- Seller: Michael M (Contact)
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Mileage: 11,880 Shown
- Chassis #: OR85302
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.5 liter GM 4 cylinder “Iron Duke”
- Transmission: GM Turbohydromatic
I’m a bit of a sucker for an Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite. Not only are they fun to drive, but they’re also the happiest car out there. Their only real weakness is their lack of horsepower. While most people fix this by installing a 1275cc, someone went a very different route with this one. We will dive into that in a moment. The seller needs it out of their garage, so they are offering it here on Barn Finds for $4,500.
While we’ve seen tons of 1275-powered Bugeyes and even some V8-powered ones, I don’t think we’ve ever featured one with a GM Iron Duke. It’s definitely an interesting option, but it looks like someone spent a huge amount of time getting it to fit. The 2.5-liter Iron Duke is significantly larger than the original 948cc and produces two to three times the power. It’s a heavy lump of iron, but having the extra power would be a welcome addition.
Since the car came to the seller with the engine swap already complete, they don’t know what all went into making it fit. The Bugeye’s engine bay is surprisingly roomy, but the engine appears to be sitting behind the front wheels (which is a good thing for handling), so it’s probably safe to assume some metalwork was required to make it fit. The seller notes that the floor pan appears to have been modified to accommodate the GM Turbo-Hydromatic transmission, which isn’t surprising given the size difference between a GM automatic and a BMC 4-speed manual. They also believe the rear end was upgraded to handle the increased power. The engine starts, but won’t idle below 1,300 rpm. Getting it running right might be as simple as installing the included replacement Holley carburetor. The car currently has a 4-barrel carb, but a new 2-barrel Holley with an adapter plate to mount it to the Offenhauser split-plane manifold is included. The 4-barrel is likely too much carb for this engine.
From the outside, you can’t really tell that the engine has been swapped, but once you take a look at the interior, you know that things aren’t stock. The transmission tunnel has been modified to fit the automatic shifter. The dash is from a Mark II, but an original-style dash is included. The steering wheel is also a replacement part, but it isn’t uncommon for the original large steering wheel to get swapped to a smaller one. The seats look to be the correct Mark I style. Included with the car are a rollbar, a hardtop, the soft-top bows, and a new fuel tank.
Someone did a ton of work making this Bugeye into a hot rod, while undoing the work is possible, getting the Iron Duke running probably makes the most sense. It has to be a unique experience with this engine and would certainly be a fun talking point at car shows. The seller suggests it might also make a good candidate for an EV conversion, which is popular these days, and since this one isn’t original, it might not be a bad option. The seller wants it gone, so take a closer look, leave any questions in the comments, and make them an offer!
It’s an interesting abomination! Some work went into this for this engine swap…but an automatic transmission? Yikes!!!! A 1275 BMC swap would have been a lot easier and better in the long run. I don’t think there are too many British guys who would want this but I may be wrong in these times! The rest of this bugeye looks decent but the ‘undo’ looks to be too much work! ( at least for me anyway) and I know these very well!!
Agree. The engine has to weigh a ton more than the original and the transmission doesn’t help things either. If it’s still got got the original 200 lb front springs you don’t want to go barreling into a corner full bore. Our minimum front spring rate on the race cars is 600 lbs and one of our cars used 900 lbs. It’s pictured here with a 100 hp 948 engine with a Ford T-4 transmission behind it rated at 300 hp capable. Think I’d go somewhere else for a Bugeye.
Are you planning on coming to RA for the runoffs?
Rallye… Couldn’t get a reply to you off the post so it’s coming to you by email.
Bob,
No email yet.
JOSH
JESSIE
Help us connect please.
I admire the effort… but misguided at best…
Some pics of the underside would be helpful.
They ruined a good car, as stated a 1275 swap is the way to go. Not for me ,& i have had plenty of Sprites & MGBs,never an automatic.
I ran a Usac midget powered by a iron duke engine. You can get tremendous reliable power out of it! Would be a fun car to have. Wish I could afford it!
I had a deep V Rankin 20′ boat. It had the Iron Duke powering it. I had no trouble pulling a skier.
Silly trivia…. Although many boaters think the 3.0L 4 used in their Mercruisers / OMC / Volvo-Penta was based on the Pontiac “Iron Duke”… it actually was not. It was based on the Chevy 153/181 motor family (the one used in the Chevy II)… a significantly different motor. It’s what powers my 19.5 foot Stingray bowrider. There was a marine version of the “Duke”, but it was a specialized racing engine… used in American Power Boat Association racing.
This swap probably may not have resulted in a happy camper. Yet the proposed EV transformation is an worse option. A 100% waste of money and time. Nobody will use an electrified Healey for more than once visiting a local cars & coffee. And than to race back home in silence and shame being the laughing stock of the gathering.
Oh I don’t know… you may want to watch this from BUGEYEGUYDOTCOM…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZMUyzSpF_4&t=266s
I see a castrated Buggeye body on top of a washing machine. With heaven forbid a GM Opel logo on the steering wheel !?!
And the happy chap who is pushing the prigram buttons is going to drive this every weekend? It’s my – yes very subjective – impression that contraptions like this are only built for tv programs, youtube or insta. And after that are thrown in a corner behind the workshop.
Yes, the rear differential was swapped out also. The picture shows a 5 lug wheel and naturally the original 4 lug front. 2 spares behind the seats might help with the unbalanced heavy front end! (But only slightly) Which would make this little brick even heavier. I can’t imagine what the rear quartereliptical springs are thinking. Even though the Iron Duke is no torque monster, with the added weight of the engine/transmission, two spares and the added torque. The whole car has to feel like a pig. The price is not terrible and the work/ingenuity to combine all the pieces is somewhat admirable.
BUT I think it is a big mistake. (and I love goofy engine swaps!)
Ya but an automatic? Blasphemy! Small nimble sports cars do not have slush boxes.
What a waste of a Sprite!! Whoever is responsible should be flogged.
The PO heard from his PO that it was going to be a drag car with a 302 V8.
Will post pics of the front end. The rear end is apparently from a Chev S-10 for the torque. Front tires are 155/80 R13, rears are 185/65 R14.
The body (except floorpan and tranny tunnel) is clean/straight. No dings & no bondo on entire backend (fenders & deck) or bonnet. Good enough to replace a heavy wreck or rust-through car.
I considered replacing the slushbox with a T-5 but then might as well pull it back to a 1275, or go up to a 1440, 100E, Miata, etc. Having just finished a full resto on my Morgan I’m ready to rest awhile.
It is a kick at speed but a bear in traffic with the high idle.
Please show a clear image of the driver footwell including the brake and gas pedal locations. Was the tunnel welded all around, or is it removable? Also is the hardtop rear window glass or plastic? Thanks
The current tunnel is all plastic from a different car (likely the transmission donor car), bolted in. Original metal tunnel was all cut away from firewall to rear arch. New floorpan and tunnel needed to go back to original.
Hardtop has real glass for window.
Pedal box.
Correction on the tunnel, about 12″ of original metal connects to the rear arch so it retains some rigidity.