Editing Austin-Healey Sprite (section)

==Mark IV and Austin Sprite==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = Mark IV
| aka          = Austin Sprite
| image        = AHSpriteMK4.jpg
| production   = 1966–1971
| engine       = {{convert|1275|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''[[BMC A-Series engine|A-Series]]'' [[Inline-four engine|I4]]
| related      = [[MG Midget|MG Midget MkIII]]
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2032|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| length       = {{convert|3492|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| width        = {{convert|1397|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
}}
[[File:Austin Healey 1.JPG|thumb|left|Austin-Healey Sprite Mark IV (EU)]]

The next upgrade was presented at the [[London Motor Show]] in October 1966.<ref name=Motor196810>{{cite magazine| title = 'Spridgets' with bigger engines|magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|Motor]]| volume = nbr 3360|page=173 |date = 22 October 1968}}</ref> Besides receiving the larger 1275&nbsp;cc engine (which disappointed enthusiasts by being in a lower state of tune than that of the Mini-Cooper 'S'), the Mark IV and its cousin the Mark III MG Midget had several changes which were more than cosmetic. Most notable is the change from a removable convertible top, which had to be stowed in the boot, to a permanently affixed, folding top of greatly improved design, which was much easier to use. Separate brake and clutch master cylinders were fitted, as car manufacturers' thoughts began to turn to making their products safer.<ref name=DlyExpressLonMoShoRev1966>{{cite book |last=Cardew|first=Basil |title=Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show|year=1966 |publisher=Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd |location=London }}</ref> On US market versions the larger engine sacrificed some of its performance from 1968 on, through the use of smog pumps and other modifications to comply with federal emission control requirements. 1969 was the final year the Sprite was exported to the US. At the same time reversing lamps were made a standard fitment and the cars' electrical system was switched to negative earth and powered by an [[alternator]] rather than a dynamo. This was also the first year that reclining seats were fitted.

A facelift was carried out for the 1970 model year (beginning in September 1969) after Austin-Healey (and MG) became part of [[British Leyland]]. These largely cosmetic revision were to update the appearance of the car (now 10 years old) and minimise the difference between the Sprite and Midget versions to reduce production costs; both cars now had the same cosmetic features, differing only in their badges. Alongside a new range of body colours, both cars now had the same grille, based on the plainer square-mesh design of the MkII-onwards Sprite but now finished in satin black with the addition of a chrome embellisher. The body sills were painted satin black with a chrome strip between them and the upper bodywork and the name "SPRITE" was applied in chrome capital letters on the sill just behind the front wheelarch (MG Midgets had their own badge in the same style). [[File:Austin Healey Sprite Mark IV.JPG|thumb|left|1970 Austin-Healey Sprite Mark IV with revised grille and steel wheels with cast-alloy appearance]]Slimmer bumpers were fitted, with those at the rear changing to two quarter-bumpers with the gap in the middle filled by a square [[Vehicle registration plate#United Kingdom|number plate]]. Rubber-capped overriders were standard fitment front and rear. The seats were now a slimmer, flatter design with a more modern upholstery pattern. Some body colours could now be ordered with the option of the seats, door trim and floor carpets in beige rather than the standard black. 1970-model year Sprites were fitted with new cast-alloy looking ventilated wheels although they were still made of steel although the option for wire-spoke wheels remained. As launched the 1970 Sprites had their windscreen frames and windscreen wiper arms painted 'anti-dazzle' matt black as was popular on modern American muscle cars and rally cars of the era but these features were expensive to produce and unpopular with buyers so only around 20 cars were produced before these reverted to the original polished metal appearance.<ref>[http://www.spritecarclub.com/TechnicalResources/TechnicalResources.htm Austin Healey Sprite MkIV Specifications] ''www.spritecarclub.com'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126184134/http://www.spritecarclub.com/TechnicalResources/TechnicalResources.htm |date=26 January 2012 }} Retrieved on 22 July 2012</ref> 22,790 Mark IV Sprites were made.<ref name=AZ1945/>

Engine:
* 1966–1971: 1275&nbsp;cc ''[[BMC A-Series engine#1275|A-Series]]'' [[Inline-four engine|I4]], 65&nbsp;hp (48&nbsp;kW) at 6000&nbsp;rpm and 72&nbsp;lbf·ft (98&nbsp;Nm) at 3000&nbsp;rpm

The Healey connection was discontinued in 1971, so the final 1,022 Sprites built were simply Austin Sprites.<ref>Graham Robson, A-Z of Cars of the 1970s, page 20</ref> This was a cost-cutting move of [[Donald Stokes, Baron Stokes|Donald Stokes]]', enabling British Leyland to stop paying royalties to the [[Donald Healey Motor Company]].<ref name="noakes">{{cite journal | title = Guilty as charged? | journal = Thoroughbred & Classic Cars | issue = 433 |date=August 2009 | last = Noakes | first = Andrew | issn = 0143-7267 | publisher = Bauer Automotive | location = Peterborough, UK | page = 53 }}</ref> There was no direct successor, as BL's extensive range already contained the MG Midget, which was identical to the Sprite except for badging, and the similarly dimensioned and priced [[Triumph Spitfire]].

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