1972 Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1

TGR Staff - Photos by Bonhams 09/09/2024

Coming up for auction at Bonhams’ prestigious Beaulieu Sale of Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia on September 14, 2024, is a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle that encapsulates the spirit of innovation and motorsport history: the 1972 Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1. This unique creation, blending British sports car charm with Lotus engineering prowess, offers a fascinating story of ingenuity and craftsmanship, one that stands as a tribute to its creator, a Mr. Starley.

At first glance, the Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1 might appear to be an ordinary Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1, with its classic “frogeye” headlights and familiar curves. But beneath the extensively modified body lies a far more intricate and performance-driven story. This car started its life as a road-going Sprite, registered as 'YCD 926', that also enjoyed a successful competition career in the early 1960s. It was used in sprints, hill climbs, and driving tests, where it achieved numerous victories powered by a then-experimental 1,299cc engine.

However, that success would be short-lived. The car was eventually placed in the same competition class as the Lotus Elan, a game-changer in motorsport at the time. Unable to keep up with the advanced engineering and performance of the Elan, Mr. Starley—himself a Lotus Service Dealer—devised an ambitious plan: to fuse the Sprite's lightweight body with the advanced engineering of Lotus. This bold idea would take him seven years to bring to fruition, resulting in the Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1 being offered today.

The process of creating this hybrid marvel began with the installation of a Lotus backbone chassis, a crucial component of the car’s transformation. This chassis design, famously used in the Lotus Elan, offered superior rigidity and handling characteristics, ensuring that the Sprite's performance would be on par with the competition. The Sprite’s body underwent significant modifications to fit the new chassis, and the car retained the Lotus suspension and brakes—known for their precision and balance.

One of the car's most distinctive elements is its engine. The original BMC unit was replaced with a 1,558cc Lotus twin-cam engine built to full race specification. This powerplant is no ordinary Lotus engine; it features an all-steel construction with numerous Cosworth parts, including a big-valve cylinder head, making it an engine capable of exceptional power and durability. With its robust build and high-performance pedigree, this engine exemplifies the cutting-edge engineering that Lotus became famous for during the 1960s and 1970s.

To complement the engine's performance, Mr. Starley opted for a Borg & Beck clutch and a standard Lotus four-speed gearbox, ensuring smooth and reliable power delivery. Additionally, the car was fitted with magnesium alloy wheels, a weight-saving feature commonly used in racing, and a full stainless-steel under-tray, further underscoring its motorsport aspirations.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the car’s creation was its official recognition by Lotus. Colin Chapman, the visionary founder of Lotus, gave Mr. Starley permission to display a Lotus badge on the bonnet. The only stipulation was that the car be finished in non-Lotus colors, marking it as a special one-off creation without infringing on the company’s production identity. This personal endorsement from Chapman speaks volumes about the quality of Starley’s work and the respect he had earned within the Lotus community.

The Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1 was finally completed in 1972 and registered as a Lotus on September 4th of that year, receiving the registration number 'AUF 1L'. From that point, it entered automotive history as a unique blend of Austin-Healey Sprite charm and Lotus performance engineering, a car that could hold its own on the racetrack against the best of its era.

Today, the car is accompanied by a detailed account of its origins and construction, providing valuable insight into the painstaking process that brought it to life. This documentation, which will be available to prospective buyers at the auction, adds another layer of provenance to an already remarkable vehicle.

With its fascinating backstory, (at the time) cutting-edge engineering, and singular status, the 1972 Starley Lotus Sprite Mk1 offers a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Whether as a piece of automotive history, a competitive vintage racer, or a unique symbol of British motorsport ingenuity, this vehicle represents an extraordinary find that will spark intense bidding when it goes under the hammer in September. For the right buyer, it promises to be a prized addition to any collection—one that tells a unique story of innovation, passion, and the pursuit of racing excellence.

View the full listing HERE.