1967 Austin Healey 1275 Sprite One Owner Survivor Stored in S. Carolina Since 82

Further cleanout of surplus vintage cars and parts: This is a no reserve auction and the Sprite will be sold regardless of price, on or off auction.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This particular auction is for an original authentic, excellent running and driving, matching numbers, vintage 1967 Austin Healey Sprite roadster in it's original colors as shown. It is NOT a typical run of the mill clapped out Sprite or one that has had years of sins covered over by a "restoration". It is an honest unmolested original survivor. 1967 is a desirable year model partially because of the robust and dependable 1275 engine and ribbed case transmission. Includes a British Motors Heritage Certificate authenticating it's matching numbers. It was sold new to a lady in Charleston South Carolina and has stayed in the same family since 1967. She had the engine professionally rebuilt in 1982 and drove it for less than 200 miles, whereupon it was parked in their climate controlled garage and not used since then. We purchased it from the original lady owner about 2 months ago. ( I am technically the 2nd owner). Obviously has had good care from the family over the past 49 years. Manufactured in April of 1967. Serial number HAN9-L/68135. Engine number 12CC-DA-H/7137. Original factory colors are black exterior with a red interior and black convertible top. Original factory fitted equipment was disc wheels, heater and windscreen washer. Original shipment from the factory was to Charleston, South Carolina. I do not detail my cars for sale but I DO wash and clean them so that you and I can clearly see the good and bad points. Nothing is hidden from view under years of filth. I will answer all email questions and take additional photos of any specific area on request.

ENGINE:

Less than 200 miles on a completely rebuilt original 1275 engine. Runs EXTREMELY well, smooth and quiet with excellent oil pressure and compression - compression is 150 psi straight across. No smoke, no noises, no overheating. Starts and runs immediatley as normal with the ignition key. Because of long term storage the carburetors were disassembled, cleaned and adjusted. Same for the fuel lines and fuel tank. A new dependable 12 volt American electric fuel pump was installed. Lovely soft raspy, strong exhaust note. I see no oil leaks anywhere - unusual.......yes, the oil level is full and the old oil is still as clear as new.

TRANSMISSION/ CLUTCH/ DIFFERENTIAL:

The original standard 4 speed ribcage transmission engages and shifts perfectly with no grinding or noises.....I suspect it may have been overhauled and a new clutch installed at the same time the engine was rebuilt. A new hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder were replaced recently due to the long term storage. The differential is noise and clunk free. All U joints are tight.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Very original and straight with no damage and is clean and complete. There are two small holes corroded through in the firewall exactly where the positive and negative posts of the battery are located - a common minor mishap with these cars. The battery box itself is in excellent solid condition with the exception of one two extremely small isolated pinholes on the bottom.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Original paint. Nice and solid. Includes spare tire/wheel and original jack.

EXTERIOR SHEET METAL, BODY PANELS:

All panels are nice with the exception of the following: The very bottom of some of the lower panels have a few minor isolated areas of rust as shown in the photos - nothing of magnitude and easily patched or used as is - the rust has not moved on to other internal hidden areas - what you see is the only rust that is there. Being in a climate controlled garage for the past 34 years helped curb any rust invasion issues and the underside, chassis and floors are like brand new. Doors open and close very well - no sag or other problems. Underside of doors are extremely solid with no rust.

CHROME:

What little chrome there is on these cars is in very good useable condition. The chrome on the luggage rack is toast. Lots of flaking.

PAINT:

Has had one amateur paint job around 1981. Looks great from a distance but is a cheap repaint typical of the period with it's scratches and blemishes. Still shines up nice and attractive but it is what it is.

GLASS:

All of the glass is good - nothing broken. Door windows are good and wind up and down easily. Vent windows are good and function well.

CHASSIS/FLOORS:

One of the best features of this car. It is by far one of the best, most solid chassis, underside and floors I have seen. I can see no rust anywhere. Straight as an arrow with no damage or rust. The seats were removed to show the almost perfect condition of the floors - shown in a number of photos. 34 years of indoor storage shows here.

INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:

The carpeting was replaced once and needs replacing again. The owner made up her own carpet kit with a bunch of pieces glued together. Lot of credible effort used with fairly poor results. The seat covers are held together in a few hand stitched places - still useable but would look much classier if replaced. Included are the original black vinyl convertible top boot cover and the original tonneau cover - the tonneau will need a new zipper. The convertible top is there and decent but the rear window is out and so the top needs to be replaced. The folding top bows are original and are in excellent order. Fully functional, clean and no rust.

DASH AREA:

Still looks quite nice. Has a period wood steering wheel. All original gauges are intact and working.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None.

TIRES & WHEELS:

Tires are old Michelin XZX. Personally I would use them because they still look good and have decent tread - but that's me. The whitewalls are the period "portawalls" that can be easily removed without breaking down the tires - just release some air and pull them off - they are in fair condition only - I left them on because I actually like the period slim whitewall look. Too much black color otherwise. A personal choice.

EXHAUST:

The exhaust system is actually still a brand new original replacement aluminized Harmo system made in England. Less than 200 miles on it. The sound is very gratifying - a soft raspy, strong healty note. Still have the Harmo sticker which fell off in the garage. Harmo was a top quality exhaust system manufacturer in England.

SUSPENSION/BRAKES/STEERING:

Complete - Nothing missing. All shock absorbers were topped up with shock oil - they are all the original factory shocks. Front brake pads were replaced and the calipers were freed and refurbished. The rear brake shoes and brake cylinders are all new. The rubber hydraulic lines are all new. Emergency brake works well. Rack and pinion steering works very well but will need the rubber steering boots replaced, a simple and inexpensive job.

WORKING:

The following items work well: Fuel gauge, oil gauge, water temperature gauge, electric tachometer, speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, dash lights, turn signals, Turn signal dash indicator light, high and low beam headlights, high beam dash indicator light, parking lights, generator, generator dash indicator light, heater, heater motor, windscreen wipers, windscreen washers, horn, tail lights, license plate lights, brake lights, choke, inside bonnet release.

NOT WORKING:

Original factory British Motor Corporation BMC radio lights up but no sound. Fog lights. (fogs lights are aftermarket and the chrome on the backs is very poor). RR tail light lens is broken.

MISCELLANEOUS:

This is a 49 year old used classic sports car - it is as described as shown and is not guaranteed. As of this writing Hagertys used car values lists the 1967 Austin Healey 1275 Sprite at $7800 average condition, $4100 fair condition and $10,600 excellent condition. ($16,800 for concours condition). NADA values the 67 Sprite at $4050 low, $7400 average and $14,250 high. This car is in above average condition and the start out price is only a start and is far below what this car is worth.

PAPERWORK:

Comes with a clear South Carolina title in the original owners name. Also a bill of sale and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate.

FACTORY ID PLATES:

The Vehicle identification ID plate and engine number plates are intact and correct. These are the original "matching numbers" plates.

INSPECTION OF CAR:

Inspections are welcome and encouraged at any time before the auction ends.

SHIPPING:

Shipping or collecting the car is the buyers responsibility. If necessary I can arrange shipping or assist with arrangement and will assist with loading the car.

PAYMENT & BIDDING:

Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid will be cancelled and you will be blocked from bidding. A $500 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 3 days via wire transfer, priority or overnight mail with a bank cashiers check. Full payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like the color. When the auction is over, it is your car and payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. The car is at my home and can be left here for up to 30 days at no charge before collection. After that I have the option of charging a storage fee. I have sold approximately 25 cars and motorcycles on ebay and they were all an absolute bargain.

SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE CAR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

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