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Full Size Model Kit: 1960 Austin Healey Sprite

From kids to adults many of us have loved cars our entire lives. When we were younger we played with Matchbox’s, Hotwheel’s, and various model kits for those that had the ability to hold attention for that long. Although the famous Bugeye Sprite isn’t much bigger than a model kit, this rust free example is ready for paint. This full size model kit can be yours for the asking price of $4,500. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Chandler, Arizona. Thanks to Ikey for sharing this model like find!

The good news is that we get a very clear image of the drivetrain, but the condition isn’t exactly clear via the listing. I would assume this was a running and driving car that the seller intended to paint and restore. Some mild surface rust can be seen on the drivetrain and suspension bits, but being in Arizona, I would guess that this Sprite has lived a warm dry life.

From the distant photos, the body work appears relatively straight, and the seller claims this to be a rust free machine. There is paint loss along the trunk area of this Sprite, but I assume that to be minor surface rust with no rot. Neatly disassembled, even the old dry, and likely problematic wiring harness has been neatly coiled up and kept. At this stage, a restoration seems like a no brainer, but perhaps there are those that want a fun unrestored Bugeye? Well if that is the case, then I suppose you could reassemble and perform a mechanical restoration/preservation on the machine and drive it as is. If this Bugeye is a rust free example, then it truly is a small yet fine gem that would be more than worthy of restoration. Would you take on this life size model kit?

Comments

  1. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Is it me or is there a bunch of Bug Eye’d Sprites and Corvettes coming out of the woodwork lately? Friend had one years ago and it was fun to ride in but I don’t know if I’d want to tackle one of these.
    I did see one that had a small block Ford (IIRC) planted into it. All I know is that thing had straight line acceleration that would knock your socks off.

    Like 1
  2. bobhess bobhess Member

    These cars are simple enough that painting and putting this car back together wouldn’t be too difficult and would be a fun project. We’re building a Vintage race car out of a rolling ’60 chassis and except for being interrupted by a hurricane has been a lot of fun.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Arfwoof

    I had mine apart to this extent and it wasn’t really hard at all to put it back together.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar art

    Wow..10 points for the seller.
    They did an enormous amount of work placing all of those parts in “clear to see” arrangements. Kudos to the seller.
    Hope there is a good shop manual included.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Harry Hodson

    I think that I’d feel better about the Project if I saw a few coffee cans full of nuts and bolts.
    There are a few good creases in the shert metal, also.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Andrew (Drew) Helgeson

    I did an MGB that far apart – all standard sized bolts, no metric there! Looks fairly easy / simple and great parts availability. I would tackle it, but – I have 2 Bantams lined up.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar waynard

    Working on a ’60 right now. Very straightforward and simple restoration. Prices going up on these.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Mike

    Holy cow! My kind of Craig’s List ad. This guy went above and beyond your standard CL offering. Rather than just pulling a ratty tarp off into a pile and take 4 unhelpful, blurry pictures, this dude laid everything out and in two different configurations no less! I’m contacting him right now and heaping some prase.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Coventrycat

    If they could take the time to meticulously spread those parts out, then photograph, why not just put the thing together?

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Jason

    Stumbled upon this. Not sure if it may still be available?

    Like 0

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