This is a new one on us. The Starley Lotus Sprite is a mash-up of the Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite Mk1 and a Lotus Elan, combining the modified shell of the former with the underpinnings of the latter.

The story goes like this. The Sprite’s original owner, a Mr Starley, had been using the car on the road and in sprints and hillclimbs in the early 1960s. He had been enjoying success, thanks in part to the experimental 1299cc engine mounted behind that smiling ‘face’. All was well until the car was placed in the same class as Elans, at which point the Sprite became unsuccessful against its Lotus opposition.

As the old adage goes, if you can’t beat them join them. A seven-year modification programme commenced, where the backbone chassis, engine and suspension of a Lotus Elan were fitted within the Sprite’s body. The Twin-Cam was prepared to full-race spec using Cosworth parts and a Borg & Beck clutch fed power to a standard Lotus four-speed gearbox. 

The Sprite’s outline is also modified. Aero additions, widened wheelarches, a fastback roof and – somewhat inexplicably – Ford Granada Mk1 tail lights all contribute to its unique appearance. 

At the time of the conversion, Mr Starley was a Lotus Service Dealer so had a working relationship with the Lotus factory. It’s said that Colin Chapman gave permission for a Lotus badge to be placed on the bonnet. The one condition was that the car could not be finished in Lotus colours.

This fascinating one-of-a-kind car is going under the hammer at Bonhams Cars’ Beaulieu Sale on 14 September. 

Photos: Bonhams Cars