“Holmes” is available once again! Unfortunately, plans sometimes change, and its previous buyer decided to go a different route, so we are pleased to offer Holmes for sale again! You won’t find many more Bugeyes, especially “home-market” RHD ones, at this price point! Check out the listing below and give us a call if you’re interested!
For sale at $15,595
If I could only have one British Sports car, this one would be at the top of my list. It’s inexpensive, fun to drive, nice (but not too nice) and will be the only one at just about every car show it attends (only RHD Bugeye, that is).
This is “Holmes,” AN5 48822, a home market bugeye purchased from an air force veteran in England and imported years ago, perhaps in 1985 by a prior owner who had the car from 1985 through 2011 in Minnesota. In 2011, the car went to Alabama, where it rested until 2019 when we brought it here. Car #49201 was the last Bugeye, BTW.
In 2019, we sold it to Jim in New Hampshire, and now we have purchased the car back once again. It drives great, just ask Bodhi below:
The Notice the lack of an “L” in the vin number, which designates a home market original RHD car.
In 2019, we refreshed the mechanicals to put this great car back on the road. We rebuilt all the hydraulics-new slave, master and rear wheel cylinders- and also the original carburetors-the correct H1 carbs are working great and the engine runs strong. The car recently got a new aluminum radiator for improved cooling. By the way, this appears to be a factory gold seal rebuilt 948 engine, a nice novelty.
Front disc brakes are present, a nice upgrade, as are new tires from 2011, with less than 1,200 miles on them. 13,048 miles are showing on the odometer. The back of the cockpit has been enlarged slightly, a modification we have seen on several cars through the years. While non-stock, it seems popular since some folks seem to like the larger cockpit and better access to a parcel shelf. This rear deck modification accomplishes that goal.
The wood interior kit is also an unusual modification. We’ve heard more than once that this sort of wood trim kit was a factory option, but this was never the case. An industrious woodworker took on this cockpit and there is something quite charming about it from my perspective, as it speaks to the way these cars were inexpensive and accessible. People have been modifying their Sprites for eons, why should this one be any different?
Underneath the wood trim you can clearly see the original RHD Bugeye foundation, which is a lot of fun. For example, of the perhaps 700 master cylinders we have changed over the years, RHD masters are shrouded by the heater blower, which, while easy to remove, changes the nature of this particular job, and reminds us where these cars were built (should we ever forget).
This car runs and drives great. RHD turns up the smile factor that much more, and I appreciate a chance to be ambidextrous with my gear shifting. I think you will too. Check out the driving video below to see that in action!
The underside is solid on this car. The passenger side rocker panel is a bit rumpled. The story that came with the car is that the rocker was replaced by a prior owner and damaged in shipping but still installed anyway because the eventual repaint prep would smooth it out anyway. I can find no crash damage.
A two-piece top bow is included and this fits snugly in the boot. There is no top present for this car, but there is a set of side curtains and a white bikini top, which was installed during its last visit to us in 2019 and still fits well. We also fitted a new white tonneau in 2019, which still fits very well.
I would not repaint this car. It looks just fine as is. If you want a fresh paint job, we have other Bugeyes that provide a higher level of finish, albeit for a higher price.
I hope you will give this car a serious look and if you want to talk about making “Holmes” your own, we look forward to the opportunity to ship it to your door! Click “read more” for more photos and give us a call!
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