Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite (1959)
Sale price: US $22,000.00 Make an Offer
| Condition: | Used | Year: | 1959 |
| VIN : | AN5l19666 | Mileage: | 24000 |
| Body Type: | Convertible | Model: | Bugeye Sprite |
| Make: | Austin Healey | Number of Cylinders: | 4 |
| Vehicle Title: | Clean | Transmission: | Manual |
| Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Vehicle description
“Delilah”, 1959 Bugeye Sprite, AN5L13666
I have owned this car since 1990 when I bought her as a stalled restoration.
I’ve owned and restored many British cars: various MGs, Triumph, Lotus. I enjoyed them all, and eventually they all went to new homes, all but his one.
This car is the one car which I have always said I will not sell. After all, cars can always be repaired or restored to new, or better than new condition. What I forgot to take into consideration is that people cannot be made new again, and so I have realized that it is finally time for Delilah to move on.
I restored this car without regard of expense or time. I have misplaced some receipts, but the ones I do have total $11,000, and that’s just parts, mostly at the prices of 20 years ago. Virtually all labor was done by me. What work was done by others consists of some machine shop work, and sewing the seats.
It was not my intention to build a trailer queen show car. Rather I restored and improved this car for use on the road. That said, she has won best in class the two times I have shown her.
Appearance was kept as original, but mechanical improvements for performance, reliability and safety were made as follows:
1275cc engine and ribcase gearbox
Front disc brakes
Front sway bar.
Billet steel rear axles from MiniMania.
3.9 differential. Speedometer calibrated to match.
Halogen headlights.
Delilah will keep up with modern traffic, and will cruise happily at highway speeds. She has never let me down. Restored and improved using the best available parts, she is the Bugeye Donald Healey would have built if the necessary parts had been available then.
Major work done:
Complete engine rebuild. Carburetors, distributor, starter and generator also rebuilt. Engine was rebuilt to stock specs except for modern 3-ring pistons and an Iskenderian MM-55 cam which adds a few HP. Runs fine on regular gas.
Complete new hydraulics: disc brake ¾” master cyl, wheel cyls, calipers, clutch slave, all hoses.
Complete new wiring harness, also every switch (including an unobtainium NOS heater cable/switch) and control new. Converted to negative ground.
Complete new clutch and ring gear
Complete new brakes including all hardware.
Complete new cooling system, radiator, water pump, fan, hoses, etc.
All Instruments and controls rebuilt/replaced/recalibrated. Everything works perfectly. Except the windshield washer which works like new: Spit-sputter ftzzz.
Complete front and rear suspension rebuild, king pins, tie rod ends, bushings, new shock absorbers, wheel bearings, seals, etc.
Tartan Red paint, DuPont acrylic/urethane. All chrome is either new or custom replated. There is a small blemish on the top of the grille, too small to be seen in the photos.
All new rubber body parts
New windshield and light lenses
Complete new interior – Leather on seats, doors, gear lever boot and instrument panel; matching vinyl trim panels, matching nylon carpet. New tonneau cover from Moss Motors
New custom tan top from Caribou Canvas. It has two very slight blemishes, too minor to be seen in photos.
New side screens from England.
Virtually everything else was tended to, right down to rebuilding the door hinges.
Radio is a period British Motor Corporation AM. It works as new, so don’t expect to receive distant stations.
9000 miles since completion. Car has never been in wet weather or outside overnight for 30+ years.
In the boot you will find what I call a “road kit” which includes a set of basic tools, water hoses, ignition parts, correct jack, spare fuel pump and other minor spares. I’ve never needed it, but….
Included are extra leather and vinyl material, extensive documentation, BMIHT Certificate, receipts and a box of miscellaneous spare parts which you may someday need.
Odometer shows 24K miles. Actual unknown, however it matters little since every component is either new or rebuilt.
Recent valve adjust, tune up, fluids and filters. Tune the radio to Buddy Holly and she’s ready to rock ‘n roll.
There are two steering wheels – a restored original 16” wheel which is presently in the car, and a 14” Moto-Lita.
I make no guarantees. Personally I would not hesitate to set off on a long road trip in her. I can pick you up at the GSP airport, or will work with the shipper of your choice.
Arrangements for pick up to be made by you, at your expense.
Car is for sale as is, where is, Spartanburg, SC. Pre-bid inspections welcome.
Terms: $500 non-refundable deposit by bank transfer or cash within 24 hours after end of auction. Balance in cash on pick up or by bank transfer in advance. No checks.
holmesjeffreyn@yahoo.com 864-579-4893
I have owned this car since 1990 when I bought her as a stalled restoration.
I’ve owned and restored many British cars: various MGs, Triumph, Lotus. I enjoyed them all, and eventually they all went to new homes, all but his one.
This car is the one car which I have always said I will not sell. After all, cars can always be repaired or restored to new, or better than new condition. What I forgot to take into consideration is that people cannot be made new again, and so I have realized that it is finally time for Delilah to move on.
I restored this car without regard of expense or time. I have misplaced some receipts, but the ones I do have total $11,000, and that’s just parts, mostly at the prices of 20 years ago. Virtually all labor was done by me. What work was done by others consists of some machine shop work, and sewing the seats.
It was not my intention to build a trailer queen show car. Rather I restored and improved this car for use on the road. That said, she has won best in class the two times I have shown her.
Appearance was kept as original, but mechanical improvements for performance, reliability and safety were made as follows:
1275cc engine and ribcase gearbox
Front disc brakes
Front sway bar.
Billet steel rear axles from MiniMania.
3.9 differential. Speedometer calibrated to match.
Halogen headlights.
Delilah will keep up with modern traffic, and will cruise happily at highway speeds. She has never let me down. Restored and improved using the best available parts, she is the Bugeye Donald Healey would have built if the necessary parts had been available then.
Major work done:
Complete engine rebuild. Carburetors, distributor, starter and generator also rebuilt. Engine was rebuilt to stock specs except for modern 3-ring pistons and an Iskenderian MM-55 cam which adds a few HP. Runs fine on regular gas.
Complete new hydraulics: disc brake ¾” master cyl, wheel cyls, calipers, clutch slave, all hoses.
Complete new wiring harness, also every switch (including an unobtainium NOS heater cable/switch) and control new. Converted to negative ground.
Complete new clutch and ring gear
Complete new brakes including all hardware.
Complete new cooling system, radiator, water pump, fan, hoses, etc.
All Instruments and controls rebuilt/replaced/recalibrated. Everything works perfectly. Except the windshield washer which works like new: Spit-sputter ftzzz.
Complete front and rear suspension rebuild, king pins, tie rod ends, bushings, new shock absorbers, wheel bearings, seals, etc.
Tartan Red paint, DuPont acrylic/urethane. All chrome is either new or custom replated. There is a small blemish on the top of the grille, too small to be seen in the photos.
All new rubber body parts
New windshield and light lenses
Complete new interior – Leather on seats, doors, gear lever boot and instrument panel; matching vinyl trim panels, matching nylon carpet. New tonneau cover from Moss Motors
New custom tan top from Caribou Canvas. It has two very slight blemishes, too minor to be seen in photos.
New side screens from England.
Virtually everything else was tended to, right down to rebuilding the door hinges.
Radio is a period British Motor Corporation AM. It works as new, so don’t expect to receive distant stations.
9000 miles since completion. Car has never been in wet weather or outside overnight for 30+ years.
In the boot you will find what I call a “road kit” which includes a set of basic tools, water hoses, ignition parts, correct jack, spare fuel pump and other minor spares. I’ve never needed it, but….
Included are extra leather and vinyl material, extensive documentation, BMIHT Certificate, receipts and a box of miscellaneous spare parts which you may someday need.
Odometer shows 24K miles. Actual unknown, however it matters little since every component is either new or rebuilt.
Recent valve adjust, tune up, fluids and filters. Tune the radio to Buddy Holly and she’s ready to rock ‘n roll.
There are two steering wheels – a restored original 16” wheel which is presently in the car, and a 14” Moto-Lita.
I make no guarantees. Personally I would not hesitate to set off on a long road trip in her. I can pick you up at the GSP airport, or will work with the shipper of your choice.
Arrangements for pick up to be made by you, at your expense.
Car is for sale as is, where is, Spartanburg, SC. Pre-bid inspections welcome.
Terms: $500 non-refundable deposit by bank transfer or cash within 24 hours after end of auction. Balance in cash on pick up or by bank transfer in advance. No checks.
holmesjeffreyn@yahoo.com 864-579-4893