/ /

1958 Bugeye Former racer, now street legal

Make: Austin Healey
Model: Sprite
Type: Convertible
Doors: 2
Year: 1958
Mileage: n/a
VIN: 34626
Color: White
Engine: 1275cc
Cylinders: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: 2WD
Interior color: Black
Drive side: Left-Hand Drive
Vehicle Title: Clean
Item location: Lompoc, California, United States

1958 Austin Healey Sprite Additional Info:

1958 Bugeye Sprite---Always a California car. Converted to a race car within 2 years of initial sale. Raced for many years by Bill Barham and his son. Logbook is included. After its racing career, the car was in covered storage for many years until Bill converted it to a street legal car. His son drove it around the streets of an Oregon city for three years, and at that point, Bill sold it to me.It currently has a 1275cc later model Sprite engine (not a race engine) that makes good power, and uses no oil that I can discern (no oil smoke). I added a brand new ribcase racing transmission from the Bugeye Guy in Massachusetts and the trans has less than 50 miles on it. As can be seen there are elements of the car that remain from the racer days, notably the rollbar, front sway bar, and the separate front/ rear brake systems. The gas tank is new. No rust on the floors, no patches. Bill is an Electrical Engineer and the wiring detail is amazing, and all documented with diagrams as shown. The top is great and is much easier to put up on a warm sunny day. The side curtains are weathered and are functional. The car has NO HEATER. That said, the heat from the engine makes its way into the cabin and it is comfortable on a cool day. When I replaced the transmission I took the engine to Dwayne Anderson Racing in Temecula and had all of the seals replaced. (engine out). Does it leak oil now you might ask. Of course it leaks oil, but very little now. If a British car of this vintage doesn't leak oil, it is out of oil. Everything works. Wipers (2 speeds) Lights (high/low beams, turn signals, brake lights, running lights, everything. There is a battery shutoff hidden under the dash. Brand new alternator. The emergency brake is an inline valve but won't hold pressure so essentially, no emergency brake. The hood (bonnet) is fiberglass and has been since it was converted. The original hood is long gone. The car sits very, very low, and handles like a go kart. Tires have about 90% tread. The paint is as it was when raced. It doesn't even pretend to be a shiny restored Bugeye. I chose to leave it that way. The interior is pretty good, and the seats are awesome. I have been back and forth about selling it for a long time, but I simply don't drive it. This is a runabout, though I feel that mechanically it would endure a trip of any distance. It has potential to be raced with a little work. It would need a taller rear end, for sure. Don't ask me what rear end is in it because I don't know. Adding a heater would be a fairly simple project and that are aftermarket heaters available. I also do not know what the compression numbers are on the cylinders and I won't be checking. The engine seems sound and has no issues that I am aware of. The funny VIN was assigned at random by Bill Barham and is completely legal. I will supply a photo of the pink slip by request.This is an extremely cool Bugeye with better electronics than the manufacturer could ever dream of with a great heritage and potential for relatively easy return to racing if desired. Thanks Questions?