1960 Austin Healey Bug Eye Bugeye Sprite classic vintage racing sports car

Austin Healey Bug Eye Sprite 1960

Always in California since new rust free highly modified and with fabulous performance

This is (probably) NOT the car for a purest. But in a world of replicas modifieds dual purpose race/road cars this Bug Eye is like few others……….

Excellent body title seems to show it was original sold in California in 1960 and California was the source for my acquisition. Paint looks great in pictures and from even ten feet but (how can I say this) is not ‘Pebble Beach’ quality. But for a road car and perhaps local show use more than adequate.

The tilt nose makes service a snap. The engine is a 1275cc BMC unit no idea as what was done during a recent rebuild but my tests show 175-180 psi compression in every cylinder 65-70 psi oil pressure when warm zero smoke cold (at start up) or hot (after a fast run. To me that is about as good as it gets. And the compression would seem to indicate a long way from ‘stock.’

With headers and a new 45 DCOE Weber carb the result is rapid performance. Remember the stock original 948cc engine was rated at a mere 43hp. And this engine? Dunno but I could believe 80-90hp.

Transmission is a modern Japanese 5 speed all synchromesh unit close ratios and (neatest of all) with a racing style shift pattern….1st gear out of the ‘H’ like an early Porsche 911 or 912. When one considers that this car is so powerful and so light I find starting in 2nd makes no difference.

It is at the top end that one sees the incredible changes…..low revs at 60-70 mph easy cruising at 80 or 90 mph. Amazing for a Bug Eye.

And the rest? Have a new top and tonneau (neither has been fitted to the car) original top frame……didn’t bother fitting the tonneau because IF the next owner wishes to retain the roll bar the tonneau will need some half moon shaped cut outs on the sides. AND if the next owner wishes to have the roll bar removed no need for the cut outs.

High quality Revolution alloy wheels 175R13 radials disc brakes rear sway bar clearly the past owner aimed this car for high performance use. A nice pair of padded seats lots of options….electric radiator cooling fan oil cooler wiring appears to be fairly new has new side curtains exhaust is a glasspack with a racing adjustable SuperTrapp muffler (can be made quiet or very throaty) everything works other than the speedo which is probably a matter of getting the right speedo cable for this application.

Has seat belts smaller diameter steering wheel starts instantly runs flawlessly and is a very efficient method of enjoying fast driving WITHOUT getting a pocket full of speeding tickets. After all on the road it is not how fast you are going rather how fast you think you are going.If you have questions you are encouraged to call me (during office hourseastern time) at 203-377-6746. Thanks for looking and good luck!

(This car is available for sale in a variety of publications and I reserve the right to end the auction at any time for any reason. As a nearly-30-year-old sports car it's offered as-is and where-is with no guarantee or warranty. I require a 10% deposit within 48 hours of sale and full payment within 7 days. I can help the winner ship this vehicle anywhere in the world.)