If the 356 we just featured was too rich for your blood, then may I suggest this package of five Austin-Healey Sprites instead. The little Bugeye may not have the prestige of a Porsche, but it is still one of the world’s most iconic sports cars. It represented a bargain when new and still does so today. They are simple to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful. Find them here on craigslist in Vista, California for $2,000. Thanks again goes to Robert M for the submission!
With five to work with you should be able to easily scrounge up all the parts needed to repair one car after which you could sell the rest to recoup some of your initial investment. As always, the main concern here is rust. The seller has written descriptions for each car which he has also affectionately named. This ad has been up for a week so if the seller really is only asking $2k for the bunch there is a good chance they have already sold. I’m assuming they have prices for each car individually, but you never know…
The price isnt for the pkg of all five, it is the price of each one. Still a fantastic deal!! Great seller BTW!! Very knowlagable and i am sure would be a great resource over the course of one’s restoration.
These bug eye (or frog eye as they’re called across the pond) sprites have been getting lots of attention lately, it looks like the next big thing in collector cars, if you are thinking about buying one or two, you better act soon before they reach the status of the micro cars.
I think you are right. They could be the next thing.
John announced privately, these for sale a week before they went on C/L…
He sent me an email a couple days ago ……….. he has sold them all
The CL listing has been deleted already, probably because somebody bought them all. From the two photos of what look like genuine CA cars, a good deal.
Not that I have room, but this was thirty minutes from Rancho Bella.
I think these are a hoot. For some of you that think owning a pricey collector is the ultimate answer, it isn’t. I bet the Frog eye boys have just a much fun in their cars than the high price spread.
. John sent me these descriptions before they went on CL.
For Bugeye people, hey were pretty good Barn Finds… as he had them for a long time
Autumn
$4500
sitting since 1973
AZ car
original paint
has original wiring harness
very minor rust showing up in floor pans and one A pillar
1275 motor
1 1/4 SU carbs
good windshield
wipers and wiper motor
heater radiator and heater motor
seat backs and bottoms
complete surround
roll bar
extra $200 for front bumper and front disc brakes
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Flame
$4500
sitting since 2009
Calif car
very straight body with no visible rust
red paint is in good shape
948 motor (hole in number 1 piston)
choice of 1 1/4 SU carbs or weber carb
smooth car tranny
front disc brakes
dash, non stock gauges
seats backs no bottoms
top bows
good windshield
needs wiring harness
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Rosa
$3000
sitting since the mid 70's
orignal color Cherry red
painted once
Manhattan Auto logo on back of car
Calif car
very straight body
very original dash and engine compartment
minor rust in floor pan and bubbles showing in A pillars
1275 motor out of car
1 1/4 SU carbs
stock dash with all gauges
wipers and motor
has seat backs no bottoms
convertible top bows
complete aluminum surround
heater radiator and heater motor
original wiring harness
crack in windshield
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Nemo
$3000
California car
front disc brakes
1275 motor
convertible top bows
has seat backs no bottoms
dash and some gauges
complete aluminum surround
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… I would have been interested, since I bought one new in ’59…
then put A Judson blower on it in ’61 and moved to GP
…….but I have two at the shop now, one with a 1275 and the other with a Lampredi TwinCam
yes these are starting to go up in interest and value. if it was 5 for $2000 that would have been a homerun for the buyer even if you had to drag/ship them home. great finds
Great article on Bugeyes in this week’s Autoweek.
For a nice restoration see: http://www.teamsprite.com