1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite

This 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite has been with the current owner for the last 40 years. It was put through a refurbishment process completed in 2016 that involved the car being repainted, the 948cc inline-4 engine and 4-speed manual transmission being overhauled, and the interior being reupholstered. Features include electronic ignition, dual SU carburetors, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and polished 13-inch wheels with Kumho tires. Refinished in Honda Cool Turquoise over a newer black leather interior, this "bugeye" Sprite is available now and comes with a black tonneau cover, removable side curtains with storage bags, manufacturer’s literature, service and refurbishment records, and a clean Iowa title in the seller's name.  The car is being re-listed due to the previous buyer backing out through no fault of the seller or the car. 

Introduced as a budget-friendly model for the 1958 model year, the Sprite, colloquially known as the "bugeye," was initially designed to have retractable headlights but was eventually given fixed units to reduce costs. As part of a series of cosmetic and mechanical updates finished in 2016, the body of this 1959 model was refinished in a Honda color known as Cool Turquoise. Features include a chrome mesh grille, dual side mirrors, chrome rear bumperettes, and a driver-side exhaust outlet as well as a black tonneau cover and removable side curtains. The seller notes there are chips in the paint, which can be seen in the photo gallery to the right.

The car rolls on a set of silver 13-inch Minilite-style wheels with Austin-Healey center caps and Kumho Solus tires.

During the cosmetic overhaul, the interior was fitted with black leather replacement bucket seats, a black dashboard, and black vinyl door panel inserts. It comes equipped with black carpeting, a wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel, a wood shift knob, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, and a passenger-side grab handle.

The Smiths instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer, 6K-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, and water temperature. The 5-digit mechanical odometer shows 71,743 miles.

Under the front-hinged hood is a refurbished 948cc inline-4 engine equipped with a green valve cover, twin SU carburetors, and electronic ignition. According to the seller, the spark plugs were replaced in October of 2021. Power is sent to the road through an overhauled 4-speed manual gearbox. The underside of the car features a rear drive axle refinished in black.

A black tonneau cover, removable side curtains with storage bags, manufacturer’s literature, and service and refurbishment records are included with the sale of the vehicle.