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Austin-Healey Sprite
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==Mark II== {{Infobox automobile | name = Mark II | image = 341 PH Austin Healey Sprite.jpg | caption = Austin-Healey Sprite Mark II | production = 1961–1964 | engine = {{convert|948|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} later {{convert|1098|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''[[BMC A-Series engine|A-Series]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]] | related = [[MG Midget|MG Midget MkI]] | wheelbase = {{convert|2032|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/> | length = {{convert|3305|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/> | width = {{convert|1346|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/> | height = {{convert|48.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} (with roof up)<ref name=Motor1961/> }} The Mark II announced at the end of May 1961<ref>New Body On Austin Healey Sprite. ''The Times'', Monday, May 29, 1961; pg. 7; Issue 55093</ref> used the same 948 cc engine (engine code 9CG), but with larger twin 1{{fraction|1|4}} inch SU carburettors, increasing power to 46.5 bhp. A close-ratio [[gearbox]] was fitted. The bodywork was completely revamped, with the headlights migrating to a more conventional position in the wings, either side of a full-width grille and a conventional bonnet. At the rear, styling borrowed from the soon-to-be-announced [[MG MGB|MGB]] gave a similarly more modern look, with the added advantages of an opening boot lid and conventional rear bumper bar. The addition of the boot lid required the introduction of squared-off rear wheel arches to retain enough metal in the rear structure to give good rigidity. The result was a much less eccentric-looking sports car, though at the expense of some 100 lbs extra weight. In contrast to the 'frogeye', the later cars are often collectively referred to as square-bodied Sprites by enthusiasts. An MG version of the car was introduced in May 1961 as 'the new Midget,' reviving a model name which had been a great success for the MG Car Company in the 1930s and again as the [[MG T-type|T-type Midget]] in the period from 1945 to 1955. The Midget was to prove more popular with the public than the Sprite and by 1972 had completely supplanted it within the BMC range. In October 1962, both Sprites and Midgets were given a long-stroke 1098 cc engine (engine code 10CG), which was also fitted in single carburettor form to the Austin A40 and Morris Minor 1000 (which nevertheless remained the Minor 1000). A strengthened gearbox with Porsche (baulk-ring) synchromesh was introduced to cope with the extra power – 56 bhp. Front disc brakes were also introduced at the same time and wire wheels became an option. 31,665 Mark II Sprites were made.<ref name=AZ1945/> [[Innocenti]] also produced their own version of the Sprite, using the standard production underframe (initially shipped out from England), but with Italian styling by the American Tom Tjaarda, then working at Carrozzeria Ghia. The Innocenti 950 spider and later 1100 spider were produced from 1961 until 1968. A car with hardtop tested by the British magazine ''The Motor'' in 1961 had a top speed of {{convert|85.8|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0–{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 20.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|43.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car, which was to de-luxe specification cost £705 including taxes of £208.<ref name=Motor1961>{{cite magazine |title = The Austin-Healey Sprite Mk II |magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]] |date=12 July 1961}}</ref> Engines: * 1961–1964: 948 cc ''[[BMC A-Series engine#948|A-Series]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 46 hp (34 kW) at 5500 rpm and 53 lbf·ft (72 Nm) at 3000 rpm * 1962–1964: 1098 cc ''[[BMC A-Series engine#1098|A-Series]]'' [[Straight-4|I4]], 56 hp (42 kW) at 5500 rpm and 62 lbf·ft (84 Nm) at 3250 rpm {{clear}}
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