The Mk1 Sprite was manufactured between 1958 and 1961 and quickly became affectionately known as the "Frogeye" because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet, inboard of the front wings.
This endearing example has been subject to a comprehensive bodywork restoration completed in 2009. In addition, it benefits from a number of popular mechanical upgrades which include a 1275cc engine (converted to run on unleaded fuel), front disc brakes, 5 speed gearbox, sports exhaust and painted wire wheels with modern tyres. All of these upgrades significantly improve the on road driving dynamics of this car, as compared to the standard Frogeye.
The car comes complete with all its full weather gear that includes, vinyl roof, full tonneau cover and side windows.
Standard Frogeye’s with their 948cc engines, 4 speed gearbox and drums brakes all round are great fun to drive and handle like go karts. However, with the extra engine, braking and gearbox upgrades, this fantastic little car takes the driving fun to a new level and is more than able to keep up with modern day traffic.
Having covered just over 6000 miles since its restoration, this car presents a great opportunity for someone looking for a lovely example to use and enjoy and which benefits from some popular upgrades, that only go to enhance the driving experience.
Although an older restoration, as can be seen from the photos the Primrose Yellow paintwork is still in lovely condition and the panel and door shut lines present as uniform all round. As to be expected from an older restoration, there is the odd age related blemish, but the car was subject to a professional paintwork detailing and high end wax finish as part of the pre-sales preparation.
All chrome work is in equally in good condition as are all lights and the windscreen rubber seal.
All wet weather gear which includes the vinyl roof, full tonneau and side windows, are in good condition, fit as they should and look barely used.
As part of the restoration the car’s interior was retrimmed with black leather seats with attractive yellow pipping with matching high quality carpeting throughout. The car also comes with its original leather bound steering wheel.
As a nice diversion from modern cars, the inside of a Frogeye is a pretty minimalist environment. The driver’s view of the dashboard consists of 2 main dials for the rev counter and speedo with 2 ancillary gauges either side, one combining oil pressure and water temperature and the other fuel level. Other than that, assorted dash mounted pull switches, turn switches and toggles, cover the starter button, indicators, lights, heater controls, choke and windscreen wipers.
All the switch gear, dials, lights and heater work as they should.
With no exterior door handles, doors are operated solely from inside the car. In addition, there is no opening boot with the Frogeye. The space at the rear of the car which stows the wet weather gear spare wheel, jack and tool kit, is accessed by folding the front seats forwards.
Decoding the engine number identifies it as 1275cc MG Midget made between 1973 to 1974. This is popular upgrade for the standard 948cc engine, as the larger capacity provides a significant uplift in both power and torque. Invoice history evidences engine refreshing work in 2007, which included a cylinder block rebore and overhaul of the unleaded cylinder head. The engine runs on twin 1.25” SU carburettors fitted with chromed “pancake” performance air filters, which together lend a nice sense of theatre to the engine bay.
The exhaust is a sporty set-up featuring tubular exhaust manifolds joined to a straight through mid-section, ending in a single silencer box and oversized single exit pipe. The result is a pleasingly sporty exhaust note that does not have any undue “drone”, at sustained cruising speeds.
The engine has been retro fitted with a 5 speed gearbox, which we believe to be a Ford Type 9 version. This is also a common upgrade as the additional ratio provides quite a marked improvement in terms of driveability over the standard 4 speed gearbox, especially when running a more powerful engine.
All suspension components are in good order and the car rides and handles as it should, with no undue knocks or rattles.
The car sits on 13” painted wire wheels with hexagonal centre locks fitted with OEM spec 145/80 tyres all of the same brand and all showing significant tread. The spare wheel is of the same type as the driven wheels as is its tyre. The car comes with the knock off wheel removing tool and hammer.
The car has been upgraded with front discs brakes and runs the OEM drum brakes on the rear. This set up provides increased braking performance over the standard all drum brakes set up.
As can be seen from the photos of the underside, it presents very well with no visible signs of corrosion.
As part of the pre-sales preparation, all mechanical componentry on the car’s underside were painstakingly treated to a coating of clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection treatment, to provide for long-term protection. In addition, DINITROL underbody protection clear wax has been applied over the top of the existing underseal and the hard to access areas, such as behind the bumpers, prop shaft tunnel, up behind the spare wheel well, behind the petrol tank, inner sills, inner wings and wheel arches.
This provides for a further level of corrosion resistance to those areas, which is long lasting and jet wash proof. This all adds up to a car that now has outstanding underbody protection from corrosion, typically unavoidable for cars driven on UK roads all year round.
The documented history folder, contains the registration document and clear MotorCheck report dated 25/06/2024.
Although the file does not contain details of the bodywork restoration, there are invoices for the gearbox and engine works carried out in 2007.
The file also contains MOT certificates dating back until 1985 with the most recent dated 2015. Please note the car is registered as an historic vehicle on its V5C and as such, is now MOT and Tax exempt as well as ULEZ compliant.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
Whilst every effort is made to represent details accurately on our Web Site, variations or errors may occur and so the information contained herewith does not constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle, accessory or specification.
