'59 Bugeye in a Box - Project

1959 Austin Healey Sprite Description

This 1959 Bugeye better known as Bugsy, started life as a RHD Car originally registered in the UK, made it’s way to Quebec in the late 60’s and was purchased by the PO in the early ‘80’s and ended up in Burlington ON as a LHD Bugeye. Canadian winters took its toll on this BE and in 1983 the car was stripped to bare shell by the P.O. to have the following body work and new panels welded in: New Outer Rockers L & R, A-Post replaced L & R side, Inner Footwells L & R, Inner Rocker DS, and Partial PS, DS Complete Floor, Rear Bulkhead Repair. Complete Rear Boot replaced, Rear Quarter Panels behind wheels, Boot was de-seamed in the rear with Brass and Lead Filler. Seams could be added but it looks really nice and smooth in the rear.

For the next 30 years this BE was moved from one garage to another and always lovingly stored inside as future Project. P.O.'s career progressed, and he became involved with Porsche's and this car never got put back together. I purchased Bugsy in Boxes and trailered him home to Dayton, OH in April 2013. Bonnet that came with the car was upgraded by me to a better bonnet off of another Bugeye. The White upgraded bonnet shown in the last 3 Pictureshas some surface rust but fender seams are all intact and solid.

What was not done by the bodyshop that did the work on this car, was replacement of the PS Floorpan and repair to rear Bulkhead where floor meets the bulkhead. I mounted Bugsy on a rotisserie and thefloor on the PS has been removed and prepped for a new floor to be welded in. Car comes with over $600 worth of replacement body panels including; a new PS Floorpan and Complete Rear Bulkhead, along with Floor stringers and Front Cross Members for both sides, and a Front Wheel Arch Repair Panel. All body panels were purchased from AH Spares in the last year. My 40+ hours of effort to remove and drill out a gazillion spot welds for the floor pan will make it easy to get this project restarted in quick order.

Purchase Price includes a Fiberglass Hardtop with Side Curtains, Sidecurtains need new Lexan and Seals, a 30+ y.o. NOS Front Grille, totally straight never installed that needs re-chroming,new 30+ y.o. Top in Black, never installed but some wear on window from being folded, Tonneau Cover, Black, functional but again 30+ y.o., Black Seats and Frames, Complete Interior and Instruments, Lights and Signals, Wiring Harness, Red Door Cards and Interior, could be recovered for a budget interior or sprayed for a new color. Rear Springs have been taken apart and refurbished. All of the parts and pieces shown come with the car with exception of Top Frame. There are boxes and boxes of parts and pieces too many to mention but all parts are there to complete the car.

Car does not include Engine or Transmission. A later Sprite or Midget < 1974 will provide donor Front Disc Brakes, Master Cylinder, 1275 Engine and Rib Case Tranny. The 1275 is a substantial improvement in power over the original 948 cc engine. If interested, another lister let me know today that he has a 1275 and a 4 Speed Ribcase Tranny available. I can get you hooked up.

Why am I selling?After an off and on 3 year journey with this car, I had the opportunity to drive a friends finished Bugeye in California in May of this year, with +.030 over 1275, upgraded to a Datsun 5-Speed Tranny and Front Disk Brakes. I decided I could not wait several more years to get to drive a Bugeye again, and found a Rust Free, One-Owner Bugeye from CA, that is now sitting in my one car garage. This car is not finished either, but based on my time available this car will be driven this Fall.

This car is being sold with a Bill of Sale only. Ohio BMV will not grant me a Title to this car as I am missing a paper copy of the Registration when this car last received License Plates in 1985. I do have a Notarized Bill of Sale, Customs Import Documentation, as well as paperwork from the Canadian BMV certifying Registration, and the Storage License Plate that was issued for this car. An OH Title can be obtained but it will require about $250 in Court Fees. This BE is currently covered with a tarp and mounted on a rotisserie and will need to be transported on a trailer.

Winter is coming, I do not have space to store this car indoors and I want to pass this Project on to another prospective Bugeye owner. My loss is your gain. The hard really body work on this car, like replacing the rear clip isdone.With some effort this Winter, Bugsy,can be driving come Spring. Restored Stock Bugeyes sell in the Mid Teens, really nice Bugeye's sell in the mid $20's. Prices for this fun little car continue to rise. If I had the space available I would save this car for another Restoration Project. This is an unbelievably fun car to drive and it turns heads wherever you go. Plenty of more pictures are available. Car is located in Dayton, OH. Questions call Jim, 937-654-6388.