| 1959 Austin Healey Sprite MK I Bugeye-Frogeye In the process of being restored |
| This little Bugeye- Frogeye is what I would consider a great find. Spending 30 plus years stowed in a Connecticut barn, it was pulled out at the end of this past summer ( 2007). It is between 90-95% original. |
| It was purchased by a gentleman back in 1967 from a Connecticut dealer. He purchased it cheap as it was to be turned over to the junk yard . Used daily by him for commuting even in winter, I guess at that point in it's life, it wasn't a classic yet. Around 1977 he put it in his barn with the intention of someday doing a restoration on it. |
| Well as you can see, that never happened. This summer he realized that at this stage in his life, he was not going to be able to work on it. So he called a neighbor to ask him if he could pull it out of the barn with his tractor so the junk yard could come to pick it up. The neighbor suggested that instead of junking it, try selling it on Ebay. Figuring that it might sell for a couple of hundred dollars, he said why not. Needless to say, he was quite shocked at the price it brought. After almost being junked twice, the car is safe now and awaits restoration. |
| This is the first thing I saw when I went to look at it. My initial thought was "Oh my God". But looking it over more changed my mind |
| The cockpit as it looked after prying open the passenger door. All original interior including the rubber mats (although one is in sad shape). Luckily all the parts on the original seats did no damage. |
| I was the first one to lift the bonnet in 30 years. This revealed leaves, pine cones, pine needles and twigs from critters making this their home over the years. It was filled and stuffed tight as a drum. Sticking my head under to get a better look, I was greeted by a opossum still living in there where the battery was located. Sorry for the eviction. |
| Here's the barn area where it sat for 30 years. |
| Flat bedding her up for the trip back home |
| Tucked away after unloading from the flat bed. Ready to be restored |
| Original Color : Old English White Interior Color: Black Built Late Nov - Early Dec. 1959 |