- Seller: Jesse M
- Location: Boise, Idaho
- Mileage: 14,501 Shown
- Chassis #: AN5L-43883
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 948cc Inline-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
UPDATE: While going through the parts that came with the car, we found a folder of receipts dating back to 1970s! Scans of the receipts have been added to the gallery.
UPDATE: We have relisted this little Bugeye with no reserve!
More than a few Austin-Healey Sprites and MG Midgets have passed through the Barn Finds Garage. We love these little sports cars, especially early Sprites. The Bugeye, as it’s known here in the US, is possibly the happiest car ever built. Not only do they always look happy, but they will put a smile on your face every time you see or drive one. Of the ones we’ve owned, all of them have been modified with larger engines, upgraded transmissions, and suspension upgrades. While they have all been fun, we’ve wanted to experience an unmodified example for years, but it’s hard to find one with its original drivetrain. So, when this one family-owned example popped up for sale here in Boise, we had to have it!
This Bugeye was sold new in California. It’s titled as a ’61 but the VIN puts the production date in 1960. Its original owner drove it regularly for many years and enjoyed it so much that they eventually had the car repainted and the interior redone. They handed it over to their daughter and son-in-law to care for and enjoy when they could no longer drive it. When the family moved to Idaho, they brought it with them and drove it occasionally. In the early 2000s, they parked it in their garage, where it stayed. This past spring, they decided to try and get the car back on the road, but a significant fuel leak kept it off the road. They decided to list it for sale rather than let it sit in their garage longer. When we learned about it, we had to look closer and were surprised to see that it still retains the 948 cc inline-4 engine and smooth case 4-speed transmission.
The interior would have been green since this Sprite left the factory wearing Leaf Green paint. When the exterior color was changed to the current darker green, the interior was redone in black. The dash and rear vinyl appear to be the original green pieces but were painted black. Some of the paint is worn off in spots, but you wouldn’t notice it if you weren’t looking for it. The seat upholstery has been replaced and is in usable condition, although some of the piping is damaged. During the interior refresh, carpet was installed in place of the original Hardura on the transmission tunnel and footwells. The gauges all work, and a ammeter was added to the dash. The previous owner also installed a radio and a speaker.
One of the big selling points for us was that this car is still equipped with the 43 horsepower 948 inline-4. The previous owner had started the work to get it running before deciding to sell it, but after replacing the fuel pump, the carburetors were leaking significant amounts of fuel. Getting the engine running was a relatively simple job, but making it a driver wasn’t so simple. The new fuel pump pressure was too high, so we installed a replacement, but its pressure is also too high. We installed a fuel pressure regulator and set the pressure at the correct amount, which fixed the flooding issues. We also rebuilt the carbs, adjusted the floats and installed PTFE seals in the jets, so the carbs no longer leak fuel and work great. Once the carbs were serviced, we removed the fuel tank, flushed it out, and lined it with fuel tank sealer.
Since the coolant hoses looked old, we replaced all the hoses, the heater control valve, the water pump, the thermostat, and the heater matrix, plus flushed the engine and radiator. New motor mounts were installed prior to reinstalling the radiator. We changed the fluids and serviced the rear end with new bearings and hub seals. We also installed a new master cylinder, brake hoses, wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, and clutch slave cylinder. Bleeding the clutch can be challenging on these cars, so we custom-made a remote bleeder, making the job easy. The engine runs great, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the differential no longer leaks out the hubs. There is still a small engine oil leak, but it wouldn’t be British if it didn’t leak a little oil!
We’ve put a lot of time into getting this Bugeye back on the road, but it still needs some tweaking to be ready for daily use. We aren’t sure why fuel pressure is high, especially from a mechanical pump, so that should be investigated further. The drum brakes will also need to be readjusted after it’s been driven more. Also, the transmission mounts are likely tired, but replacement mounts are included. Speaking of included parts, we have a box full of replacement rubber grommets for the firewall and interior, a few small trim pieces, plus the felt for the side screens. It’s a driver as is and presents well overall. We planned to keep this one around for the foreseeable future, but other larger projects demand our time and garage space, so we’ve decided to move this happy little Sprite along. So, if you’d love to have it, cast your high bid, and if you have any questions about it, let us know in the comment section.
Bid On This Auction
Aussie bid $7,750.00 2024-12-11 09:53:52
Joe Lake bid $7,500.00 2024-12-11 08:14:14- Aussie bid $6,750.00 2024-12-10 14:28:56
BritSport bid $6,500.00 2024-12-10 10:58:03- Telecom john bid $6,000.00 2024-12-07 07:50:39
discollecting bid $5,750.00 2024-12-06 21:31:21
Nic bid $5,500.00 2024-12-06 14:36:09- Telecom john bid $5,250.00 2024-12-06 09:59:55
BlisterEm bid $5,000.00 2024-12-06 09:30:26
britcars bid $1,599.00 2024-12-06 08:52:30
MartyOpp bid $999.00 2024-12-05 12:12:23
Sikerd bid $351.00 2024-12-05 12:04:14
Auburn P bid $101.00 2024-12-05 11:07:33
Nice car Jesse. I wouldn’t worry about the engine leak as there is no rear crank seal in these engines, just a “slinger”. Our ’62 Midget had the 948 engine and we put 14K miles on it in a year and a half with no problems. Could cruise all day at 65 mph getting 30 plus mpg. Have had 5 of these plus 2 square bodies and loved them all. Great fun.
Forgot one…we did have a square body race car too.
We aren’t concerned about the oil leak, we just want to make sure the next owner knows so it isn’t a surprise.
We use unfolded large cardboard boxes under our race cars as “British car diapers”
Hi Josh I would like to know if the 1960 sprite has working windows before I place my bid
The car has a top, bows, and working side screens.
This is one of the few cars that make you smile when you see one..So little and happy-looking! The car here looks like an excellent example. I’ve always wanted one, but garage space is currently limited…maybe if I move the fridge there, and the motorcycles over there, I could squeeze the little fellow in?
I just added a video looking at and driving this Sprite!
You make a good car salesmen Josh. One thing that was mentioned was ingress/egress because of the large steering wheel. I know it isn’t like original but we use 11 1/2″ aftermarket wheels to make it easier to get in the cars with driving suits and it does make the cars steer better.
My Primrose Bugeye had a wheel similar to yours. It really did make getting in and out easier, but I like the look of the original. Jesse is about 6’2″ and can get in and out of this one. It’s really the door opening that’s the problem.
I can’t imagine trying to climb in with a roll cage and racing suite on, that looks like it takes some gymnastics.
It’s not as bad as it looks. That left head restraint comes off to get in and out. Steering wheel comes off if you are really large.
Even a 13″ steering wheel makes a big difference. Anything smaller than factory original and one’s initial reaction might be “more twitchy” but I’ve learned to appreciate the twitch!
I’ve seen part of one and all of the other videos by the seriously injured Miata drivers that hit head on at the runoffs. Yup, after the Kink. I also got gory details from my favorite tow truck driver at one of the dinner parties.
I suggest more roll bar padding…it doesn’t weigh much.
12/6/24: Wouldn’t let this car get away with the present bid. Pull it and wait for a serious buyer!
The auction ends next week so there’s plenty of time for more bids.
the oil leaks are part of the ” non rust feature ” for under the body , it,s wot has kept my Bedford TJ,s rust free in the chassis , the body , not so lucky ,
Richard in New Zealand
I love the video, guys!
My very first running car was a Bugeye that I had built from spare parts, so have a bit of familiarity with them. I don’t know how or why, anyone who intends to drive it, would regard the original 948 and smooth case transmission as being a good thing! Install a 1275, ribcase or 5-speed, and a 3.91 rear end, and don’t forget front disc brakes and now you’ve got something safer and more usable. You can throw all the original stuff in a crate if some future owner just has to have it (although I really don’t think it will matter in another 50 years). But hey, I currently live in a “retirement” community where half the population drives golf carts, and the other half drives as slow as golf carts so gee, if the bidding stays low, I may enter a hopeful bid at the last moment! It will fit right in and be more fun than a Club Car or EZ-Go!
I hope this sells high! Not only for you Jesse but because of what we paid for our “rust free” Seattle Bugeye a couple of years ago..LOL She is generally pretty solid but I found a good deal of rot in the “hidden triangle” along the frame rails in the engine bay. Can’t replace them without pulling the engine and a good deal of the suspension. So she’s getting a disc brake conversion along the way. She’ll need similar work to carbs and tank I’d imagine. Working 90+ hours a week though gives me 0 hours to work on her. Springing a few extra grand to get a running/driving car is what we probably should have done… GLWTA!
I had a 1967 sprite. I loved that car. Some guy in a Buick turned left across my lane and my poor sprite was history
Volt meter, not ammeter? I looked at the photos and was relieved to see an ammeter. I’ve never really understood why anyone would want a volt meter, but ammetera are actually useful
Au contraire… I much prefer a voltmeter over an ammeter – – they foretell the future BEFORE a physical problem, ..usually before smoke & odor. Also they are simple to install using small gauge wiring.
“foretell the future BEFORE a physical problem”
Genuinely curious, since I see the ammeter as a way to tell if the system is charging, which it should be when running.
When starting, it takes a certain number of amps, an unusually high reading is a cause for concern regarding the health of the starter, , a possible short, or maybe the lubricants on cold startup. Too low with slow cranking than maybe it’s a bad connection , Otherwise, too many lights on when running and you can tell that the battery will go dead soon. Of course the ammeter also can detect shorts and current drain when the ignition is on but the car isn’t running. Oh and it wags with the turn signals.
The voltage meter is good for detecting faulty voltage regulators, and maybe a bad cell in the battery I guess?
Current is what sets the wiring on fire or cranks the starter, not voltage, and a healthy battery can maintain 13.5 volts whether it’s setting the car on fire or nearly dead.
Anyway, what can you predict with the voltage meter? Other than overcharging the battery I guess.
I always thought that voltage meters were cheap ways of filling up the dashboard with instruments. What am I missing ?
I’m the opposite and have replaced ammeters with voltmeters.
hugh crawford
“foretell the future BEFORE a physical problem”
Per my name Rallye:
Lighting performance is very serious.
Started messing with turbos in the 70s.
More volts = more light from the same equipment/wiring etc.
We had a customer having a problem with A/F getting lean sometimes. It turned out to be the voltage varying (Volts to fuel pump affected fuel pressure). An adjustable electronic V/R that maintained a steady voltage solved that.
I have little or no use for an ammeter except for my VAT 40 in the shop (Doesn’t get used much)… Rarely that position on a multimeter.
Low voltage might be a clue about a lack of charging.
SO tempted by this car, I had a leaf green ’59 for a few years that was so much fun and 40+ years later remembering brings nothing but smiles to mind ! Yours certainly is green isn’t it! Mine had disc brakes on front, a ribcase trans, when I got it it had a 1275 and somewhere along the way I remember hoisting a 1098 into that “engine bay” and being surprised to realize how tired the 1275 must have been! With no shop space and living in Colorado I shouldn’t bid though I really want to, thanks for the scads of additional memories that didn’t get mentioned here!
Nice little car!
Great video.
GLWS.
Enjoyed the walkaround video Jesse/Josh. Personally, the driving portion through warehouse areas with semi trucks and one F-250 with its turn signal on, made me wince! I remember now how one must keep their head on swivel in order to drive in 2024 (soon to be 2025)!
Flog the Frog(eye)!
Jesse, the auction with reserve topped below your number.
May the no reserve auction beat the previous high bid!
Aloha
These drive me just buggie!
This car is a beauty! Someone will get a nice Bugeye… or as they call them in England… ‘Frog-eyes’! The one I built ( if the picture will upload) was made from a rubber bumpered Midget! It was a fun hybrid project but not the real thing!! This one has a folding top and door handles. It’s not something you find on a Bugeye!
Still has the front bumper – that’s a big plus now and a rarity – back when I got my first Bugeye 1968 – 1969?? the first thing we’ do is throw the front bumper away and convert the front end to tilt forward. Now it’s nice to see them without the “improvements” I did as an unlicensed 15 year old!
I’d sure like to park it next to my ’84 S10 blazer. The baby blazer wouldn’t seem so little anymore. Great little toy.
Just a reminder that the auction ends in about two hours. I’ll keep an eye on comments in case any last minute questions come in. Be sure to check out all the service records we added to the gallery above. This is a no reserve auction so it’s going to sell to the high bidder regardless of the amount. Good luck!
Well bought Aussie! The car is going south to a warmer climate. Hopefully it gets driven regularly and enjoyed often. Thanks for everyone’s interest!