This week we have an adorable yellow Bugeye for sale. It’s an early car made in 1958 (AN5L 1593), which Samantha has named “Ducky.” Production started with car 501, so this would be among the first 1000 or so Bugeyes ever made. There aren’t many of those first thousand cars left, so this is a rare car!
Engine is 9CUH 1156, the original 948 engine that came with the car. Originality hasn’t been the focus of the restoration of this car, however, and while there are great original ’58 features present, the car has been primarily a driver, and so an electric fuel pump and Weber downdraft carburetor has been added, as well as a custom stainless fuel tank. Those components are easy to change if the new owner wants to move closer to originality. It’s very hard to find a good ’58 car, and this one has lots of potential.
The car presents well. There are a few small paint flaws, but the body is very straight and looks quite nice. The black stripes complement the car nicely. These are vinyl decals and can be peeled off if desired.
Floors were replaced with flat steel panels, and while not perfect, they didn’t diminish the pleasure one bit for the prior owner, who kept the car for the last 11 years.
She comes with a good top and aluminum side curtain cores that will need restoration. No tonneau, but we have those in stock.
We have not dug into sorting and fettling this car and it is going to need service. The front shocks are weak and the brake hydraulics will need refreshing. Tires have aged-out and should be replaced. The fuel tank either looks innovative or ugly depending on your perspective, and we have new ones here if you are in the later category. The heater core is missing (we have new ones).
We can upgrade everything for the new owner, or you can do it yourself and we can provide all the parts. We look forward to partnering with the new owner so they can have “Ducky” in whatever form they like.
If you are looking for an early car, this one has an original ’58 nose (smaller radiator shrouding) and tub with the 1958 anomalies, and this is a rare commodity in the Austin Healey universe. Notice also the early and svelte thin windshield still in place, with proper body color matched windshield pillars.
Give a call or email if you are interested in this cool 1958 Bugeye!
