SPRITEFEST AND GIVEAWAY

This is the 30th Anniversary of the Austin Healey Sprite. The model quickly was nicknamed the "Bugeye" Sprite or "Frogeye" due to the unusual headlamp treatment. The Sprite was a low-priced sports car, hardy in nature, simple to maintain and repair and was a commercial success both in the U.S. and its home land. The cars were raced successfully and still are in both SCCA and Vintage racing classes.

To commemorate the anniversary of the Sprite, Hershey, Pennsylvania dentist Rick Moses planned a get together of as many Sprites and Sprite enthusiasts as possible in one place. The original plan was to have "Spritefest" in Hershey but The Flea Marketeers had planned The Carlisle Import Auto Festival the same weekend. The Flea Marketeers Marketing Manager, Bob Lichty approached Rick on having the event in conjunction with the Import Festival. The event was set up to be held at both Carlisle's Embers Quality Inn & Convention Center and The Carlisle Import Auto Festival at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. The events were planned for all participants to gather together and celebrate this special occasion.

The Flea Marketeers pulled out all stops to assure a good event. It was decided a"Bugeye" Sprite would be the car to be given away for the 1988 Import Auto Festival's main door prize. After looking at many cars in the Central Pennsylvania area Bob Lichty arranged purchase of the beautiful 1960 Sprite roadster you see here. The car had been owned by Bob Miller of Allentown for more than 18 years. He had done a complete restoration of the car when most parts were still available. The car features almost everything new or rebuilt. When The Flea Marketeers purchased the car it needed only a fresh paint job. Gary Snellbaker from the York area painted the car in the correct Cherry Red for 1960.

The car will be given away Sunday, May 22 at 3:30. No purchase is needed to win. Every participant is given at least one chance on the car when arriving. To win you must be present during the drawing as The Flea Marketeers love to hand the keys of their give-away cars over to the happy winner in person. Condition wise this may be the best collector car given away at a Carlisle Import Festival yet. Don't miss the presentation. Be on hand for the drawing; the lucky winner might be you.