If you have been looking for a one of a kind hot-rodded Bugeye Sprite, this stunner is worth a serious look! “Gray” is a Bugeye modified with many of the upgrades we have proven on my own personal modded Bugeye, “Gumby.” This is a special vehicle for anyone looking for the ultimate super Sprite. We’ve now built close to 500 Sprites, and this one has the benefit of our experience with pushing the envelope far enough to make these cars spectacular, but not so far that we lose the DNA of the original machine. We have also adorned the car with numerous high-end custom cosmetic subtleties. The end result is a special and unique work of art.
We started with a solid, bare shell and spent countless hours performing a rotisserie restoration. We then added a balanced and ported 1380 Oselli engine and new SU HS2 carbs, as well as a Ford five-speed transmission. The result is a very smooth and fast machine with a delightful fully synchronized gearbox. Spirited acceleration is a breeze courtesy of the robust Ford box with a synchronized first gear, and brisk acceleration finishes with a calming fifth gear overdrive. You get great off-the-line performance and a mellow fifth cruising gear when you want it. Disc brakes up front take care of stopping, and excellent 165 custom red line tires handle and ride nicely. LED lights throughout increase visibility.
Numerous custom details are on board. Every piece of chrome trim on Gray has been blacked out, from the headlight rings to the rear bumpers and everything in between! Our chopped windshield graces the cowl with special custom black powder-coated stanchions and matching hardware and cockpit trim.
Gray’s interior is completely customized. A black Hardura floor mat kit with custom red thread covers the floors, while custom-sewn matching black seats with new foam and red piping and stitching provide a comfortable ride. A completely hand-built matching head pillow adorns the all-black single-hoop roll bar.
More bespoke touches are present on the doors, with custom-sewn door pockets and check straps providing a little extra pizazz. Even the steering wheel has matching red accents. The dashboard, normally vinyl-covered when stock, has been striped to match the rest of the body. An upgraded GPS speedometer and electronic tach live in the gauge cluster.
One of my favorite details is the custom hold down straps for the flip forward nose with just a single hole in the right place. The car is full of little special touches such as this. If you want to be a hit at the next “cars and coffee,” this car will do the trick!
All-new suspension components have been installed, including front disc brakes, new performance shocks, new sway bar assembly, new springs, and all new brake and clutch hydraulics with premium DOT 5 silicone brake fluid. An aluminum radiator is fitted for premium cooling, a Pertronix distributor has been installed for superior ignition, and the fuel system is all-new from the HS2 carburetors to the solid state fuel pump and brand new fuel tank.
Gray’s expensive… but when you consider how much time went into harmonizing all these details into one fully restored and upgraded, show-winning, head-turning machine, it’s probably a steal. Call if you are serious about owning one of the best resto-mod Bugeyes around!
