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1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite

$19,800

Harry's Thoughts

This is a very nice example that is sure to help make its new caretaker many happy memories!

THE ESSENTIALS

1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite- Full Body-Off Restoration

[svgallery name=”1959_Bugeye”]

For 26 years this Sprite has been owned in Arizona and underwent a full body-off restoration. This Sprite is an eye catcher with its rare wire wheels, beautiful red paint and tan interior, top, side curtains and tonneau cover,. With only 280 miles covered since restoration, this motorcar is ready to be shown at car shows and concours events as well as toured through the countryside. While not a trailer-queen, this car would do well at local car shows and is presented well enough for concours events. Since the restoration was performed many years ago it will not be a top contender at concours events.

This is a no expense spared fully restored Arizona Sprite. The car was bought new in Arizona in March of 1959.  In as a very nice accident and rust free original example in about 1984 in Texas and immediately moved to the dry climate of Arizona with its new owner. (See photos of the car in the early 1980’s prior to restoration)[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h4yo1bshVQ[/youtube]

From 1985 to 2010 it was in the loving and caring hands of one owner who paid for its restoration. Upon acquisition he commenced an extensive restoration which included every nut and bolt being removed and replaced.

The car sat after its restoration (with no miles driven) and in 2001 he paid the experts at British Motor Classics in Phoenix to fully re-commission the motorcar by going through the engine, transmission, radiator and brakes. In 2010 we have again re-commissioned the motorcar and it is now ready for a new owner to love and enjoy on tours and car shows. It’s Pirelli radial tires and rare wire wheels are ready for touring at highway speeds and a steady 35-45 miles per gallon.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVH1RK90kg[/youtube]

Please review the photos of the restoration where the body was removed and “dipped” in stripping solvent to remove all traces of paint, etc. Examination of the body panels show that this car had never been in an accident nor, of course, had it ever seen rust of any kind.

Since restoration the Sprite has covered less than 280 miles. The photo shows that the mildly tuned Austin A-Series engine and transmission were also fully rebuilt, with less than 10 miles on the gearbox!! We have receipts for most all of the parts and restoration work, including all trim pieces, new wiring harness, brake and transmission rebuild, etc. The receipts cover from 1984 to 2010.

This is a fabulous opportunity to own a fully restored and sorted Bugeye Sprite for a reasonable value. Whether you are wanting a car to show or for weekend touring, this is a car with excellent provenance and history.  Please review the value guide as follows: Value Guide

Asking: Sold!  Back to Arizona!

Make an offer now!

1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite

$19,800

PRIVATE SALE STATUS
SELLER NAME
LOCATION USA
VIEWS 340

Comments


 
1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite
1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” or “Frogeye” Sprite

$19,800

PRIVATE SALE STATUS
SELLER
VIEWS 340

Austin-Healey Sprite

The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, two days after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model…
The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1971. The Sprite was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, two days after that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to the sporting versions of the pre-war Austin Seven. The Sprite was designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company, with production being undertaken at the MG factory at Abingdon. It first went on sale at a price of £669, using a tuned version of the Austin A-Series engine and as many other components from existing cars as possible to keep costs down. When the Mk. II Sprite was introduced in 1961 it was joined by a badge-engineered MG version, the Midget, reviving a model name used by MG from the late 1920s through to the mid 1950s. Enthusiasts often refer to these later Sprites and Midgets collectively as "Spridgets." The MG-badged version of the car continued in production for several years after the Austin-Healey brand ceased to exist.

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