Mr Potts - Austin Healey Sprite Mk4

Mr Potts – Austin Healey Sprite Mk4

Personal
Sprite

Type

Sprite Mk4
Status

Personal Project
Year

1967

30 years and counting

I have owned this lovely Mk4 Sprite for over 30 years. I bought it as a reminder of my first car (which was also a Mk4), and used it as my daily driver for many years. 30 years ago I was living in High Wycombe and commuting to Henley on Thames every day, through some exciting little B roads that were perfect for spirited driving. This little car was 100% reliable - with the only time I couldn't get home due to very heavy snow which forced me to abandon it on a hill. The next day, it had been buried by snow-plough's and had to be dug out.

A superb engine

The BMC A-Series 1275cc engine is a great little power plant. After for first ten years of ownership I wanted to get more power from it, and asked Classic and Modern Engines in Bracknell for their help. C&M rebuilt the engine as a complete 'stage 2' with increased capacity to 1308cc, a Kent 266 cam and reworked head. The car now runs twin 1.5" SU's on a custom Maniflow inlet - along with a Maniflow LCB exhaust manifold. Ignition is assisted by a new Aldon Yellow electronic distributor.

A constant project

The Sprite runs and drives perfectly. Having spent so long maintaining and improving the car, it runs and drives exactly how I like it. The sound of the large bore exhaust is sublime - and the handling is perfect for the power that it makes. This little car never fails to put a massive smile on my face - and of all the cars I have owned, this Sprite is my favourite.

“I long for an excuse to take this car out every sunny day.” David Jerram