Editing Austin-Healey Sprite (section)

==Mark I==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = Mark I
| aka          = Austin Sprite <ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/50415738@N04/5429780361/ Australian magazine advertisement for the Austin Sprite] ''www.flickr.com'' Retrieved 18 June 2017</ref> 
| image        = Austin Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite - Flickr - exfordy.jpg
| production   = 1958–1961
| designer     = [[Donald Healey]]
| engine       = {{convert|948|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''[[BMC A-Series engine|A-Series]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]] 43HP<ref>{{cite book|last=Willson|first=Quentin|title=The Ultimate Classic Car Book|year=1995|publisher=DK Publishing, Inc.|isbn=0-7894-0159-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ultimateclassicc00quen}}</ref>
| related      = 
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2032|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars>{{cite book |last=Culshaw |author2=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |isbn=0-333-16689-2}}</ref>
| length       = {{convert|3480|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| width        = {{convert|1346|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| height       = {{convert|1200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (with bonnet up)<ref name=Motor1958/>
}}

The Sprite quickly became affectionately known as the "frogeye" in the UK and the "bugeye" in the US, because its headlights were prominently mounted on top of the bonnet, inboard of the front wings. The car's designers had intended that the headlights could be retracted, with the lenses facing skyward when not in use; a similar arrangement was used many years later on the [[Porsche 928]]. However, cost-cutting by BMC led to the flip-up mechanism being deleted. Therefore, the headlights were simply fixed in a permanently upright position, giving the car its distinctive "cute" feature. The body was styled by Gerry Coker, with subsequent alterations by Les Ireland following Coker's emigration to the US in 1957. The car's distinctive frontal styling bore a strong resemblance to the defunct American 1951 [[Crosley]] Super Sport. A total of 48,987 "frogeye" Sprites were made.<ref name=AZ1945>{{cite book |last=Sedgwick |first=M. |author2=Gillies.M|title=A-Z of Cars 1945–1970|year=1986 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK |isbn=1-870979-39-7}}</ref>

[[Image:Healey XQHS Super Sprite Prototype - 32201937268.jpg|thumb|1958 XQHS Super Sprite Prototype by Donald Healey Motor Co.]]
The problem of providing a rigid structure to an open-topped sports car was resolved by Barry Bilbie, Healey's chassis designer, who adapted the idea provided by the Jaguar D-type, with rear suspension forces routed through the bodyshell's floor pan. The Sprite's chassis design was the world's first volume-production sports car to use unitary construction, where the sheet metal body panels (apart from the bonnet) take many of the structural stresses. The original metal gauge (thickness of steel) of the rear structure specified by Bilbie was reduced by the Austin Design Office during prototype build, however during testing at MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) distortion and deformation of the rear structure occurred and the original specification was reinstated. The two front chassis legs projecting forward from the passenger compartment mean the shell is not a full [[monocoque]]. The front sheet-metal assembly, including the bonnet (hood) and wings, was a one-piece unit, hinged from the back, that swung up to allow access to the engine compartment.

The 43&nbsp;bhp, 948&nbsp;cc OHV engine (coded 9CC) was derived from the [[Austin A35]] and [[Morris Minor|Morris Minor 1000]] models, also BMC products, but upgraded with twin 1{{fraction|1|8}} inch [[SU carburettor]]s. The rack and pinion steering was derived from the Morris Minor 1000 and the front suspension from the Austin A35. The front suspension was a coil spring and wishbone arrangement, with the arm of the Armstrong lever shock absorber serving as the top suspension link. The rear axle was both located and sprung by quarter-elliptic leaf springs, again with lever-arm shock absorbers and top links. The road wheels were 13" and all cars were invariably fitted with Dunlop crossply tyres, usually their Gold Seal model in the 5.20x13 size, although later frogeyes shipped to North America wore 5.60x13 Dunlop crossplies. There were no exterior door handles – the driver and passenger were required to reach inside to open the door. There was also no boot lid, owing to the need to retain as much structural integrity as possible, and access to the spare wheel and luggage compartment was achieved by tilting the seat-backs forward and reaching under the rear deck, a process likened to [[potholing]] by many owners, as the space available was dark but cavernous.

Engine:

* 1958–1961: 948 cc [[BMC A-Series engine#948|A-Series]] [[Straight-4|I4]], 43&nbsp;hp (32&nbsp;kW) at 5200&nbsp;rpm and 52&nbsp;lbf·ft (71&nbsp;Nm) at 3300&nbsp;rpm

A car was tested by the British magazine ''[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]'' in 1958. It had a top speed of {{convert|82.9|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0–{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 20.5 seconds. Fuel consumption of {{convert|43|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £678, including taxes of £223.<ref name=Motor1958>{{cite magazine |title=The Austin-Healey Sprite |magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]] |date=21 May 1958}}</ref>

The BMC Competitions Department entered Austin Healey Sprites in major international races and rallies, their first major success coming when John Sprinzel and Willy Cave won their class on the 1958 [[Alpine Rally]]. In 1959, the Sprite was introduced to the US market by winning its class in the 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida. Private competitors also competed with much success in Sprites. Because of its affordability and practicality, the Austin-Healey Sprite was developed into a formidable competition car, assuming many variants by [[John Sprinzel]], [[Speedwell Motor Car Company|Speedwell]] and WSM. Many owners use their Austin Healey Sprites in competition today, fifty years after its introduction.

<gallery caption="Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I Gallery" widths="250px" heights="190px">
Austin Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite - Flickr - exfordy (3).jpg
File:Austin Healey Frogeye sprite mark one interior.jpg
File:Austin Healey Sprite Mitty.jpg
File:AustinHealeySprite.jpg
</gallery>

{{clear}}