1988 Banham Sprint

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● A charming little Mini-based sportscar ● Well-executed recreation of the popular Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite ● MOT to September 2024 with no advisories ● Superbly presented interior ● Excellent paintwork and almost spotless underneath

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

The Austin-Healey Sprite remains a perennial favourite among enthusiasts of diminutive British sportscars — more because of its googly eyes and happily smiling front grille than any pretences of outright performance. It was powered by the same engine as the famously not-sporting Morris Minor, albeit with the optimistic addition of an extra SU carburettor to convince unsuspecting buyers that it was a performance vehicle.

So with the characterful Sprite affectionately viewed through rose-tinted spectacles, it’s unsurprising that somebody would try to keep its charm alive. The man who achieved this was Paul Banham, who set about turning run-of-the-mill Austin Rover Minis into fun little Sprites. This involved keeping the lower part of the body, along with the engine, subframes and other mechanical parts, then grafting a surprisingly convincing glass-fibre body on top.

The end result certainly appears to be a cut above the usual ‘kit car’ fare, a well crafted interior, sympathetic body styling, and altogether well-rounded appearance make this a very appealing entry point to the world of tiny motoring.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

● One of Banham Conversions’ more popular kits ● The company offered a variety of kits from the 1970s to 2004 ● Based on an original 1988 Austin Rover Mini Mayfair ● Classified as a ‘rebody’ which allows the car to retain its original VIN ● Created using the original car’s chassis floor, subframes and engine ● V5C updated to state that the car is now a convertible ● MOT valid until September 2024 ● No MOT advisories ● Odometer reading 82k miles ● Owned by the current keeper for the past seven years ● Two sets of keys included

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Smart red carpets throughout ● Spacious storage bins in the doors ● Charming wire-pull door releases ● Leather door check straps ● Cream leather bucket seats in very clean condition, with little sign of wear ● Matching dashboard upholstery similarly well presented ● Full complement of gauges, switches and warning lights ● ‘Mountney’ polished hardwood steering wheel and matching gear knob ● Externally accessible boot — unlike the original Austin-Healey Sprite, which required the seats to be folded forwards ● Small fire extinguisher mounted in front of the driver’s seat ● Inertia reel seatbelts fitted ● Practical storage netting behind the seats

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Adorable ‘Frogeye Sprite’ styling ● The well-executed glass-fibre body works well on the Mini foundations ● Distinctive ‘face’ guaranteed to raise smiles from passers by ● Red paintwork retains a deep colour and few signs of damage ● Only a couple of spots of unobtrusive cracking in the paint have been highlighted ● Smart polished chrome trim ● The doors have no external handles , giving the car a sleek, sporting look ● A well-fitting tonneau cover is included ● From what we can see, the underside looks reassuringly clean and tidy — the wheel arches are practically spotless ● The 13-inch steel wheels also appear well presented, although a set of polished chrome hubcaps would add some ‘60s flair

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

● 998cc four-cylinder A-series engine ● Front-wheel drive — unlike the original Sprite ● Four-speed transmission ● Front-mounted radiator, with a thermostatically-controlled electric cooling fan ● The engine bay features an interestingly relocated oil filler, to accommodate the lowered bonnet line ● The vendor reports that the car runs as it should, with no issues of note ● Front-hinged bonnet allows plenty of access for servicing ● Very clean running gear and engine bay

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

As shown in the accompanying photographs, this little ‘Sprite’ has clearly been carefully stored and sparingly used: the bodywork, paint and interior all suggest a cosseted life. Certainly, we’d be willing to wager a fair amount that this car hasn’t seen much use on a daily long-distance commute in recent years.

So if you’re looking for something which will make people do a double-take, something a little different, then this Banham Sprint offers a rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely desirable and well-executed recreation. And considering how well it is presented, it’ll be a joy to look at both in your garage and on the road.

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