BLOWN BUGEYE

The Austin Healey Sprite might have had some odd nicknames thanks to its quirky, bulbous styling, but there was no nonsense about its drivability or value for money. Intended from the outset as a basic, affordable sports car, the Sprite carried out its brief very successfully, and is held in high esteem by classic car collectors today. Billy Roche from Kilrush spent five years restoring our cover car, as it came in a load of rusty and worn-out parts, but he has turned out a fantastic result. As the story’s title suggests, he also fitted a little something under the bonnet, and Andrew meets up with him to find out just what was involved.