1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite 95% original

Description for Austin Healey Sprite 1959

Great driver quality Bugeye. This classic Austin Healey with new white wall tires and stock wheels with classic AH moon hub caps looks like it came right out of the late 1950's. The car in general is very close to being 100% original from the steering wheel to brakes, auges, ransmission etc. A few things have been changed. The seats which are Bugeye seats but the patternthat was used when upholstered was not the AH Bugeye pattern, ut most importantly in my opinion are the seat pans that are rust free and in great shape. The other change, hich is not as obvious, s the motor which is slightly larger and slightly more powerful than the stock 948cc motor. It is the 1098cc motor from an Austin Healey Mrk II. The stock 948cc motor is rated at 43hp and the 1098cc motor is rated at 56hp. This increase is noticeable since the car is relatively light weight. The appearance of bothmotors is nearly identical. The 1098cc motor also came with larger 1 1/4 inch twin SU carbs vs the 1 1/8 inch SU carbs on the 948 motor.
I probably do not need to go too much into the history and numbers produced of these cute little English cars since many people have posted this information all ready. But they are getting harder to find and of the roughly 49,500 produced many were raced and wrecked, ome were modified with Mazda, oyota and Datsun motors and others were left sitting out in the weather since the 1970's and have rust in every nook and cranny and of course there are those that have had complete restorations and have sold for $25,000 - $30,000. This cute little Bugeye has not been raced and has not had the total restoration, or has it been left in a field rusting away. It is what you see a very classic looking Austin Healey needing a new home.
I am advertising it locally and reserve the right to end the auction early if I sell it outside of EBay.
The good:The car looks very presentable and is nearly 100% originalIt has two gas filters and new gas pumpThe brakes and master cylinder have been replaced recentlyThe engine has great oil pressure 80psi when cold and 55psi when hotCompression on all four cylinders is 170lbsNew white wall tires and good original bugeye wheels and hub capsNew generator with tach driveUsed convertible top (it fits tight and plastic is clear etc but has a small tear in front)Clutch has no chatter and works fineAluminum surround and windshield posts are polished and shine up greatComes with original windows, ront bumper,rear bumperettes and spare tireDoors line up great and close and lock easilyWindshield has no cracks
Not so good: Speedo is not working, as gauge, ach and oil/water temp work properlyTransmission has 1st gear noise but synchros work fine and shifts fine through the gearsEngine smokes some (what I feel happened was the motor was rebuilt but not bored out or an oil ring is sticking and has not seated)The floor pans have a small amount of rust, ome has been repaired but not all of itPaint is faded in spotsSeats are original AH bugeye and have no rust but the pattern is not original Bugeye