The Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite is a Tiny and Cute 1950s Sports Car

When it comes to motoring, the United Kingdom is most known for its plethora of dinky little sports cars. But of them all, one stands out as recognisable to anybody - whether they like cars or not.
When Austin and Healey came together to make a tiny sports car in the late 1950s, none could have envisaged its longevity in the minds of the people thanks to one feature. Its frogeye or bugeye headlamps that sit atop its clamshell bonnet and big smiling face.
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[@TwinCam]

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[@coldlakealta4043]

the Sprite is the purest of all sports cars - everything you need and nothing you don't

[@HJPorschen]

agree 100%!

[@mYmUSICmILL]

Since over 50 years this is still my favourite car. It was just fun to drive, and it was reliable.

[@Abandoned_Brane]

Just bought one. Hasn't been on the road in over 40 years. Its a bit of a project car, but at least the body is completely rust free.

[@carlreading9916]

"The dashboard has everything you need and nothing you don't." How did we ever manage without a huge touchscreen plonked on top of the dash?

[@1st_Of_A_Kind]

Just get yourself a car without one - you won't miss it. Looking at new cars, it is amazing what manufacturers do to out-tech each other. My old Seat doesn't even have power brakes or independent rear suspension, and performance-wise it's basically the same as this Austin-Healey. And no, I don't miss heated and ventilated massaging seats, adaptive cruise control, or any of that 😉

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I got sick and tired of the ‘infotainment’ screen whirring up and down on my former Audi A6 company car, even though I could turn it off - bloomin’ thing still popped up when I changed the temperature on the climate control. Why? The dial on the climate control displayed the temperature. I just couldn’t face having a car with a touchscreen - I have a bit of OCD - the finger prints would drive me mad! I opted out of company cars, and now drive a 10 yr old car. I don’t miss any of the superfluous guff my old company cars had……..sadly, at some point I may be forced to have an EV - I just hope there’s one that just displays range, speed the inside and outside temperature, and not much more!

[@johnpearson492]

Last year I decided to daily drive my 62 Sprite for all of spring thru fall. I found the same thing. It has everything you need and nothing you don't. I loved driving it sun or rain and so did everyone that crossed it's path. I too really dislike infotainment in cars. I stare at a screen all day at work, I don't want to have to look at one in my car. Hence I own the Sprite and three cars from 1999.

[@grayfool]

The very definition of a sports car. Simple, light, and HUGE fun. Fire one of these up on a sunny day (if it's raining, just don't) and you will have to drive it flat out wherever you go. I had a MkII sprite in the very late seventies and it was the most fun you could have on four wheels. A friend had a similar car to mine but stripped out to a bare shell with just the seats in it. It also had a tuned 1275 engine puffing out around 90HP. We nearly killed ourselves in that a few times! Oh my god, I want another like, right now!

[@joshbacon8241]

Exactly. It’s proof that you don’t need eleventy-bajillion horsepower to have huge amounts of fun behind the wheel. As James May once said during his Fiat Panda review in Series 18 of Top Gear, “it’s not actually about how much power you have, it’s about how much power you can use.” …and cue all the young, immature Ferrari/Lamborghini fanboys - who likely aren’t even of legal driving age - who will probably disagree with that statement.

[@jjmartins6242]

Bought my 1960 Frogeye LAF901 in 1970 with 60,000 miles on the clock. Same blue as the video. Three week camping holiday in France in 1972 with my girlfriend, now wife, and all our camping gear.. Restored it in 1974 and brought it to New Zealand with me. Sadly, sold it in 1980. Such happy memories.

[@tedecker3792]

Never had a Sprite, but had 3 Midgets (63,68,&76). Still remember parking on the street and stepping UP to the curb!

[@richardvoran5514]

Oh my, memories! Somewhere around 1960 my cousin had one of these, in green (not British racing green), and he took me for a ride. Of course he chose some rather hilly twisties, exactly what the car was made for, and I had a wonderful time. Wasn’t allowed to drive it as I didn’t have a full license yet, but the ride was memorable! Thank you for sharing this icon with us.

[@flightmarine]

It was probably leaf green.

[@richardvoran5514]

@@flightmarine Sounds about right. Thanks!

[@malcolmlindley4465]

I had a 1961 Frogeye in Leaf green. Unfortunately it was fairly rotten when I bought it in 1967, at age 19. I kept it going for 4 years, but it finally rotted under me. Thoroughly enjoyed it though!

[@tonycamplin8607]

They're really great cars, I've owned mine, a dark green 1958 one since 1966, a very long time. Before I bought it it was a Beaulieu exhibit sponsored by the AA called vintage cars of the future. I'm, or was, 6ft 3ins tall and I fitted in perfectly, bolting the seat directly to the floor without its runners did help. It was my everyday car and for a time highly modified with a larger engine and disk breaks etc., I had it round the clock three times, just proving that you can't take odometer readings for granted. In its "hay day" when I raced it it was painted yellow and purple. Its now back to its original spec just as it left the factory with the original matching numbers engine etc.

[@altaclipper]

When I was a kid, Japanese cars didn't exist but we had British cars (in Canada) all over. Triumphs and MRS were pretty common.. I loved them.

[@Richard-Bullock]

My dad got a frog eye back in 1973/4. When he first met my mum he had a bike. BSA 650 Lightning. As soon as they got engaged, she put her foot down and made him get rid of the bike. So he did. And got a very impractical sports car instead! I don't think he had it long before he swapped it for a Mini Cooper S.

[@acward2007]

Wow that was brilliant, not just the car but the presentation. Big thumbs up 👍.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

So envious of my friends across the pond. I absolutely love British cars. Especially the sport cars

[@classicminidetails8887]

The indicator lenses are definitely off the mini parts shelf, good old BMC

[@tonys1636]

A 35, the Minor (pre 65), BMC universal parts bin had many different hands diving in it.

[@Liam1H]

And the tail lights are fitted to the Jag XKSS. They were installed "upside" down on the Jag (or were they upside down on the sprite?), but they're the same part. Hard to believe those two shared anything other than their country of origin. I'm not putting the frogeye down, I own one, but the difference in what those two sell for today is beyond belief.

[@tonys1636]

@@Liam1H The Lucas parts bin, along with the gauges being the Smiths bin, other manufacturers used the Jaeger parts bin, cheaper than designing and manufacturing ones own. Jaeger for the top end marques.

[@keithjones6023]

Decades older in years, but still has more character than an MX5!

[@andrewstones2921]

It’s impossible not to make comparisons with the MX5, at least with the early versions of the MX5. They both addresses the same market, but you have to acknowledge that the MX5 was a massive success and brought motoring pleasure to millions. The Frogeye sprite has more character for sure, but I remember how utterly miserable the open top midgets were in the winter and in rainstorms and the frogeye sprite would have been even worse, especially if you didn’t spec the optional heater.

[@keithjones6023]

The comparison between the Frog Eye and the MX5 is typical of any cars built in the 50's (my favourite era of cars) and their modern day equivalents. So much style and character in cars built in that time, even with the most basic models.

[@user-pl7sf9qm9o]

The choke is on the left because thats the sidengine where the carbs are. No long cold wet, cable runs to get mucky and corrode.Sarting was less reliable in 1958 so the mixture had to be set carefully before engaging the starter cos the battery might give only a couple of attempts before dying on a cold wet early morning. My Frogeye slept outdoors so the morning routine often included removing the paraffin burning engine warming lamp I had placed under the bonnet the previous evening.

[@mrbennetts]

Three dislikes, Ed ! This is the beginning of the end ! How anybody could dislike any of your really excellent videos is beyond me.

[@johnwunderlich7491]

Thank you.. a trip down memory lane. I can remember seeing a bug-eyed Sprite on my way to grade school. A twin to the car you so ably review, but in a small town in the Midwest. U.S.

[@RobinTheMini]

Maybe in her most iconic colour!

[@flightmarine]

Irus Blue

[@bcfairlie1]

This is a lovely example. Such a cute design

[@warrenny]

Austin Healeys are among my favorite cars. It's nice to hear interesting history of these beautiful cars.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

We call these “Bug-Eye Sprites” in the US. I remember hearing about how great these cars were as a kid, and then doing my research and being shocked at how little horsepower they had. But what they lacked in horsepower, they made up for in staying power. Lovely design, lovely car, and lovely video about it!

[@andrewd7586]

Bug eye in Australia too.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

@Alfred Wedmore Sprites have *43hp*, though. Not even half of 90. And torque matters, too. Also, modern F-150s are 1.9 to 2.3 tonnes. Not 3.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

@Alfred Wedmore Well, I was referring to the car in the video. I know that later Sprites got more powerful. But if we’re going to make a useful comparison, comparing power to weight of a heavily modified car making twice its original horsepower with a stock vehicle, isn’t quite a clear set of reference points. I can just as easily compare a Sprite running on only 2 cylinders to a Roush-tuned F-150, but it wouldn’t be that helpful. And torque does matter. Trucks like the F-150 are tuned for pulling power, which requires a more torque-focused engine setup. Sports cars are tuned for carving curvy back roads and tracks, which necessitate engines tuned more for horsepower. The truth is, a Mk 1 Sprite in original condition would go from 0-60mph in about 15 seconds. A current base F-150 gets to 60 in under 7 seconds.

[@dinoallbaugh2050]

I had a '61 while i was in the Us Navy(1962-66) stationed in San Diego California a fun car!!

[@ianrodgers5178]

I have one of the last registered frogeyes. March 1st 1961. In Birmingham England. I have put a 1275cc engine bored out to 1330cc with disc brakes on the front. Which means I can now go up hills AND stop. The original steering wheel, 2 spoke not on your one. Was from Donald Healeys speed boats. Great video

[@nicholascrocker4329]

Happy memories. Had one in 1971 when I was 19, at which point it was a rust bucket 😢. Would like the latest Mazda MX5 but, unlike the Frogeye, I’m too tall to sit behind the wheel 😳.

[@simonvancoevorden295]

Try a Mk3 MX5 , it’s got more legroom. I’m 6ft 3 & fit fine & you can get seat lowering brackets for them

[@unbalancedcrank]

My first car. Back in hen, it was merely “small” nowadays it’s almost a microcar, and an Austin Westminster is smaller than a Focus! What have we become?

[@360Crank]

My first car as well. 1973, I was 16, and it had the 1275 Midget engine- good for 100mph even, though it wasn’t entirely happy doing it. I wore a pork pie hat to tame the hair 40 years before the invention of the “hipster”. The only car I ever truly loved.

[@bimbobaggypants4820]

Cars have become bigger over the decades, a "small' car now is like a medium sized car of the past. The new VW Polo looks to be around the size of a mk 2 or mk3 Golf. The funny thing is that parking spaces are still the same size despite cars getting bigger.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Another good review, Ed. I hope it's an indication that your health is looking up again and you've been able to leave the sickbed. Carry on!

[@andrewstones2921]

Great review, thank you very much. Sadly I don’t think the world will see such a simple and pure sports car again, these may have been very cheap but the truth of course is that they disinterested in front of the owners eyes with a few years of use and those engines in normal use really did not last long. I remember seeing one of these for sale in the 70s for 100 pounds and the body looked ok but it had failed the MOT on a massive number of structural points. Of course with hindsight I wish I’d bought it and fixed it.

[@neilpickup237]

Austin Healey always sounded superior and 'classy', yet it was reserved for the trim level BELOW the already rather basic (even for the day) MG Sprite version I remember from the 1970s!

[@AndrewKNI]

Nice one Ed. Great video. The Sprite is just so cute. Love the blue paint. Bet it makes everyone smile :-)

[@vintageracer25]

A friend had one in high school in the late '60s. A third occupant would have to squirm into the lair behind the seats!

[@Lot76CARS]

Super film, great on details and well produced

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Relaxed yet commanding commentary

[@markcreed9745]

What a lovely review of a charismatic and cute little sports car. Many thanks.

[@selwyntracey3871]

Wow thanks for that review. I had one and it was so much fun. Wish I still had it.

[@jht68]

Owned one of these, brilliant little car, loved it. Sure, basic and constructed from everyday components, but the fun factor was way above the sum of the components. Drove it for 2 years. Sadly it caught fire and was destroyed.

[@stockarboy]

In my part of the USA these are known as 'Bug Eye' Sprites, but I can see why 'Frog Eye' is also appropriate.

[@hoodagooboy5981]

Hey BBC!!! Put this bloke on Top Gear.

[@michaelhorner2722]

Enjoyable video.

[@ChimeraActual]

A classic, thank you. BTW, over here in the 'States we called them Bug Eye Sprites.

[@rogerking7258]

I've just become a Frogeye owner again - after 40 years without one. It is still the most fun car to drive that I've ever had. Even back in the 70s people would sometimes want to talk about my old one, but now, I can't go anywhere without becoming engaged in conversation. I was recently sitting at traffic lights when a group of schoolkids, who probably had no idea what it was, told me how fabulous it was. And my grandchildren think it's the coolest car they've ever seen. We have an EV for a main vehicle, but the Frog is actually perfectly practical to use on longer journeys - oh......and it's depreciation proof. As for being small, our EV physically won't fit in the garage even though it is only medium sized by modern standards, but the Frog goes in and my wife can still ride her mobility scooter down the side of it.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great review Ed, a really enjoyable video on a lovely cute looking sports car.

[@cluricaun78]

Another amazing, informative and entertaining episode. And you're right, that car is crazy cute

[@davidw6469]

Beautiful car. Excellent video.

[@objectiveobjective1948]

Lovely car and as it's so light it's like riding a wasp in your mind. 👍vid

[@peterpowder8546]

I have a 1960 bugeye! Supercharged and numerous other upgrades while keeping it “proper“ and not bastardized. I am 6’4” and actually fit (once inside). Wonderful little car

[@shannondudley3757]

Give Ed a tv show. Right now. 👍

[@TwinCam]

Hahaha thanks mate :)

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Beautiful little car - if only modern cars could still be so compact, simple and fun to drive!

[@RickGTI2019]

Here in the colonies we called it the “bug eyed sprite “, but what the hell do we know LOL…love the video, the car, and the sound of the switches clicking into place rather than electronic touch screen. Your a little old school, and that’s a good thing. Keep up the good work !! Thanks, RickGTI….. 🇺🇸

[@TwinCam]

Thanks again Rick 🙂

[@lr_s3102]

Really enjoyed this video! I want a Frogeye even more now

[@flightmarine]

give me a call!

[@johnrayner1643]

I had one. In Australia they were called the Bug-eye Sprite.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Well done, Ed. Love these little beasties. They certainly are iconic. A great exemplar of superb design. Keep up the good work.

[@frothe42]

I believe that someone down the road from me here in upstate New York has one; his being red. He also has three other BMC/BL vehicles; an MGB, MG TD, and the Nash Metropolitan. The Nash was developed with the Austin A series four cylinder engine! If you could get ahold of one it would make an excellent review! Another excellent review of a classic Austin Healey!

[@plym1969]

Great informative and entertaining video 🙂

[@WalterKoren]

Excelent presentation. Beautiful vehicle. Congratulations.

[@THESLlCK]

These were most commonly known in the United States for fitting small v8 engines around 6.5 liters in size. The only issue is that often the entire drivetrain was strengthened as a result of the new engine, but the poor little chassis couldn’t handle the force without reinforcement, and thus would twist over itself like a ram horn. The hood would often be facing 90 degrees in the direction the engine was formerly turning. Quite a spectacle to see. Not the only car this happened to.

[@ihopetowin]

Minimal design perhaps, but a profoundly inspiring, fabulous little car.

[@TwinCam]

I think the minimalism makes it!

[@shankarbalan3813]

I really like as always your attention to detail and the respect for old cars that shines through..

[@CB-jk3ue]

Efficient use of materials, space, and energy can give a wonderful experience

[@2loudspeakers]

Great video, really enjoyed it!

[@andy40456]

Great video! Keep em coming.

[@jak1osw]

Great video of a great little car. Your videos are so well presented and have so much information!

[@damianoneil1078]

Great video, gorgeous car

[@simonvancoevorden295]

Well done! A great review .

[@doktoruzo]

Great review of a lovely little car Ed. Well done

[@keithmone8982]

I've always heard and called them "Bugeye" Sprite. I had one for a while. The 900cc engine made me chuckle.

[@rescue270]

American enthuiasts called them "Bugeye Sprites." In Britain, they call them "Frogeye Sprites."

[@ianvicedomini2648]

Incredibly well presented video mate. I should feel proud of myself with the picture you presented a short while ago. Something told me it was a frogeyed sprite 😉

[@simply_psi]

Nice video, well produced and giving true reverence to a genuine British classic, thanks

[@mikeenglish6401]

Hi Ed Once again, excellent vlog! Mike

[@lotusespritturbo]

nice review ... thank you

[@michaelhalsall5684]

One of the most endearing features of this Sprite and later A. H. Sprite and MG Midget ("Spridget") models was that were very easy and cheap to work on. This made them popular in club lever motorsport. There are some still competing in historic motorsport. A popular modification, even on road going ones, was fit a rollover bar which improved safety and added structural strength to the chassis.

[@nigelholmes6995]

Outstanding video - professional in every way! This man has a future on television. Bring it on.

[@thomashiggins4923]

That was such a great review of the Frogeye - thanks a million (from a former MGA and MGB owner, but I've always hankered after the sprite).

[@WilliamParmley]

Excellent! Well researched, well done, well presented!

[@iansutherlandcraig]

My dad had one of these, in that blue, when my mum and him were married.

[@campingkillen]

Thank´s Ed for another great review! Anyone else noticed that amazingly dodgy weld job at the frame rail.....

[@flightmarine]

Great vid Ed and a load of nice comments. Keep up the good work and hope you are feeling better now.

[@flightmarine]

Car is now for sale.

[@philiprodney7884]

Thanks Ed. A brilliant video. What about one on the Morgan?

[@jetsons101]

Great watch, thanks. YEAR back a good friend "mate" had a bug eye with the front durm brakes so we went to a junk "breakers" yard and got front disks off a MG Midget, perfect fit. Top notch video, great narration and information. Thanks and have a great day....

[@stevenlawrie7819]

Brilliant Ed as usual. Your enthusiasm for older cars is catching and belies your years. Thanks for making my day with your knowledge. Steve.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Steven 🙂

[@Thereishope664]

With the correct steering wheel the dials are more visible.

[@flightmarine]

@@roygardiner2229 Depends on how tall you are and where your hands are!

[@garysimpson3900]

My first car was a 1979 T registered MG Midget which I bought in 1984. I always promised myself one if I passed my Solicitors exams. Watching this article I am so sorry I sold it on all those years ago.

[@iainbarclay6495]

Wow ! I owned one & it was even the same colour. The engine in mine had some stage 3 tuning bits fitted to the engine & it was a seriously fun car to drive. Later on I had an early model Triumph Spitfire which had the same sort of fun drive-ability but a bit more interior finish.

[@johnsonrj74]

Nice review. As a current owner of both a '59 Sprite and a '61 MGA i can confirm they are very different cars. The MGA is more elegant and the Sprite is pure fun. Both though are magnificent and i adore them

[@Danny_Boel]

good video about a very rare car. But a bit sad you didn't get to drive it.

[@themaster3139]

Weird coincidence I finally got all my pannel parts for my 62 midget yesterday and this gets uploaded today awesome timing

[@HerrBjork]

It surprises me that it was so cheap when it has everything you want in a British sportscar: A responsive engine, a satisfying transmission (though it should ideally have had synchro on all gears), good enough brakes, lightness, road-hugging suspension, everything the bureaucrats want, and nothing else

[@johnnyfuglestad349]

love to see a video about Lotus elite and elan utterly british and at the time the best there where.

[@Jones-xx2gc]

Getting to like older cars more and more.

[@flightmarine]

Thanks

[@ianalderton6683]

I always thought that the front bumper was an extra? My mum had one of these (same colour : ) when I was very small which was handy as my brother got the passenger seat and I sat in the middle ! ! would like to get one . . maybe . . if the right one comes up : )

[@flightmarine]

Hi Ian, There was actually a moulded cushion that fitted over the tunnel. I saw one at a Goodwood Breakfast meeting this year (2021) when I took my Frog!

[@lotharroberts5978]

For what it was designed for, it's the perfect car.

[@dimadee]

Well done. Totally informative...makes me want to own one. Oh hang on, I do :-)

[@orange70383]

Excellent'

[@darwinskeeper421]

I have only one quibble, the "universal nickname" used for this car depends on which side of the Atlantic you're from. While the British call the Austin-Healey Mk I Sprite the "Frogeye Sprite", we Americans call it the "Bugeye Sprite". An amazing little sports car by either name. Other than that it was a great video. It even forced me to use my google-fu and discovered that the MGA actually had a frame and did not have monocoque construction as I had thought.

[@rovercoupe7104]

It’s in the best colour. M.

[@anthonymcandrew529]

Another excellent video... thank you! We will probably not see the Sprite's like again, if only because of modern safety & pollution regs plus modern drivers' need for greater creature comforts would mean it would have to bigger, heavier & more expensive.

[@vinnydaq13]

Love these , Triumphs, and MGs, but being 6’ 2” tall, I can’t fit in any of them except the MGB, which has a surprising amount of leg room! P.S. - in the U.S. we called this car the bugeye Sprite.

[@flightmarine]

I am 6'3" and fit... have to sit a bit frogish!

[@vinnydaq13]

@@flightmarine With your knees up around your ears? 😄

[@flightmarine]

@@vinnydaq13 No John surprisingly. An example is.. I can sit in the passenger seat, legs streached out and just touch the front panel. I wear 34" trousers (length). Driving is legs slightly apart, but not cramped. Car is for sale, should you be interested?

[@vinnydaq13]

@@flightmarine I wish I had the money for it.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Surprised they only made them for three years as in my yoof they were pretty ubiquitous. The closely related "proper" Sprite had a more conventional grille/headlight arrangement, bumpers and a bootlid and also pretty soon got the 1098 cc A-series.