1958 Austin-Healey Sprite

My own car..........and have owned it for many years. BUT NOT like one's average Bug Eye, read on....

Started with a beautifully restored rust free California car.....perfect floors, no undercoating or patching. And an excellent body with flip up fiberglass nose (opens like an E Type Jaguar). And over the years, have fitted a sensational drivetrain.

Less than 3,000 miles on a detuned Oselli race engine, bored to over 1,300 cc, new ported and polished aluminum crossflow cylinder head, roller rockers, twin 40 DCOE Weber carbs, tubular headers, 10:1 compression ratio pistons, balanced, vernier timing gears, oversize competition oil sump, electronic ignition, no idea on the horsepower but always felt the car went like a Lotus Elan.

Coupled to a rebuilt BW T9 five speed transmission and running through a 3.9 differential with hardened competition axle shafts. The result is that I have cruised comfortably at 90 mph + turning only 4.000 rpm. "Just like a real car."

Disc brakes with power assist, thick front anti sway bar, chrome wire wheels with 155R13 radials, twin solid state fuel pumps, new oil cooler, on board trickle charger, excellent (and fairly new) wiring harness, battery cut off switch, powerful shrouded electric radiator cooling fan, I had everything possible done to the car to make a Bug Eye into a genuine usable classic 'go-anywhere' classic car.

But there is more.....leather seats, all working gauges, calibrated 120 mh speedometer,digital stereo/CD, wood steering wheel, new matching red tonneau and new convertible top (with excellent side curtains). Has 3 point belts, a nice loud exhaust (and yes, can be quieted if wished), USB and 12v outlets, halogen headlights, everything I could imagine.

See,,everyone LOVES a Bug Eye but with a mere 43hp, a wide ratio 4 speed, very low gearing, tiny drum brakes, a nose shell one hopes doesn't fall on you where checking the oil, and maybe a 72 mph top speed, it really isn't that much fun to own and drive.

I did all of this work to make my Bug Eye a reasonable alternative to my formerly owned Lotus Elan S2. Granted, not as quick and granted doesn't have the same handling BUT is ten times more reliable, better directional stability, higher gearing, equal steering, equal shifting (but with a 5 speed), and after a few months in this Bug Eye, never regretted selling the Lotus.

And, sure it IS a 'Bug Eye' but my son, 6'3" and 280 pounds, has driven it a reasonable amount of times and yes, he does fit. So if you want a somewhat exotic little classic sports car, it might work for you.

As for me, have driven it on 200+ mile trips a number of times.....it always surprises me as to how good the ride is and have comfortable. And in 5th gear with its high geared differential, great at most any highway speed. UNLIKE most Sprites and Midgets which seem best around town.

But directions in life change and I decided to have this wonderful near seventy year old classic sports car move on to a new home. It really is special, everything works very well, starts on the button, and has provided a lot of entertainment.

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