Photo
Album
Calendar
Links
Contact
Us
Technical
Resources
Technical Resource
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.
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.