The basic Sprite/Midget family of sports cars were in production for 21 years. At the end of the run the same basic car had different styling, a different engine, transmission and rear suspension. Here's how to identify the different cars.

May 1958:
The Frogeye Spite was introduced, with it's distinctive nose style, and no external boot access:                                 

May 1961:
Frogeye Sprite dropped:                                 
Restyled car, with squared-up nose and tail
Style plus external bootlid, in two types:
Austin Healey Sprite MKII                                 
MG Midget MKI                                                                                               
                                     
October 1962:
Both cars given 1,098cc engine,
front disc brakes:
Austin Healey Sprite MKII                 
MG Midget MKI                                         

March 1964:
Remodelled with half-elliptic
spring rear suspension . Wind-up windows fitted.
Austin Healey Sprite MKIII               
MG Midget MKII                                   

October 1964:
Further changes with a 1275cc engine
Austin Healey Sprite MKIV                     
MG Midget MKIII                                 

October 1969:
Small cosmetic changes for 1970                           
Austin Healey Sprite                           
MG Midget                                               

January 1971:
Last car badged Austin Healey       
First Austin badged car                   

October 1974:
The last chrome bumper model
Midget Midget                                           

November 1979:
Last MG Midget built                                   

Austin Healey Frogeye
Sprite MKI                                   

Austin Healey Sprite MKII
948cc                                       

Austin Healey Sprite MKII
1,098cc                                         

MG Midget MKI
948cc                                             

MG Midget MKI
1,098cc                                           

Austin Healey Sprite MKIII               

MG Midget MKII                             

Austin Healey Sprite MKIV           

MG Midget MKIII                 

Austin Sprite (1971 only)             

MG Midget  (Rubber bumpers)
1500cc                                       
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL cars built     
--------------------------------------------------------     

Frogeye Sprites were only built from
1958 to 1961

Revamped Sprites & Midgets were built from 1961 to 1975

Austin Sprites were only built in 1971