Now SOLD to Steven in Ohio! Bugeye #437! Congratulations!

AN5L 30280 is a 1960 Bugeye that has been idle for quite some time. The car enjoyed dry indoor storage in New Mexico and California and it shows… there is minimal rust on this car. It’s quite solid, and now we’re excited to offer an excellent survivor project. She shows about 89K miles, and while I can’t be certain, it seems like this is accurate mileage for the car. She comes with the original 948 engine and smoothcase transmission, as well as original drum brakes on all four corners.

The car comes with the tow bar shown. We’ve had many Bugeyes over the years with similar home-made tow kits, easy to envision dragged behind the family station wagon or Winnebago on vacation. Once restored, the car will drive fine with the tow bar tied in the upright position and shown that way for fun, or unbolt it from the bumper and leave the bar in your camper. Or if you prefer, remove the bumper and the entire assembly to your taste. I love these tow bars because they remind us of another era, so I would leave it even though I wouldn’t use it to tow the car (although it could help speed-up any rescues!).

We call this one “Sandy.” The car lived in Albuquerque for most of its life, with the owner employed at Sandia Laboratories (which is located there). The New Mexico license plate was issued in 1972. The car got new tires in about 2004, I believe to facilitate moving the car from NM to CA, and then was stored again for the last 25 years in California, where we found it. It hasn’t run in a very long time, and I would plan on rebuilding or replacing both the engine and transmission, along with all rubber, hydraulic and braking components.

Once those are restored, however, what you’d have is a rare sympathetically restored Bugeye that is solid enough to use and enjoy with unrestored cosmetics. It still looks good and shows plenty of personality so I’d be inclined to clean the car thoroughly and focus on restoring the mechanicals to turn it into a great driver. The underside is excellent as these cars go… surface rusted but solid. Some restoration of the passenger side bonnet hinge will be needed for easier engine bay access. The car shows no crash damage other than a few small dings and dents as shown in the below video.

The car comes with the original jack and a small tool kit, as well as sliding side curtains for restoration. The top fits well but the rear window is quite yellowed. There is also a tonneau included, but I would plan on replacing it. Also, we did not get any keys for this car, so a new ignition switch with new keys will be required (we have them in stock).

We can help with the restoration to your taste! We have the parts in stock, and, we can help with any portion of the job you’d like done in our shop before we deliver the car to your door. (For example, we have rebuilt and used 948 and 1275 engines for sale. )Or jump in your Roadmaster, come visit, load the wagon and the car with the necessary parts from our inventory and tow it home!

Click “read more” below to see the full photo album!

[Read more…] about 1960 Barn find Bugeye for sale, original engine!

Now SOLD to Jim in Georgia! Congratulations on Bugeye #436!

NEW PRICE $23,995

This is a sweet 1960 Frogeye Sprite we call “Cloud” (AN5L 44831).

We are excited to have “Cloud” back in our building! This is a great 948-powered Bugeye we sold to John in Ohio last spring. John had us do over $6,000 in work to Cloud before we sent the car his way, so in addition to being a beautiful Bugeye driver, the mechanicals have already been sorted by our team and the car is tight and rattle-free. Check out the driving video below!

We completed an impressive list of upgrades on this car for the prior owner, including new Vredestein 165 tires, a front disc brake conversion, locking choke, new brake and clutch hydraulics, upgraded HS2 carburetors, new distributor with electronic ignition, aluminum radiator, rebuilt 3.9 differential (for better highway cruising) and more! Very few miles have been added since Cloud left our shop a year ago, so all of these upgrades are still essentially brand new!

Cloud is a solid car that was built in 1960 near the end of Bugeye production (the car was first titled in 1961). This is a great driver for anyone wanting a mostly stock car with some select upgrades. For example, Cloud was fit with new Minilight alloy wheels and front sway bar during a complete restoration about ten years ago. The car presents nicely and is quite clean with nice paint and nice body lines and gaps. A luggage rack is also fit, which is handy for weekend getaways.

The car was well-loved by one family for many years in Arkansas before heading to Ohio in 2024, where she was adopted by John, who had us do over $6,000 in work to Cloud before receiving it as mentioned above.

Lots of receipts come with the car; those records detail a long history of care and maintenance. The prior owner spent generously to keep the car in nice shape.

Prior to John’s purchase, we put in a complete new carpet kit, including a new trunk and carpet kit. The body is quite solid and the floors were replaced during the restoration with correct reproduction floor panels so the underside has all new sheet metal.

Paint is also good. The engine bay is very clean and shows a new wiring harness that was installed during the restoration- it still looks new.

The inner fender was signed by Bugeye designer Gerry Coker in 2013. Gerry would sometimes attend club events and sadly, passed away in 2020. His special signature on the inner fender is protected for eternity with clear vinyl film.

We’ve cleaned up a few issues, for example, we put in a new fuel line from end to end and properly secured the fuel line under the car. We also rubber mounted the upgraded solid state electric fuel pump.

Cloud comes with a top, side curtains, and tonneau. The side curtains are in good shape and fit well. The tonneau is older but still fits fine.

Some clients might want to have us recover the dashboard… it shows a few irregularities… we have restored many of these and would happy to redo this one if the new owner desires. Also, the oil pressure gauge is a bit sluggish and we’d be happy to put in a new one. Call if you are interested… we are delighted to build out the car to meet the needs of the next owner!

This is a great car that is a lot of fun to drive! Click “read more” below for the full compliment of pictures and give us a call if you are looking for a great-driving classic Bugeye!

[Read more…] about Great 1960 Bugeye Sprite driver for sale! NEW driving video!

NOW SOLD to Jeff in Indianapolis! Congrats on taking home Bugeye #440!

“Bunny”, AN5L 26645, enjoyed a great restoration about 15 years ago by a passionate owner who ultimately owned the car for 50 years! 1275 engine, front disks and great upgrades throughout.

The car has the right upgrades including a premium aluminum radiator, thermostatically controlled oil cooler, extra large front driving lights, upgraded headlights, and a performance exhaust. The restorer was skilled and the work is great. Lots of love went into this car… now you can enjoy the fruit of this tireless labor of love.

This week, we added a new windshield and all new rubber on the windshield frame. Everything looks stunning. Lights are optional and we can remove them if you prefer. Call to discuss! A good one!!!

Enjoy a hot summer in a hot red Bugeye!

Click “read more” for more pictures and give us a call if you’d like Bunny to “hop” right into your collection!

[Read more…] about 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye for sale, best paint! One owner 50 years!

Now sold to Bill in Florida! Congrats on taking home this awesome car! #435!

This is AN5L 35180, a Bugeye we call Solo. This one was here in 2022 for about $20,000 in upgrades, including rear disc brakes, new Michelin XAS tires, a new wiring harness, and tons of sorting. Now, this car drives great, as this driving video can attest!

Only a few hundred miles have been put on the car since it left here in 2022, when she went to the home of a premier collector who used it little given the size of his collection. So this is a chance to enjoy a slick Bugeye with a massive investment already made.

[Read more…] about 1960 Bugeye Sprite for sale, 5-Speed 1275 rear disk brakes! Great fun… fast and sharp!

NOW SOLD to Don in Indiana!!! Excellent choice Don! Congratulations on Bugeye #438!

First Eric from our shop to Oakland, CA and then Bill/George to Milwaukee… who’s next? This is a nice car with all the upgrades you’d need for a nice summer adventure! Check out Meyer! New tires added this week too!

This is a great 1959 Bugeye with all the right modifications, a great stance and a great look. We call this one “Meyer.”

A lot of money has been invested by prior owners to make Meyer special. The new owner gets a bundle of improvements at a depreciated price… it’s hard to find a nice Bugeye that has been done right with all the best upgrades! This one fits the bill!

AN5L 17299 was first purchased new in 1959 and held by the same owner until 2005, when it was purchased in Virginia and subsequently restored. This second owner invested thousands to build what you see here today, and subsequent owners have further shaped Meyer into an amazing Bugeye!

Under the stewardship of the second owner, the body was restored, the rebuilt 1275 engine installed and front disk brakes added. In 2013, and after about 5000 miles, the car was then sold to the third owner, who brought it to us in December of that year for a new fuel tank, new shocks, and some tuning. That owner added about 300 miles during his period of ownership before we helped to get it to its most recent owner (in Maine) in December of 2020.

[Read more…] about 1959 Bugeye Sprite for sale with excellent reliabilty upgrades! Cruises all day at 75MPH (video)