Saleofcar.com :Austin

Austin Healey Sprite Bugeye (1960)
for sale

Price: US $7,000.00

Description:

This car is being relisted because the bidder that won about a week ago didn't want to abide by the payment terms. If you have any questions, please email me. I will try and get to them as fast as I can.
The life story of me (born in 1960) and bugeys...I was about 5 years old when my dad started to rebuild Bugeyes. As a kid I dreamed of having my own, I saved my money & bought my first car, a Karmann Giana. I restored it and sold it so that I could get this car. That was in 1978 (37 yrs ago). I worked all summer restoring it. This was my main car till 1991. In 1999 I had a master mechanic rebuild an Austin Healey Mark IIII 1275cc Engine to put in it. In 2001, I did a partial rebuild on the car and then stored it in the garage with a cover. The reason for getting rid of it is to simplify the things around me. I'm trying to get my business going and I need the room in my garage. I thought of putting it in storage but that wouldn't be fair...it needs to be loved and driven...take a look at the videos. I would love to see someone get the same enjoyment that I have for all these years. Again, We would like to restate that this is a driver and not a fully restored car. I just want anyone that wants to buy it, to love it as much as i do.

The car's details…
Year:
MO registered as 1960
Title:
MO, clean

Mileage:
(actual miles unknown)
Odometer stop running years ago
Color:
Red with Gray Racing Stripe
Engine:
1275 cc, In 1999, I bought an Austin Healey Mark IIII, 1275 high compression engine. I had my good friend, a master mechanic, rebuild it from the ground up with a mild cam, hardened lifter & seats, Weber down draft carburetor, and Mallory dual points racing distributor. I kept the original 948 cc engine that came with it. This engine and all the parts goes with the car!

Chassis #:
VIN AN5L/39235
Paint:
In 2001, my wife and I did a partial restoration. We put in more steel for re-enforcement and body putty by the finder wells and various places. Some blemishes here and there, but the car presents well. See the photos. All the blemishes are fixable without need to repaint from what I have been told. I have a small can for touch ups that matches the paint perfectly.
Rust:
MO car so there are some small places that have rust but it has been stored in the garage and we only drove it 1-2 times a year in the summer.
Oil:
Like most British cars (and Harleys), this car drips some oil after heating up smokes some.
Electrical:
12V, Positive ground
Tranny:
Tranny shifts well for an old British tranny. First gear is non-syncro and growls a bit. Third gear has a tight gate. Replaced the tranny when I put the 1275 engine in. Due to the inconvenience of replacing a clutch, I fabricated panels in various places to allow replacement of the clutch w/out pulling the engine.
Starting:
Car starts right up with choke when cold. Once warm, no choke necessary to restart.
Tires & rims
Spoke Wheels with knock-offsTube Sport Tires
Under the bonnet
Austin Healey Mark IIII High Compression Engine. Mild CamHardened Lifter & SeatsWeber Down Draft CarburetorMallory Dual Points Racing Distributor
Cabin
New Carpet1990's cassette Radio “hidden” under dash mount + antenna (see pictures) (currently doesn't work) Has a Motorola AM radio (dash mounted) that was still working when I installed the sterio.Driver's Side Seat adjuster - works better than the original
Miscellaneous
Installed a Class II Hitch with re-enforced steel (which we have pulled our jet ski with...it's no problem with the 1275 engine)Tonneau coverOriginal Car ManualMG Midget / Austin Healey Sprite Haynes Repair Manual
Miscellaneous notes
Owned it since 1978, Garaged since 2001 taking it out just a couple times a year.Driver door close well and easily but the passenger door pops open so I have it latched shut.The parking brake is still hooked up but sticks when engaged.The speedometer works but isn't very accurate, and the tachometer doesn't work because it's not hooked up. Voltmeter, oil pressure & temp gauges do work.Wipers workLights workThe car has all the features needed to mount side curtains and soft top. We had them but they were mangled and run over by a trucker on the highway when pulling our jet ski...still have them for spare parts.A box of extras comes with the car (see photo).New TiresReplaced side pockets with vinyl elastic for more room (see pictures)When I did a partial restore in 2001, I didn't have a chance to replace the rubber around the windshield so I used silicone to help. Also, I put more steel in and there is some body putty by the finder wells and various places.It also has a 12 spring racing clutch.
Extra Original Engine: 948cc
I have the tranny that goes with this engineAll the parts that I took off to upgade.
Extra Parts:
2 Extra complete tire and spoke wheelsAnother spoke wheel (w/o tire)AxlesAir Filter (new)AlternatorMuch, Much more...we looked up some of the parts with the engine and they total about $1500 - $2000
YouTube Videos (
copy the address and paste onto the YouTube website)
:
Qqi0pquP57Q0beiDPxxP2EbC9L2n0QNZcQwlEC9rX7BYoSp69uIfzzMQ_ba_oHH7qUThis car is not perfect, it is a driver. But it will open your eyes...you will drive by your destination just to continue driving...I know because I've done that many times.
Please let me know if further information is desired. I can also email more pictures if you want. Serious buyers please, e-mail via eBay for my cell phone number to discuss details
.

The fine print…
I will demo the car if a test drive is desired.
The RESERVE on this car has been set at a reasonable level. I can't give it away.
This car is being sold “As Is” with no warranties. I have done my best to describe the car in detail. But please understand that this is a vintage car and condition evaluations are subjective and may contain discrepancies depending on the viewer/evaluator. I encourage in an person inspection or a third party inspection prior to bidding. All sales are final. It is up to the buyer to do due diligence when making a purchase online. Do not make any assumptions about anything. Ask any questions that may not have been addressed. I am not responsible for any errors or erroneous misinformation. If you would like to speak with me directly, please provide a contact number and I will get back to you.
A non-refundable $500.00 USD PayPal deposit is due within 2 business days after the close of this auction.
If you don't have PayPal, we can likely work something out. But, please e-mail me before bidding if you do not have PayPal.
The balance is due within 3-5 business days.
I do not accept personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders. Sorry no Paypal except for deposit due to scamming potential at this dollar value.
Cash, wire transfer or direct bank-to-bank transfer are acceptable.
The car will not be released to the new owner until funds have cleared my bank or my hand. The buyer is responsible for all taxes and fees incurred from the transaction.
If you have feedback of less than 10, please email me before bidding so we can discuss your specifics.
I am a private seller who is getting rid of items that I own. I have great feedback rating and pride myself in providing the buyer with absolute honesty and honor, even if I take it in the wallet sometimes to correct an issue for the buyer. I expect the same from my buyers.
The car must be picked up within 10 days of the auction end date. A reasonable $25.00 per day storage fee will be charged after the 10 days unless prior arrangements have been made. The buyer is responsible for transporting and ideally picking up. I can assist in picking the car up by your preferred, professional auto transporter, but I do not assume any responsibility once the car is off my property (driveway/garage).
For information, please e-mail me. I will send you my personal cell phone number. The car can be presented for inspection anywhere within 10-15 miles of 64086 zip code. Here are some questions that we posed the last time it was listed:
Q - Any rust on the car now or ever?
A - Yes...it spent many years on Missouri roads, winter and summer. It was garaged after we did a partial restoration.
Q - Please describe in more detail where and why you added steel and used body putty
A - Where (Steel) - A variety of areas on the floor boards, bought and installed new kick panels, and various other places below an 8 line from bottom of car and also in the rear to mount the hitch.
Where (Putty) - various small places ie bottom corners of the bonnet and door post, bottom of the front/rear fender.

_{update: 2015-06-06}