1961 Austin Healey Sprite Bugeye/Frogeye - Fully Restored

1961 Austin Healey Sprite Mk I Description

This 1961 Austin Healey Sprite Mk I, affectionately referred to as a Bugeye in the US and Frogeye in the UK, was purchased from a gentleman in Tucson who did a full rotisserie restoration. There is no rust and the custom paint is complete as the car was stripped all the way to the frame. Engine runs on normal unleaded gas.

Resale value from Hagerty is $32,900 based on Concours quality and this is arguably the nicest Bugeye on the market (I have never found one better).

Definition of Concours from Hagerty: Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."

Original restorer put over $42k into the car and I put in another $4k primarily for the wire wheels, tires, and carburetor. Great car for those wanting a highest quality collector that they can still have fun working on. There are new parts available through Moss Motors, Victoria British, and others.

General Information:

• Full rotisserie restoration so no rust and full custom repaint inside and out

• Tucson car show award winner (best Sprite)

• All new interior (seats, carpet, piping)

• Refurbished chrome

• Less than 450 miles since rebuild

• Starts from cold first try every time and runs great

• 1961 WA collector license plate included (registered as such in WA state)

Upgrades:

• 1275cc Engine (original was 948cc) from later Sprite model with .02 over-bore to 1300cc

• 5 speed transmission

• Front disk brakes with drilled and slotted rotors and red calipers

• Wire wheels (new hubs, axles, bearings, seals as well)

• Weber DGV downdraft carburetor

• Monza dual barrel exhaust

• LED head/tail/turn lights

• Detachable Momo steering wheel (wood wheel included if you want to put it back in)

• Performance camshaft

• Performance suspension

• Sway bar

• Front hinged hood

• Fuel regulator

• Red pedal covers (gas, brake, clutch)

• Well blended USB port where cigarette lighter used to be

Goodies also included:

• Wood steering wheel

• Unfinished canvas top – needs a lot of work to refurbish

• Alternator and new tachometer to replace generator

• Oil filter conversion to use modern filters

• Standard camshaft (wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep the performance cam)

• Spare set of brand new tires

• Lots of random little extra parts

• Hidden stereo, wiring kit and Fosgate speakers

Defects:

• There is a scratch near the right headlight (put there by previous owner)

• The fuel gauge sits on quarter tank - Moss Motors has all the parts you should need to fix this. My guess is the floater is the problem but have not looked into it.