Austin-Healey Sprite MkIV Roadster

Austin-Healey Sprite MkIV Roadster

The Austin-Healey Sprite MkIV, introduced in 1967, represented the final development of the Sprite lineage before the Austin-Healey name was retired in 1971. This fourth generation shared its platform and most components with the MG Midget MkIII, differing primarily in badging and minor trim details. The MkIV featured the larger 1,275cc A-Series engine that produced 65 horsepower, providing noticeably better performance than earlier Sprites. The increased displacement brought improved mid-range torque, making the car more flexible and easier to drive in traffic while still delivering entertaining performance on open roads. The MkIV benefited from all the refinements accumulated over the Sprite's decade-long evolution: fold-down top with side screens or optional hardtop, wind-up windows, improved interior trim, and better instrumentation. The handling remained predictably excellent, with the light weight and balanced chassis making the car a joy on twisty roads. Front disc brakes provided adequate stopping power for the modest performance. The distinctive Sprite grille and Austin-Healey badging gave it a unique identity, though many buyers couldn't distinguish it from the mechanically identical MG Midget. Inside, the MkIV offered basic but functional accommodation for two, with simple bucket seats, a small but useful boot, and minimal but adequate instrumentation. The car's simplicity was part of its charm; there was nothing to break, and maintenance was straightforward. The MkIV's low purchase price and running costs made it an accessible entry point into sports car ownership. After BMC's merger with Leyland and the subsequent retirement of the Austin-Healey brand in 1971, production continued as the MG Midget while the Sprite name passed into history. Today, the Sprite MkIV represents an interesting piece of British automotive history, being the last car to wear the Austin-Healey Sprite badge and marking the end of an era.