, the Austin dealers in Croydon and, on their frontage on ramps was an Austin-Healey Sprite in what I think was Speedwell Blue. I can't say I was over-impressed and subsequent experience has confirmed that feeling. The car you tried was probably trying to be Speedwell lie but didn't look quite right on my screen.

[@tonys1636]

BMC were the worst out of all manufactures for having a colour match between paint batches. The different plants used several different paint manufacturers. Even the same black in the colour cards could be a different shade on two different cars. Having a panel repair and respray was pot luck that the body shop got an exact match when ordered from BMC's spares dept, often having to mix a match themselves.

[@bill8784]

We lived on a RAF married patch in the 60s and there was one family with two teenaged boys who had two of these on the drive permanently in a state of disrepair.

[@richardvoran5514]

Way back in the 60s, my teen years, I had an older cousin who had a lovely green one. Took me for an unapproved ride through some of the twisties of Ohio hills, at probably precarious speeds. Haven’t had that much fun since! Our moms were not amused 😄.

[@gryfandjane]

My, yes. This one was right in my wheelhouse, having owned a Midget for the past 27 years. These are wonderful little cars, but I wish my Midget 1500 sounded like that Sprite. The A-series should qualify as a musical instrument. Greetings as always from Missouri, USA.

[@rogerking7258]

I have wonderful memories of being driven around London during the sixties in my uncle's Frog. What a time to have been around. Now, I'm on my second Frog (after a gap of forty years), and I'm still loving it just as much.

[@trailingarm63]

Drove one of these at Classic Car Adventures out of Buxton, two weeks ago. Fantastic fun, constantly skating around, you need to rag it to keep up with modern traffic but it's quite happy with that. I'm six-foot and 95kgs and fitted into it very comfortably (didn't have the roof up). Great cornering ability. Driving around the Peak District everyone was entranced by it. More fun than the TR6, Morgan and MGB that I also drove although the MGB would be a better long-distance prospect.

[@shanehnorman]

Great little car, full of character and charm. This blue really suits it. However, too many owners - evidently, like those who owned this one - modified them for looks rather than better dynamics. Wire wheels are heavier than the standard steel items - and unsprung weight matters a lot in such a light car. Add radial tyres, for which it wasn't designed, and the car becomes too skittish on bumpy surfaces, as Furious noted. Not that the standard set-up is much good, but it shouldn't be that bouncy.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Always liked the Sprite and Midget over the MGB. This looks like a very nice example. Proves that driving at 40 mph can be fun.

[@richardfoulds816]

I lived with one for 10 years and in a short drive you summed it up so well. Such a bundle of fun! So nice to see one that’s not been messed around with.

[@willwelch5700]

I absolutely love these. Which is a shame, because I'm 6"3' and there's no way I'm fitting in one 😂😂 Great review, Matt 👍🏻

[@MrOvershoot]

I had a 1959 Frogeye Sprite & a 1966 MkII Midget for 25 years and I'm 6'3" and Rugby player build. You just need to fit some small clubman racing seats and its fine. There is more room in a MG Midget than a MkII MX5

[@sprezzatura8755]

​@@MrOvershootthank you for this good information. I'm 6'3 and 220lbs and considering mg midget.

[@Spookieham]

I bought a MK2 sprite easily 30+ years ago to do up but it was too rotten and I sold it for parts. Fast forward and I now have a 2001 mx5 which gives me the same smiles but much more civilised and reliable. Living in the 🌞 does help though.

[@robertmaitland09]

Proof that big power and speed isn't needed for big fun.

[@EdoDijkgraaf]

11:45 Whahaha! That rev counter. Brilliant! What a wonderful little car. Thank you for this insight. The Frog Eye has a new fan!

[@spodface12]

Heya Furious, Not sure if you have ever reviewed one of these little cars, but i picked up a childhood memory of a car for me ( nan used to have one and took me to school back in 97-2000 ) its a very early K reg low mileage Fiat Cinquecento base model , I am keeping it fully original as quite a few have been modified and there's only apparently 130 odd left on the road, I feel these little cars need more love as there is around 500 still sorn! love your channel and cars and all the best !

[@kevinnye5132]

How can you not love such an adorable face and eyes 👀, not you Matt 😁 but the fog eyed sprite 😉, such a fun little car , Noddy and Big ears would look right at home in it.

[@organiccold]

Such a cool car. Number 27 sold his last week, he had bigger modified engine in his.

[@richardkent]

There were no MG parts on the Sprite; mechanically it's an Austin A35. The twin carbs, wire wheels and front disc brakes were not standard fitment from the factory.

[@furiousdriving]

the MG took the Sprite and re bodied it, they are almost the same under the skin

[@emma.j.nation]

They all had twin carbs as standard, (and if you had plenty of cash, Healeys would fit wire wheels and disc brakes) though the ones on this example look like later HS2 1 1/4” rather than the earlier brass topped H1 1 1/8” type

[@paulbennell3313]

That looks indecently good fun and all at fairly legal speeds! The thought of disappearing with it surely crossed your mind?

[@michaeltutty1540]

Very neat video about a very interesting little car. They sure look a hoot, but at 6'2", I'm not so sure I would fit. I have found myself stuck part way into cars before this. Still, this car is proof it is more fun to drive a slow car quickly than a fast car slowly

[@emma.j.nation]

If you can squeeze in through the narrow door opening, there’s actually a reasonable amount of room inside; I have several Midget (same basic body shell) owning friends who are well over 6’!

[@thenewlife7588]

Beautiful car! I just purchased a very low mileage 2004 Mini and I love it. Great video. TY.

[@maxidyne]

My dad had one new in period! He had fond memories of this car. Drove very good and was so much fun. Great review as always Matt, enjoyed it!

[@passengerseatpodcast]

I'm so jealous! This is one of my dream drives, as with every child at a car show, these have caught my eye for years!

[@furiousdriving]

I wish Id bought one a couple of years ago when they were cheap, huge fun in a tiny package!

[@tonys1636]

They always looked better if the buyer forked out for the splined knock on wire wheels, just many didn't bother to pay the extra as was a whole Sunday spent just to clean them! Along with more expense if a rebuild of them was needed, luckily the roads were less pot holed in the 50's and 60's, with no exhaust damaging speed humps. I lost the love for them when BMC badge engineered them into the Spridget.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks for posting this! Adds further inspiration for getting my Bugeye done! Currently in the garage awaiting paint.

[@robertspeicher5047]

Remember how often I saw these cars. The MGs too. The Triumphs

[@giulianomarco]

You'd soon be good friends with your passenger using that handbrake! 😁

[@MrOvershoot]

My Girlfriend then Wife never complained 😉

[@robertbelasco3859]

I had never before seen an old Sprite(or Midget)in which 2nd gear synchro worked! Always had to double clutch all downshifts and go slow and carefully on upshifts

[@stevesrover]

Mmmmmmmmmmmm…. That whine the A series makes when you pull off. Love it!

[@edgeyt1]

I once had to lay in the 'boot' of my brother's Sprite when he picked me and our other brother up from school, our mum was not impressed - would have been about 1971 or 72.

[@fitzdiggers-562]

Best not to lever yourself in using the windscreen - you can break the screen / A pillar. Also, wire wheels were factory option. As were tacho, heater, demister vents and front bumpers! Brilliant cars. 👍❤️😎🗿

[@Ribeirasacra]

mmm from the opening shots.... A leaping frog😄🐸 The other cars you passed on the out of the business look great ones to est. Sit up and beg plus a Standard and contenders for a back to back The Wolseley and Riley 1500s. I hope you can make them happen.

[@spynles7947]

By the by Nicole Johnston drove one of these Stateside with a 478 Hemi conversion. (Nicole Johnson's Detour). Fun in both iterations daresay.

[@TijgerTim]

strictly speaking, it's the Midget that shared its underpinnings - and body - with the (Mk2.) Sprite

[@noblecommando4269]

I'm from America and I have experience working with British cars like this and I've seen probably about 4 or 5 of these things.

[@domsphotography]

My late step father bought and restored a Frogeye for his son for when he passed his test, it was then past onto his daughter who still has it.

[@nigelrudd670]

at least you feel as if you're flying 😎👍 the yanks like them ask Jay Leno 👍

[@furiousdriving]

They bought 3 times as many as us, they must have liked them!

[@frothe42]

Someone Down the road from me has an Austin-Healey Sprite. I believe his is red. Has a larger engine. He also has an MG TD. He likes his British classics 🇬🇧.

[@kins749]

What a lovely little car, if only I could afford it... and makes the best sound I've heard in ages

[@anon3988]

Looks tremendous fun. I hope to get one of these one day.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A great looking little car, a beautifal colour. Excellent review as always Matt.

[@malcolmlindley4465]

I had a 1961 model in ‘66 at age 19. This one seems to be: Missing front bumper, should have drums all round, steel wheels with chrome hubcaps with AH embossed. IIRC it had lever arm front suspension, not coils.

[@danielsartain6343]

Had a mk3 1966 sprite for my first car in 2010 and loved it and made the stupid mistake of selling it

[@MGBetts1]

Not a lot of people know this, but the famous "frog eyes" came about because the headlamps were originally intended to be retractable.

[@jeremypearson6852]

That’s the perfect car for running around the English country lanes on a summers day.

[@crusinclassicslucas6218]

Ummm you forgot to honk the horn :(

[@Flaming-Hedgehog]

Strangely there's quite a few of these here in Au for around £20,000 GBP. They're ugly as sin but I like them for reasons I can't quite explain.

[@cornishrider]

Fabulous sound!

[@peterriggall8409]

Beautiful example in lovely colour.

[@mikikum1]

Wow, thiis is one of the sweetest cars I've ever seen!

[@robertspeicher5047]

Wow. Watching the " tour ". No belts. Realizing how little protection in the event of a crash. Back, WE didn't think about that.

[@tinplategeektoo]

We used to get cars with bench seats front and rear in the 60's to fit all 8 of us! And yes seat belts weren't a thing to worry about. Thankfully a lot less traffic and most cars were extremely slow to go and stop. So people drove accordingly (mostly)

[@trackie1957]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@eggy1962]

Be interesting with the 1275cc not much messing to find out

[@lrs3]

These things are so ridiculously cute, they're hilarious

[@Graham_Langley]

Units error at 1:25

[@andysalter4473]

I was a marshall at a local Hillclimb a few years ago and am owner asked me ir I wouldn't mind driving his Sprite over to his van. I didn't fit behind the wheel, being a bit on the lardy side. Great little cars though.

[@bobagosto6441]

that sounds amazing!!

[@profrumpo]

Terrific review and what a beautiful example, love the colour too.

[@classics144sportscarschannel]

very nice little car

[@seancooke7332]

It is awesome. Why only build it for 3 years. They could have sold 100,000 of them. Sounds great. Perfect matching of bodywork and drivetrain.

[@furiousdriving]

It was a bit of a stop gap while other cars were developed

[@emma.j.nation]

Sales were starting to drop off by the end and, shocking as it may seem, the Frogeye looks and the lack of an opening boot put some potential buyers off.

[@Phiyedough]

They made the Sprite for 13 years but the Frogeye shape was only for 3 years, later ones were MG Midget shape.

[@deanprosser5224]

Love these little cars -)

[@petertrinder3127]

Great little sport cars

[@charliegardner6804]

Great video thanks for sharing 👍.

[@Thanos.m]

I recently read an article where someone swapped in a 1.8 VVC K-series engine with 190hp I can't imagine how that would feel

[@emma.j.nation]

There are quite a few! I used to have a K series MG Midget with 180bhp and it was such a great car (sadly stolen and burnt out ☹️). I now have a ‘standard’ K engined one, and a modified VVC engine waiting in the back of the garage … It’s difficult to explain, but even though it’s highly modified with lots more power than it started off, it still retains its essential ‘Spridgetiness’

[@Thanos.m]

@@emma.j.nation I'm sorry to hear what happened to your MG. I bet even with the standard K series it must be a riot

[@Cayres9]

I saw a tuned one of these on Top Gear years ago and it beat a lad in his tuned up 306 Gti lol he was so embarrassed ha ha

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Another very interesting vehicle on the channel most enjoyable well done 👍

[@reneegudjon3204]

Marvelous!

[@hectorshouse7348]

Love it

[@tommyolsen8224]

Cool car! Can you please test drive a Smart Forfour Brabus first gen 🤩🤩🤩

[@marmac567]

If that thing flips , it's all over..

[@TheShinyShow]

Hideous thing, but I suppose that makes it iconic

[@mickles1975]

"It's OEM" I hope you're suitably ashamed of yourself.

[@enoshimametals]

Don't be a women and leave the choke out and break down 😂 looks great fun and frightening at the same time

[@brusselssprouts560]

Cute of cuteness.

[@richardhowlett9424]

Proof ridiculous horsepower and speed are not needed , lightness and a well set up suspension are .

[@tomcook3860]

I was offered one of these cars in the 90s when i passed my car test it was in bits and needed assembling. It was for sale at £300. I wanted a car I could drive and declined. I should have bought in in retrospect and put it together.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I ask myself the question, 'have we really moved forward, honestly?' A crappy id3 weighs 4(????) Yes 4 times as much. Wtaf? We need kei cars regs in this country asap, or preferably 60 years ago!

[@danielsartain6343]

Also they don’t do too badly with a K series engine as a bit of an upgrade. wonder how the Vi engine in it would feel?

[@furiousdriving]

like a Saturn V was attached to the boot!

[@gryfandjane]

I once rode with a friend who had dropped a Chevrolet V6 in his Midget. It felt like that engine seized the car by the scruff of its neck and was flinging it around. In his defense, he used it for autocross; had a full roll cage, etc. Pretty slick piece of work!

[@joeseeking3572]

I wonder if you've seen the Hoovie video....

[@nigelh4617]

Goes like a startled nun.

[@rob5944]

Surely an engine enlargement is an easy enough proposition?

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Beautiful car, 0-60 irrelevant, top speed? doesn't matter, you had a ball!

[@LurcherVonPapsmear]

Anyone else notice poorly repaired rear accident damage when looking in from cockpit...?

[@lesklower7281]

The Austin Healy Sprite the cuetest car ever made

[@nygelmiller5293]

Lovely car - always loved them and always WILL! But in my opinion, virtually ruined by silly un-necessary tipping bonnet! Not only does this reduce strength of the front, in event of an accident, but makes it MORE DIFFICULT, ironically , to reach the engine, with having to crawl under the bonnet! And reaching the spare wheel from inside is virtually impossible! Other cars had an opening section, just for reaching the spare wheel. WHAT WETE THE DESIGNERS ON THIS THINKING! Also these days people sometimes TAKE DOOR HANDLES OFF for a more sleek appearance , but with a key fob to unlock a concealed door lock (Usually for American classics ' but well worth doing on this! I personally would also have the window frames permanently welded onto the doors , and some kind of locks fitted onto the sliding windows, to make this beautiful car less of a "thieves charter"! On the subject of the much- used A series engine - do you realise it was used in THIRTY-NINE completely different cars!

[@bustersw1760]

Also known as a sprog eyed fright.

[@stevenpollard5171]

When did the bug-eyed Sprite become frog-eyed?

[@furiousdriving]

It was always Frog eyed here

[@richardb7209]

You really should learn to double declutch. The gear box would sound a lot happier. Also. It’s not a race to change gear. Slow and smooth. Drive it like that all the time and the gearbox will probably explode. 🙄

[@furiousdriving]

I can but as this has synchro on the top 3 gears theres really no need, and having driven classics for 30 years with no failed gearboxes you might be overly cautious

[@davidhayes4814]

In case of an accident …… Don’t …..

[@mikecawood]

My mother had one, a 1958 year model. The 948cc engine which had 45hp was underpowered.

[@timonsolus]

Definitely a car not designed for today’s 6 foot+ men!