This 1960 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” Sprite has been stored for over 10 years in an air-conditioned garage. Now it’s ready for you — how could you refuse that grin? The price isn’t bad either; read on for more details. Thanks to frequent finder T.J. for calling this little gem to our attention!
Unfortunately, this is the largest photo of the Sprite the seller cared to post. Despite “needing a full restoration” according to the ad, I think the paint looks terrific, and we’re told the car has “no visible signs of rust.” A light green color called Leaf Green was available in 1960, but I don’t believe this paint is original, as it appears metallic. Perhaps a period Aston Martin color?
In case you aren’t familiar with the early Sprites, they were so simple they didn’t even have a trunk lid! Seeing both the rear over riders and front bumper in place is also unusual in my experience unless the car has been restored. If I were guessing, I’d place this as a 1990s-era restoration that received little usage since. The car is listed as a 1961 model, but a VIN search shows it was manufactured between July and October 1960.
Donald Healey and the company didn’t consider the radio very important! I wish we could see the seats and carpet, but this is the best view we have. I’d also like to know if a top, side curtains, and top frame come with the car, although that wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for me. My first car was a Sprite (I was 12), and although I never got to drive it legally on the road, the top pretty much stayed down waiting for my Dad to drive me places!
We have no way of knowing (unless a reader can tell from looking) whether this is the original 948cc engine or a later (1098 or 1275cc) version, but regardless, the little A-Series mill is known for its peppyness and longevity. Okay, those are relative terms when it comes to old British sports cars, but in this case, they apply. This is a car I’d be pursuing if I could, and if you want to, it’s listed for sale here on Craigslist in Cape Coral, Florida. The asking price is $8,500; as a point of reference, Hagerty lists a #4 condition car at $7,900. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Front of the cylinder head says it’s a 948. Healey didn’t ignore the radio. Where this radio sits is where there are cutouts to mount one. They didn’t cut the vinyl cover so you could put whatever radio in that you wanted to or not have a radio at all.
Yep, I remember it was fun to change channels. But with the Car being so narrow, did make it easier to ” Stretch ” over to the passenger compartment to change Channels ( When Riding alone anyway )
Bob — agreed — I was just pointing out that by putting the radio in front of the passenger, it was obviously not considered terribly important to the driver ;-)
This thing is as cute as a pup’s ear! I’d love to have it (or another) with a good top and one of the more powerful engines. The 1275 sounds peppy!
Two things that should be issued at birth, a banjo and a Bugeye Sprite. Big smile, everybody is happy,,I wonder, does that grill turn upside down when a dually pickups is riding your arse? Someone 2 towns over has a Mk.ll for sale, needs work, but I bet a grand would get it. Then what? There are places here to drive such a thing and not worry about the dually pickups, but at some point, you have to take a main road to get to those “other” roads, and therein lies the guff. This car is no different than a motorcycle or ATV, just for fun. It will do 65 mph, but feels like the world is coming apart, and much happier at 40-45, or less. They really are fun, simple cars, if the size doesn’t intimidate you. Maybe I should at least take a look see at the Mk. ll, you know, just for gits and shingles.
About the banjo.. I went to a concert with Dan Tyminski and he told a story about coming home telling his mom that he wanted a banjo. “Great, she thought; the perfect birth control until you’re at least 30. And yeah, it worked that way”
I’ve been looking for a MK 2 myself. Where’s the one that you have passed up?
I passed a 3-car convoy of LBCs led by a Midget a few years ago. I was astounded by how little they are. Made my Corvette look huge by comparison. It takes a lot of courage (or a death wish) to drive one of these in the land of F250s.
But I still want one.
I drive my 1500 Midget like I would a motorcycle. I pay a lot of attention to others and assume that no one sees me.
I’ve had it on the highway, but yes, it likes country roads best.
I love the color on this one original or not. A built 1275, and rearend change would be all that it would take for me, after i turned myself into the 25 yr old self that reads and fantasizes about this stuff.
If I had the room…..A car full of fun on the weekend. Drive them with care and sensibly, watch for those other stupids on the road. As a brass era car owner, stay on the country roads as much as possible. Take the slower pace of life. Enjoy the scenery. Stop and smell the roses as they say…..(and stop for ice cream too) Hmmm, I should take the Alldays and Onions out for a drive….
It doesn’t look bad from the pictures, lots of correct parts that you rarely see on Sprites as they usually have seen a lot of modifications. Everything is available for getting a Sprite running again but it quickly adds up. The brake master cylinder, rebuilt shocks, new kingpins… things that are usually needed. But they are easy to work on and lots of fun when put together right.
As to the comments about a 1275. They usually come from people who may not have driven a good original Bugeye. The 948 may not be for the dragstrip, but it’s eager to rev and you can have lots of fun pushing to the redline for each shift. I found a nice original Bugeye to be the most fun of the Sprites I have owned. Sure a 1275 is faster but who are you kidding, any minivan will leave you in the dust anyway so just enjoy it the way it was intended.
Lot of good comments above, but I just want to say amen to Keith and Beyfon’s takes. Couldn’t agree more.
These little things hide rust. The sills look good as does the bonnet.. but it likes to take hold in the frame/body supports next to the engine and the spring pockets/bulkhead out back.
Never buy a car for more than you can afford to lose.
If I didn’t have an Iris Blue bugeye waiting for some rust repair sitting in the garage, I’d be pursuing this one.
bought iris blue 61, stage 5, new…eng 9cuh40178…why??so many parts ordered…got 90 miles, home, from dealer…rods knocking, had no oil in it…be blessed, grateful, prepared…58 100/6, sunbeam alpine &, imp, 62 super seven, formcar formula vee 63, new 68 bug
Should fit in the bed of my F250. “Don’t worry little buddy, I’ll save you”
Post deleted by author. Someone took the little rascal home I suppose. Back in the 70’s my brother had one and let me borrow it on occasion. Really fun as I remember.
Ad is down, so someone probably got a good car for not a lot of green.
Note, “Frogeye” Sprites did not have carpeting they had a rubber floor coveringm. Carpeting gets added by most people restoring them.
And yes, I knew two people who them when new
You’re right, Karl, and I’m guessing you are on the other side of the Atlantic from me with the reference to “Frogeye.” Thanks for sharing!
I bought a brand new 61 Bug Eye. My buddy had a fuel injected 58 Corvette. We would double date in them. We would come to a Red traffic light and sit alongside each other revving the engines to the amazement people looking for the action that would follow. Then we would motor away. I had the pleasure of towing that tank of a car home. Had to get a push to get it going. No cameras!
Gad! I could have sent that to G. M. Did I say it was Fuel Injected