Was the Bugeye a Mk I from the get-go?

[twas_brillig]

I've got an "Austin Healey Sprite Mark I Driver's Handbook" from BMC, copyright the British Motor Corporation 1964, and two light-blue covered "Austin Healey Sprite Mark I Workshop Manual, BMC Service" with no indication of the print date but 'Issue 6' on the frontispiece and 'Issue 3' on other pages.
My understanding was that the Bugeye/Frogeye was initially just a Sprite, without the 'Mk' addition, but I am curious. The driver's handbook is from a couple of years after production of the Bugeye finished, and I expect my two factory shop manuals are also from a later date, but I would appreciate the wisdom of others. Thanks, Doug

 

[Roger]

I do not remember there being any kind of Mark when the Sprite was originally announced. Indeed, it would have been thought very odd and presumptuous if there had been.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Kinda like naming an event "First Annual"... :smirk:

 

[59diamond]

The workshop manual I have says Austin Healey Sprite Mark 1

 

[HealeyRick]

The bugeye was just the Austin-Healey Sprite when introduced. Take a look at the earliest manuals here: https://regresspress.com/automobile/item_desc.php?item_id=2152 and here: https://regresspress.com/automobile/item_desc.php?item_id=2151 You have to be careful when looking at factory manuals because they were constantly updating them and some had five or six versions. I bought an official manual from the dealer in 1967, but by that time it included Mk. I in the title.

 

[Desert Rat]

My service manual says Austin - Healey Sprite AN5 Series May 1958 no mention of MKI. The later one I have from 1962 says it covers MKI and MKII.
I remember reading somewhere in Terry Horler's book that the MKI started being used after the MKII came out.

 

[twas_brillig]

Thanks guys - that was my expectation, but I was curious. Doug

 

[BillW103]

It doesn't say Mk1 on the tital.

 

[smaceng]

Just as most Brit cars, like the MGA, it was not initially introduced as the Mk1.
When the second model came about, the new one was the 1600.
That is when the original one was "referred to" as the Mk1.
Cheers, Scott in CA

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Jags, too. Small 4-door saloons were "2.4 liter sedan" and "3.4 liter sedan" not even "saloons".
When the MK2's came out in what, 59, the earlier cars were referred to as "MK1".