Austin Healy Sprite

Carpe Diem · 09-12-2009, 01:55 PM

I have always been kind of partial to the Austin Healy Sprite. I always thought it was at quintesential (sp?) no-frills roadster. It was the first new car I ever really wanted to own (well, that, and the '56 Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing). Never got one of either.

This morning at Cars and Coffee there was a nice red bug-eye Sprite parked across the way from me. I couldn't help but think what a sweet ride that would be with a tuned and tricked-out GXP Ecotec hiding under the bonnet. 300+ WHP in a 1460 lb. Sprite would be quite a sleeper and a fun set of wheels. Ummmm!

Oh well, one can dream.

carlintexas · 09-12-2009, 10:34 PM

Bought a new one in '68. Had it one week and I was sitting at a red light - the light turns green & the guy behind me in a big a$$ Plymouth drove right over the rear of my car. Said he forgot I was there!

Mojo Risin · 09-12-2009, 10:37 PM

I had a 1960 Bug Eye back in the late 60's. Mine was definitly no thrills. It had no first or reverse,but was so light and small you could turn almost anywhere or just push it! It also had no top and if i remember correctly they didn't have side glass just the plastic/ canvas ones..( If you were so lucky to have a top !!) I'm also thinking there was a cable inside the door to open the doors. mine wasn't much to look at but i had a ball driving that little Bugeye. I wound up selling it for $50 (took a loss of $25 LOL). Thanks for the memory !

Yamatr3 · 09-13-2009, 07:30 AM

Love the bug eye. Years back, I almost bought one that had a rotary engine conversion. The guy wanted too much money and would not come off his price. This is one of my all time fav cars.

Jackknife · 09-13-2009, 07:45 AM

My college roommate raced one in SCCA. He also used it as a daily driver.

Every six or so races we would remove the engine in the school parking lot,

carry it to the elevators, bring it up to the sixth floor and rebuild it in our

dorm room. We were invincible!

What fun!

SolNut · 09-13-2009, 08:20 AM

The BugEye I owned for 37+ years is still in the family, my brother is still driving it in North Carolina.

Steve

56XK140 · 09-13-2009, 06:06 PM

Lots of Bugs Crawing around Watkins Glen Sept 11 2009 Grand Prix Festval
Fun tiny car