Austin Healey Sprite Mark III, 1965-66
Convertible Top and Convertible Top Parts
- Quality: Made to Austin Healey specs, 100% fit guarantee.
- Original Configuration: One piece top, three rear plastic windows.
- Original Factory Material: British Everflex Vinyl. Haartz British Bison and Stayfast canvas also available.
- Note: Ascertain that your car has roll up side windows and that the top attaches at front to metal bow.
- Original Colors: Black
- Hardware Supplied: The Austin Healey Sprite tops fasten with a variety of hardware. This includes a pair of push-on fasteners for rear corner studs, a pair of "lift the dot" fasteners for the front corners and 6 snaps (three on each side at the rear). Our top comes with all required hardware.
- Installation: The top fastens with tenax fasteners and shaps which are engaged to the body studs. Fasteners and snaps are supplied. The top fastens to the front bow with contact cement. The process is described in our install manual and is within the capabilities of a methodical, handy person. To llocate an installer near you type "auto upholstery shops near me" in your browser search bar.
- About Fabrics: The original British Everflex Vinyl is a three layer topping as is Stayfast Canvas. The canvas has a rich canvas outer layer. British Bison is a two layer version of Everflex. Crush grain vinyl is a very slightly more pronounced grain version of British Bison.
Important Information
Original Factory Color(s): Black
Identify Model:
In mid-1964 Healey made chages to its Sprite roadsters. Locking door handles were introduced into the Mark III. Also, in these Mark III's the windows roll up and down. Earlier Mark II's had removable side screens.
In mid-1964 Healey made chages to its Sprite roadsters. Locking door handles were introduced into the Mark III. Also, in these Mark III's the windows roll up and down. Earlier Mark II's had removable side screens.
Your VIN number will have the string "AN8" in it (earlier Mark II had the AN6 or AN7 designation.)
Fabrics:
The original fabric used in tops was a crush grain vinyl. We offer these tops made to original patterns in American made crush grain vinyl. This is available in black or white.
You may also select Haartz Pinpoint vinyl if you desire a broader selection of top colors. The two fabrics are equivalent in physical properties and durability. They differ only in the surface vinyl finish.
You may also choose one of the Haartz Stayfast canvas toppings. This fabric has maximal durability owing to its butyl rubber core layer. It has an elegant canvas outer layer as well.
Windows:
The original three plastic window design is accurately reproduced with highest grade windows electronically welded into the top fabric. The center window is available either zippered or unzippered. This top made without the zippered window will raise and lower without difficulty.
Install Manual:
Installation of the top is not difficult. We offer a top install booklet. Ask for it in the checkout message box if you are ordering a top.
CONVERTIBLE TOP FABRICS
Almost all manufacturers use Haartz fabrics. They may specify "heaviest weight" or "original replacement" in ways that seem reassuring. But they do not really tell the whole story. Please bear in mind that two things dominate, by far, the quality issue: (a) the manufacturing quality control in the factory that makes the top and (b) the care and thoroughness of the installation. There is a trade-off in weight: heavier is better for resisting tear through, but lighter is better for flexibility and abrasion from within that may arise from movement. Almost all our tops are a flexible medium density (36 oz.) fabric. Heavier is not better in most cases. Where it is, because of the top design, we will say so and the top will be made of the heavier vinyl.
Almost all manufacturers use Haartz fabrics. They may specify "heaviest weight" or "original replacement" in ways that seem reassuring. But they do not really tell the whole story. Please bear in mind that two things dominate, by far, the quality issue: (a) the manufacturing quality control in the factory that makes the top and (b) the care and thoroughness of the installation. There is a trade-off in weight: heavier is better for resisting tear through, but lighter is better for flexibility and abrasion from within that may arise from movement. Almost all our tops are a flexible medium density (36 oz.) fabric. Heavier is not better in most cases. Where it is, because of the top design, we will say so and the top will be made of the heavier vinyl.
- Sonnenland® is a German-made 3-ply topping made up of an acrylic twill-weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a polyester "dobby backing." The dobby backing is a knit-like weave original to many high-end foreign cars. Customers who value originality over cost often pay top dollar for Sonnenland, just to have that authentic "dobby backing," seen only when you look up at the roof of your convertible top from inside your car. Sonnenland canvas is a top-of-the-line material original to various Audi, BMW, and Jaguar convertibles, among others. Sonnenland Canvas can vary in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance, but all Sonnenland Canvas promises elegance and long-lasting durability.
- Twillfast®, also called Sonnendeck Canvas, is an American-made canvas - a cost-effective substitute for Sonnenland. Twillfast is usually a 3-ply topping (though some versions are 5-ply) with Polyester and/or Polyester/cotton backings. This material, original to certain Camaro, BMW, Mustang, and VW Beetle convertibles, among others, varies in terms of surface weave and/or weight for acoustic performance. Twillfast Canvas is identical to Sonnenland Canvas - elegant and durable - only it's less expensive. This is a top-notch convertible top material, one we often recommend to savvy customers who like a good buy and a quality product.
- Stayfast Canvas is an elegant, durable canvas original to cars like the Mazda Miata and the Nissan 370Z. Stayfast is commonly used in replacement convertible tops. Stayfast canvas has an acrylic square weave facing, a rubber inner-layer, and a cotton backing. As with other canvases, the rubber core gives the fabric long-lasting durability. Stayfast canvas is a sleek, beautiful canvas, usually less expensive than Twillfast, but it does not have the dobby backing offered in Sonnenland and Twillfast (Sonnendeck). Stayfast is a popular upgrade to vinyl convertible tops, and as with any canvas, is richer looking and has a higher wear rating than convertible tops made of vinyl.
- Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is the most popular fabric. This vinyl design is original to most American cars from the fifties to the nineties. Pinpoint refers to the little dots or pips that you see if you look closely at the vinyl surface. European cars, such as the old Beetles and others also used pinpoint vinyl as the topping fabric.
- Chrysler Sailcloth is featured on many late LeBarons, Sebrings, certain Mustangs and other cars. It is structurally (wear quality) equivalent to the Haartz Pinpoint but has a different surface grain. The grain was designed to imitate the look of canvas. As you can see from the scan of this fabric, it is an exceptionally rich looking material. It is sometimes chosen for replacing convertible tops that originally featured pinpoint vinyl.
- Cabrio Grain is also structurally equivalent to the pinpoint. It has a pigskin outer grain vinyl as original to Volkswagen Cabriolets from 1984 onward and to Mazda Miatas and Mercury Capris.
- A5S German Canvas (Robbins) The 100% Acrylic Twill Weave Surface Cloth receives a special flame singing treatment to remove the fabric knap; and is laminated to Black 100% Polyester Dobby backing.
This is the original topping for Porsche Boxster and Cabrio convertible tops. 59 inches (150 cm) wide, made in Germany. - British Bison Vinyl is the most popular British roadster convertible top material. It is American made Haartz leather grain vinyl and is an imitation of the British Everflex vinyl top fabric. The British Bison Vinyl convertible top fabric is often referred to as 'crush grain.'
- British Everflex Vinyl We are now pleased to offer British Everflex Vinyl for classic English tops. This is the original material used on British convertibles including Jaguar, Rolls Royce and many others. Imported from England, British Everflex vinyl is a supple vinyl with a rich appearance and is more durable than other vinyls. A good, less expensive alternative is Colonial grain vinyl. Colonial has the same texture but is less durable.
- HV Denim (also called Twill Weave Vinyl) is heavy duty sport material composed of a distinctive twill grain PVC outer layer and a polyester/cotton blend inside lining fabric.
- Trilogy Acoustic Vinyl A heavyweight vinyl that is often used on SUVs like Jeep, because the two-ply composite has the capacity to reduce noise by about 20 percent compared to standard vinyls like Sailcloth. The vinyl material is durable, promises long-lasting wear-and-tear, and resembles the sleek twill cloth commonly found on luxury convertible cars.
- Haartz Twillfast RPC This American-made canvas has a twill weave pattern and resembles German-made Sonnenland canvas. It is a great all-purpose canvas and, according to Haartz, is used on 99 percent of convertibles. It is stronger and more durable than Stayfast Canvas and offers more sound protection. Haartz rates Twillfast RPC as a mid-level acoustic product, compared to the low-level sound reduction offered on other top materials like Stayfast
Warranties outlined here are only applicable for products installed by a professional trim shop or professional upholstery shop. For Convertible Tops, and related products, the manufacturer will void the warranty for any product that is not professionally installed; manufacturer defects are covered by the warranty in such cases. The manufacturer is not responsible for damage due to improper installation.
Parts in this category (Austin Healey Sprite Mark III) fit cars for years: 1965 and 1966.