1959 Bugeye (Frogeye) Sprite excellent mechanicals, needs cosmetics

1959 Austin Healey Sprite

I bought this Mk I Sprite a few years ago from an Austin Healey specialist in Iowa who got it from a collection in Oklahoma. The body and shell are rough but very solid, there's a small hole in the passenger side floor and under the battery but otherwise all there and all steel. I have invested a lot of money and time (fun) in refreshing and upgrading it mechanically so that it now runs well, drives great, starts easily in the cold:
1.Brakes: front discs, master cylinder rebuilt for discs, rear drum brake cylinders changed to the appropriate size, new brake lines
2.Clutch: new clutch pressure plate and disc, slave cylinder plumbed into engine compartment for easy bleeding
3.Transmission: upgraded to four speed ribcase, original smooth case comes with the car (needs rebuilding, hard to get from third to fouth and back)
4.Differential changed from 4.2 to 3.9, comes with original 4.2 differential which was functioning fine. Rear end rebuilt and sealed. Rear springs rebuilt.
5.Engine: original 948cc, with upgraded intake manifold, exhaust (larger bore, mufffler from Bugeyeguy), carbs upgraded to HS2s and tuned by Highland Automotive. I will also include a 1275 block and head and crankshaft recently rebuilt by Aldo of Highland Machine as well as a pair of extra HS2s and the original H1s.
6.Generator replaced by Moss Alternator, two generators come with the car
7.Radiator seams resoldered, cleaned and painted
8.Tachometer converted to electric in a "hack" sort of way, it moves but is shaky and isn't very accurate. The face is correct for a Bugeye.
9. Heater cleaned up and painted but not connected, missing the large hose from the front of the engine bay
10. Windshield wipers, turn signals, lights (Halogen headlights) all work. Horn works intermittently.
11. Registered and inspected in New York, there is no title for a car this old in New York State. True mileage unknown. It came to me with an incorrect speedometer/odometer and I changed it to one that is correct and working. All gauges work, doesn't overheat or leak fluids. I keep checking levels and they don't go down!
I have the original (reconditioned) top bows but no top. There is an appropriate blue tonneau cover.
The car was originally Iris Blue, the seats are the original dark blue. The car was apparently spray painted read at some point but you can see the original paint underneath and in a few other spots where the spray paint wore off. The blue spots on the rear end are where I sanded the old paint off to the metal and then sprayed to prevent rust.
Bottom line, a rough presenting but very solid Bugeye with mechanicals that can be driven right now without an issue. It's a bit slow off the line but once it's rolling it's a lot of fun. Tight steering and handling and a great sounding exhaust note. Real vintage British motoring. With a bit of body work and paint this would be a first rate classic. Many extra parts come with it to allow further enhancement for more power. Thanks for checking it out!

• Make: Austin Healey
• Model: Sprite
• Type: Convertible
• Year: 1959
• Mileage: 0
• VIN: An5L14160
• Color: Red
• Engine size: 948
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Blue
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!