Around the shop

How to downshift your Bugeye!

January 16, 2026 by bugeyeguy

We’ve been asked many times the proper way to shift… how, when, how often… and so, here is a pair of videos, part two of our series in “How to Shift your Bugeye Sprite” to help anyone who has been curious! Enjoy the ride, featuring “Solo,” our sweet Bugeye we have currently for sale!

Part 1 (above) is an overview of the multiple different ways to downshift, while part 2 (below) focuses on the art of double clutching.

You can see the Spridget transmissions we sell in the links below. But no matter what British classic car is in your stable, we can fix your transmission so don’t hesitate to get in touch!

And don’t forget the cardinal rule… be kind to your gearbox and it will reward you for generations!

*5-speed gearbox conversion for your Bugeye and any Spridget*

I always add oil, do I still need to change it?

January 16, 2026 by bugeyeguy

Yes!

Take the photo below as an example. This is an engine that did not get sufficient oil changes. We wiped one finger from center top diagonally downward and you can see sludge and water that has lived in this pan for too long. It’s a great reminder that you should change the oil on your classic car at least once per year (and more frequently if you exceed 3000 miles per year). We’ve had more than a few folks suggest that oil changes weren’t needed since they add so many quarts of new oil routinely throughout the year (one quart at a time).

We took the pan shown above off a 1275 engine to reseal it and add a rear main seal kit. We were surprised to see evidence of a history of insufficient oil changes. We published this to hopefully help remind the community that oil changes matter. We use Valvoline VR1 20w-50 non-synthetic racing oil, which has zinc additive in it to aid with properly lubricating the internal parts on these old engines. Also check out the video below from a couple of years ago, documenting a different engine with the same issue!

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Axle ouchie

January 9, 2026 by bugeyeguy

The unassuming pile of random metal chunks shown above may look pretty innocent to most, but they are the remnants of a crippling failure that will ground any Bugeye in an instant.

The pictures shown here are just a few examples we have encountered over the years involving axle shaft failures on Bugeye Sprites. This is a failure that is not uncommon in Spridget circles; often (but not always), overly aggressive acceleration, deceleration, clutch dumping, burnout attempts, or other automotive hijinks are the culprit.

But many of our more recent examples have come under completely normal driving conditions. For example, the axle bits in the top picture were removed from Jose’s Bugeye over the holidays in our shop after he heard a pop and lost all forward motion while driving in New York City. He originally thought he had a clutch issue, but once we learned more, it became apparent a broken axle shaft was to blame.

We offer in our catalog both new and used axle shaft options, should you encounter a broken one in your Bugeye. Click the links below for more information, or click here for our complete catalog!

*Used axle shaft for bolt-on wheels (sold individually)(All Spridgets)*

*New Axles for Wire Wheels – Sold Individually (All Spridgets)*

*Competition Axle For Bolt On Wheels- PAIR (All Spridgets)*

Bugeyeguys 2025 Year Review (in photos!)

December 31, 2025 by bugeyeguy

Happy New Year! This year we’ve sent about 30 Bugeyes to happy new homes and have serviced about 100 or so more.

We’re happy to be of service to the classic car community and to help keep these wonderful British Sportscars alive and well to be enjoyed for many years to come!

If you or someone you know needs repair work on their classic British car, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Employee old car day: Sam’s Chrysler, Terry’s Bus & Ken’s MGA

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1978 Rubber bumper MGB, from worst to best!

December 24, 2025 by bugeyeguy

I’ll admit to being a bit of a chrome bumper, MGB snob. I started my life as a driver with a ’66 MGB roadster and I currently have my own 1967 GT. I love the classic chrome bumper and metal dashboard simplicity.

Along comes this one-owner purchased new in Scotland 1978 MGB (shown above) delivered by a client to be brought back to life after a long hibernation. The seats were shot (see below), the car barely ran, and the hydraulics were severely corroded. And now that the transformation is done, I am in love.

*Original seats, faded and quite mushy, with no support.*

*New seat covers, foams and suspension. Comfy!*

This car is a wonderful late 70s machine which we’ve given a new lease. The supercharger was a great replacement for the in-need-of-complete-overhaul HIF carbs. The new header and exhaust system sound great. The electric overdrive switch on the shift knob is superbly period (nothing else is quite like it) and right hand drive just makes everything more fun. The seats are also quite comfortable and supportive now that we have replaced the foams and support diaphragms (and covers). The rubber bumpers make the car seem less fragile, more useable. I feel quite lucky to have a chance to bring this car back to life in this way, it’s good now for a new generation!!! And I am now a rubber bumper MGB convert!

If you want to upgrade your MGB, give us a call and we can take it to the next level. Rubber or chrome, we’re ready! We’ll pick up your car anywhere in the USA and transform it! And if you want the performance upgrade kit shown above to do it yourself (supercharger, header and performance exhaust, and aluminum radiator (and/or seat refresh), give us a call and we’ll send you the kit we used to make this car sing!

Engine bay transformed

December 19, 2025 by bugeyeguy

How many upgrades can you see in the photos below (remember those back-of-the-cereal-box puzzles at the breakfast table before smart phones)?

We took Bugeye “Kitty” (pictured below) and transformed the engine bay (and just about everything else). New wiring harness, new brake and clutch lines, master cylinder, cooling system components, radiator, throttle shaft bushings and on and on.

*…and after! Kitty has been completely overhauled under her bonnet*. *(New K&N air filters will complete the look once the car is tuned)*

With this car, we started with a nice, honest foundation (at a good entry price). The new owner then hired us to make the car into artwork assembled with maximum reliability in mind.

This is what we do every week, and if you want us to build you a classic car you can count on, feel free to reach out and get in touch!