Austin Healey Sprite MK1 Bugeye NO Reserve BID TO BUY

Thanks to those who have shown interest.

The price will go no lower than the $10k start. so if you have been waiting. then now is the time to bid. otherwise I keep it

1960 Bug Eye – pretty much standard. NO RESERVE AUCTION. BID TO BUY!!

Start price is the reserve. so get in quickly for some of the best fun you can have on wheels

Insured by Shannons for $15000

Aussie delivered car – came from the UK as parts (called CKD kit – complete knock down kit) and assembled in Sydney (got it around the import taxes of the day – all Aussie delivered cars were done this way)

Car was registered without seatbelts - not a requirement on a car this old where they weren't originally fitted - however the original mounting points are the tops of the rear wheel wells. and if I was keeping the car. I would add them.

STEEL bonnet

2 stud windscreen surround

Standard 948cc engine. not original to this car.

Twin 1 ¼ SUs

Smooth case gear box. rebuilt in it's life by Needham  - ace sprite gearbox builder. (have original receipts)

New front floor Panels – old rusty ones cut out

New quarter elliptical springs

New brake pipes

New brake piston rubbers. everything rebuilt.

New brake shoe linings – original shoes relined by brake specialist

Complete new loom – with additions for radio. and electric fuel pump (still uses the current mechanical one)

Near as new tyres

Original glass lenses all round

New exhaust from extractors back

New hood

New windscreen

New carpets

Older tonneau cover. but no issues

Alternator conversion – Holden Barina I think - original generator gave up and didn't want to rebuild it. Charges a lot better anyway. Now you can have a radio. run driving lights. etc.

Has a complete heater setup – you don't need it even on a cold day – you get enough transmitted heat through the firewall.

Non original electric window washer. original push one in situ.

Rebuilt wiper motor.

I have an electronic ignition kit fitted which aids reliability and no more points to muck about with. goes in the original distributor. so completely undetectable from looking at it.

Most bits were rebuilt or replaced.

I have the rear badge. just not fitted.

Piles of old receipts and rego info.

The majority of the work was done nearly 10 years ago. despite its recent registration. such is life.

Things it needs/issues:

Speedo a bit erratic – needs cable re routed and possibly a service – I use a GPS speedo app on my phone

Tacho non working – cable drive from the original generator (which was replaced). Could do a conversion with a later electric tacho and put the original face on (That's what I'd do)

Seats are not original. they are from a later model or an MGB. are a bit too wide. and crappy support. I pad them from underneath and they are fine. One has a small split. To replace the seats would be $$$ each for proper MK1 units. or go after market race ones or I believe Datsun 120y ones fit pretty well. but have high backs. not low ones.

The rear shroud that goes behind the seats has been cut back. more like a MK2 – about 20cm back from the rear of the seats (previous owner at some stage). On a bug they come across almost directly behind the seats. with nearly no gap. This was probably done to have better access to the rear boot space (there is no boot lid on these). This was a fairly common modification. but originally the shroud came right up to the seats. Personally I don't mind – it's pretty useful really. and would actually be a bit of a pain if original. It can be make original. but it means removing the rear seams and pulling the panel work apart – apparently an absolute pig of a job. and really if it bothers you. you are better off with another car (cant be more honest than that). When it was first done the shroud was cut back and simply hammered over some round steel as a form – very crappy. heaps of body flex. It has been unrolled. and has a 1 inch steel strap brazed in along it's length. and now looks very neat. and no flex. If someone unfamiliar with these saw it. they wouldn't know it wasn't standard. If you want to see what I mean then look at a picture of the body of mine and one off the interweb. and look at the gap between the seat and the rear of the body. Original hood still fits fine. no issues.

Engine number and VIN are not to usual Sprite specs as the purists will notice. In the absence of an ID plate . VicRoads made up a number based on the various ones stamped on the body - they were on the scuttle. front inner guard and front suspension mounting point.

 I am sure there might be other little things – there always are. but these are the ones off the top of my head. The pictures form part of the description.

 Paint is generally OK but not awesome. Painted Brooklands Green. actually a classic Triumph colour.

 Runs on standard unleaded fine with valve saver additive.

 Car has wood rim wheel with original horn push inset (tricky job that…) – also have the original steering wheel. and a smaller black leather covered one.

  Various odd spare bits. including a rear half shaft. will not separate and they all come with the car.

 Car runs and drives well – I had used for about a month as a daily driver – Geelong to Bacchus Marsh – about a 100km round trip. no worries.

 Complete Bugeyes with steel bonnets go for stupid prices now – even for crap ones – if you can find one at all.

Despite popular opinion. modified cars with bigger engines and coil suspension setups are not worth more than original cars. Steel bonnets alone can fetch some thousands of $.

If you want a show car – you'd need to spend a fortune on this to get one (or any sprite for that matter). This is an honest driver and a very reliable car. and even as is. it's pretty good.

Don't forget these are now over 50 years old - so don't expect perfection.

 They don't have startling performance – and with these cars it's very much the journey that is fun. Whenever I drive it. I ALWAYS get people smiling and waving.

 It cruises on 100 kph fine.

I can answer any question as honestly as I can – contact me via ebay in the first instance. Come and check it out. no joy riders (although every ride is a joy). I strongly recommend having a look at it or any Sprite for that matter. before you buy.

Sale is final and there are no returns if you have buyer's remorse. partner doesn't know you bought it one drunken night. etc.

Also published at eBay.com.au

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