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Five Barn Find Bugeyes

green-bugeye

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!

red-bugeye

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…

Comments

  1. Avatar Leo

    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.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Don Sicura

    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.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Vince Habel

      I think you are right. They could be the next thing.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Dave @ OldSchool Restorations of North Alabama USA

    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

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Dolphin Member

    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.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Rancho Bella

    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.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Dave at OldSchool Restorations

    . 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

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

    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

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

    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

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

    Nemo

    $3000

    California car

    front disc brakes

    1275 motor

    convertible top bows

    has seat backs no bottoms

    dash and some gauges

    complete aluminum surround

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Dave at OldSchool Restorations

    … 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

    Like 0
  8. Avatar jim s

    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

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Clay Bryant

    Great article on Bugeyes in this week’s Autoweek.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Brian

    For a nice restoration see: http://www.teamsprite.com

    Like 0

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