MILES OF SMILES

One of the standard modern-day motoring clichés is the desire for a modern-day Sprite – a synonym for an open-topped two-seater that’s cheap to buy and run.

When Austin Healey launched its ‘Frogeye’ Sprite in May 1958, it cost £679 – not much more than a four-door Morris Minor. This really was fun motoring on the cheap. Thanks to poverty spec (even bumpers were an extra), both weight and price were kept to a minimum, although these cars got more and more complex over time – some even had door handles!

While ‘Spridgets’ always used to be impossibly cheap, values have climbed steadily as restoration costs have soared and the number of decent examples has dwindled. The days of students running these cars on a shoestring budget disappeared long ago. They’re still eminently affordable, though, and you’ll have a whale of a time whatever you buy – as long as you don’t pay over the odds. Ownership should be painless, too: most items for the Sprite and Midget are available new, although restoration costs can add up very quickly. What isn’t available new is generally available secondhand. The simple construction of the car allows an easy inspection to be made before parting with your cash.

For the full story pick up the July issue of Classic Car Mart - On sale now