1966 Austin Healey Sprite Very Nice Southern Car Ready To Drive And Enjoy VIDEO!

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

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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.