1/15/2014 Update: This Sprite has been sold! Thanks for all the interest.
From 1/14/2014:
This 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite (Chassis AN5L33131; Body BAE24505; Commission AN524313) is a beautifully restored life-long West/Southwest car so is absolutely 100% rust-free with all original metal according to the seller. A few upgrades were made during the restoration, namely a professionally rebuilt “ribcase” gearbox, a Weber downdraft carburetor conversion, and a Crane XR-700 electronic ignition conversion. It will also please the purists as being a “proper” example with its original Spritely 948cc engine. The odometer shows 26,000 miles which the seller says are believed to be correct from new, and roughly 1500 of them are since restoration in 2008. The seller owns several of these and races them, so he knows the model well. This one is available in Scottsdale, Arizona for $18,500, and might be one of the best buys there all this Auction Week.
The Old English White body is truly exceptional with no signs of any rust and the only damage being a (repaired) bump to the left rear quarter panel near the taillight (evidenced by signs of the repair from inside the “trunk” on close inspection). The door and bonnet fit is perfect according to the seller, all factory spot welds and seams are present and precise, and the original steel bonnet has never sustained any damage. That is a remarkable feat for a Bugeye! This was a bare-tub restoration with all components being restored. You’d be hard pressed to find a better body on a Bugeye, this is not a car built from a catalog with new metal, it is all original BMC steel.
The interior is fully restored as well in proper red with piping. The gauges have all been restored, and Moto-Lita steering wheel is fitted but the original BMC steering wheel has been restored and is included. All weather equipment is present and new, with the exception of the original side curtains which have been restored to new condition. We absolutely love the color combination.
Mechanically the car is rock solid according to the seller, who says it starts instantly, runs strong and cool with great oil pressure, and that the Ribcase trans is extremely tight and positive. Everything works, including the turn signals and heating system, although the gas gauge has become intermittent. I suspect the float is sticking as usually taking a fast turn and letting the fuel slosh returns the gas gauge to service. The tires are Michelin XAS with 90% tread left but like all Michelins seem to do they now show cracks at five years old. All 5 original wheels are restored and the original (unrestored) jack is included. When asked about the brakes, the seller says: “The braking system is in top shape and will prove anybody that thinks these “need” a disc brake conversion wrong.”
Concludes the seller: “This is a great, honest Bugeye with fantastic integrity that has undergone a thoughtful restoration. It never fails to draw a crowd and will make even the most jaded sports car pilot grin the entire time they are at the wheel. After all, it is always better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow!”
Check out the additional photos here in the Flickr album and slide-show below.
