Here’s an extremely solid Sprite we bought in California. We call it “Berkley,” and she is known to have lived in California for the past 20 years. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the car has been there since new. It’s rare to find a Bugeye that has all the original sheet metal underneath like this one, so we can be certain this one has been in nice weather for a good long time.

The car is equipped with a rebuilt 1275 engine with under 1000 miles since a major rebuild. That engine is mated to a rib case transmission from a later Spridget, that I presume was also rebuilt, since it shifts smoothly in all gears and has no issues. The synchros are excellent.

The interior is nice, although not brand new. The car has been driven, but not much for the last five or so years. Speedo and tachometer are from later Sprites, but we can change those if the new owner so desires. Speedo reads 22816 miles.

We’ve just changed the master and slave cylinder to new upgraded units and changed the radius arm bushings, all to make the car ready for a new home (not yet pictured). Disk brakes in front are a nice upgrade, and are working great. We’ve also tuned the HS2 (slightly larger, better) carburetors. The car drives wonderfully. Tires are just 2 years old, like new. An electric SU fuel pump is mounted on the rear bulkhead, a nice upgrade.

Muffler is nearly new. Good top and nearly new windows. Excellent side curtain pouch and jack included. The tonneau is a bit worn and needs a repair, which we can do, or we can fit a brand new one if you prefer.

All in all, this is an excellent package, in a sharp color, with a nice finish. There are some paint imperfections on the nose as shown in the photo album, and a few minor paint chips. But the real value of this car is the rust free structure.

Note that even the inside rear fender bottoms (above), which are almost always previously repaired (they trap water), are still quite virgin on this example. You’ll also notice the original primer color in the boot of the car (below).

I believe this car has had just one re-spray since new, and I bet this car was dark green from the factory when new as well.

Call or email if you would like us to ship Berkley to your door!

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Looking for a vintage Sprite that looks just like what the factory delivered back in 1960? Meet “Yellow”, a 1960 Sprite (AN5L 36149) that was restored about ten years ago and looks much like the first primrose Bugeye you saw in 1960. The car is fit with correct yellow seat piping and period correct bias ply white wall tires. I also like the vintage Lucas headlights.

The car was completely restored about ten years ago. 42,986 miles show on the clock. New footwell floor pans were installed at that time and the body is quiet solid. The paint still looks great. Interior is great too!

This is a nice stock car with a correct factory interior and the original 948 engine and transmission. We just pulled the engine and changed the clutch, which had been slipping. Front disk brakes were added during the restoration and this is a nice upgrade. A period ammeter also adorns the dashboard. The fuel pump was upgraded to an electric unit. Otherwise, the car is completely stock with the original 948 engine and stock carburetors.

A new top and good top bow is included, which was never fit to the car (we can fit it for you). A nice tonneau is present (as shown in the photos), along with original side curtains that need restoration. The car is also fit with an exhaust header. Original jack is included, along with a good original spare. The boot looks nice with the correct factory inner fiber board panels.

She’s a joy to drive, clean and shiny, and a very solid car. Please send an email or call if you would like to own this car!

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This is a restored 1959 Austin Healey Sprite Mark 1, AN5L 6825, a car we call “Mellow.” The car was owned for 40 years by the prior owner, and kept in nice climate in South Carolina. It shows… the car is rust free, without any blisters anywhere. This is a very solid car that benefitted from zero road salt and good garage storage.

Bugeye trivia: This is an early ’59 car that still has the long color-matched door handles. Note coil mounted on top of generator, an early car feature too!

The car is quite stock, with a 948 engine, smoothcase transmission and drum brakes all around. It’s great to drive, and looks great too. We have added a new carpet kit, new interior panels and new door edge gaskets to freshen-up the interior. Overall, the car looks brand new.

The car was repainted once along the way, and the paint is holding up quite nicely. It shines great. The gas cap is properly painted yellow… this was the way the cars came from the factory, with color-matched caps.

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