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Information on this page taken from Graham Robson's 'The Cars of BMC'. Motor Racing Publications 1999.

Austin Healey Sprite MkI Specifications

Produced: Abingdon, 1958-1961. 48,999 cars built.
General Layout: Unit-construction body-chassis structure, in 2-seater sports car style. Some cars with removable hardtop. Front-mounted engine driving rea wheels.
Engine and transmission: BMC A-Series, 4-cylinder, ohv, in-line. 948cc, 62.9 x 76.2mm, 43bhp at 5200rpm; 52lb ft at 3300rpm. 4-speed gearbox; no synchromesh on 1st gear; live (beam) rear axle with hypoid-bevel final drive.
Chassis: Independent front suspension, coil springs and wishbones. Rack-and-pinion steering. Rear suspension by cantilever quarter-elliptic leaf springs and radius-arms. Front and rear drum brakes. 5.20-13in tyres.
Dimensions: Wheelbase 6ft 8in; front track 3ft 9.75in; rear track 3ft 8.75in; length 11ft 5.25in; width 4ft 5in; height 4ft 1.75in. Unladen weight (approx) 1328lb.
Typical Performance: Maximum speed 86mph; 0-60mph 20.5sec; standing ¼-mile 21.8sec; overall fuel consumption 34mpg.
Fate: Dropped in favour of restyled MkII model in 1961.

Austin Healey Sprite MkII Specifications

As for Sprite Mk I except for:
Produced: Abingdon, 1961—64 20450 cars built with 948cc engine, 11215 with 1098cc engine.
General Layout: as original ‘Frog-eye’ model, except for restyle and external opening boot-lid
Engine and Transmission: 948cc engine, 46bhp at 5500rpm; 53lb ft at 3000rpm.
Dimensions: Length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1525lb.
Typical Performance: maximum speed 86mph;0-60mph 20.0sec; standing 1/4mile 22.0sec; overall fuel consumption 39mpg
Distinguishing features from previous model: Restyled bodyshell with headlamps in wings and external boot-lid.
Derivatives: From autumn 1962 to 1964, 11215 cars produced with 1098cc, 64.58 x 83.72mm engine, 56bhp at drums. Styling unchanged. 89mph top speed, 0-60mph 16.9sec, standing ¼-mile 21.0sec, overall fuel consumption 30mpg.
Fate: Dropped in favour of MkIII model in 1964

 

Austin Healey Sprite MkIII Specifications

As for Sprite Mk II except for:
Produced: Abingdon, 1964-66, 25905 cars built.
Engine and Transmission: 1098cc engine, 59bhp at 5750rpm; 65lb ft at 3500rpm.
Chassis: Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs.
Dimensions: Front track 3ft 9.25 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1566lb.
Typical Performance: maximum speed 92mph;0-60mph 14.7sec; standing 1/4mile 19.8sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg
Distinguishing features from previous model: Wind up windows in doors, larger screen, new facia and instrument panel.
Fate: Dropped in favour of MkIV model in 1966.

 

Austin Healey Sprite MkIV Specifications


As for Sprite Mk IV except for:
Produced: Abingdon, 1966-70, 21768 cars built.
Engine and Transmission: 1275cc engine, 70.6 x 81.28mm, 65bhp at 6000rpm; 72lb ft at 3000rpm.
Dimensions: unladen weight 1575lb.
Typical Performance: maximum speed 94mph;0-60mph 14.1sec; standing 1/4mile 19.6sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg
Distinguishing features from previous model: Foldaway hood instead of build-up variety.
Derivatives: For 1970 model year, the grille was standardised with the MG Midget and cast-alloy wheels were fitted.
Fate: Austin Healey marque dropped in favour of Austin model, which was produced only in 1971. Note: The badge-engineered MG Midget carried on until the end of 1979.

MG Midget Mk I Specifications

Produced: Abingdon, 1961-64, 16080 cars built with 948cc engine, 9601 cars with 1098cc engine.
General Layout: Unit-c0onstruction body-chassis structure in 2-seater sports car style. Some cars with removable hardtop. Front-mounted engine driving rear wheels. Identical in every way with the equivalent Austin-Healey Sprite MkII.
Engine and Transmission: MBC A-Series, 4-cylinder, ohv, in-line. 948cc, 62.9 x 76.2mm, 46bhp at 5500rpm; 53lb ft at 3000rpm. 4-speed gearbox; no synchromesh on 1st gear; live (beam) rear axle with hypoid-bevel final drive.
Chassis: Independent front suspension, coil springs and wishbones. Rack-and-pinion steering. Rear suspension by cantilever quarter-elliptic leaf springs and radius-arms. Front and rear drum brakes. 5.20-13in tyres.
Dimensions: Wheelbase 6ft 8in; front track 3ft 9.75 in; rear track 3ft 8.75 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; width 4ft 5in; height 4ft 1.75in. Unladen weight 1525lb.
Typical Performance: Maximum speed 86mph;0-60mph 20.0sec; standing 1/4mile 22.0sec; overall fuel consumption 39mpg
Derivatives: From autumn 1962 to 1964, 9601 cars produced with 1098cc, 64.58 x 83.72mm engine, 56bhp at 5500rpm, 62lb ft at 3250rpm. Front disc brakes and rear drums. Styling unchanged
Typical Performance: 89mph to top speed, 0-60mph 16.9sec, standing ¼-mile 21.0sec, overall fuel consumption 30mpg.
Fate: Dropped in favour of Mk II model in 1964.

MG Midget Mk II Specifications

As for Midget Mk I except for:
Produced: Abingdon, 1964-66, 26601cars built.
Engine and Transmission: 1098cc engine, 59bhp at 5750rpm; 65lb ft at 3500rpm.
Chassis: Rear suspension by half-elliptic leaf springs.
Dimensions: Front track 3ft 9.25 in; length 11ft 5.9 in; unladen weight 1566lb.
Typical Performance: Maximum speed 92mph;0-60mph 14.7sec; standing 1/4mile 19.8sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg
Distinguishing features from previous model: Wind-up windows in doors, larger screen, new facia and instrument panel.
Fate: Dropped in favour of Mk III model, which was announced in 1966.

]MG Midget Mk III Specifications

As for Midget Mk II except for:
Produced: Abingdon, 1966-69, 13722built.
Engine and Transmission: 1275cc engine, 70.6 x 81.28mm, 65bhp at 6000rpm; 72lb ft at 3000rpm.
Dimensions: Unladen weight 1575lb.
Typical Performance: Maximum speed 94mph;0-60mph 14.1sec; standing 1/4mile 19.6sec; overall fuel consumption 30mpg
Distinguishing features from previous model: Fold away hood instead of build up variety.
Derivatives: For 1970 model year, became Midget Mk III (G-AN5 type) with Rostyle wheels, new grille and badging. Carried on to 1974, when replaced by Midget 1500. 86623 Mk IVs were built.
Fate: Dropped in favour of Midget 1500 model, which was announced in 1974.

 

 

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