Intro: For your consideration is this amazingly solid. originally from Utah. 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite. This vehicle is an absolute blast to drive! It has many significant drivability upgrades that make it not only able to keep up with modern traffic. but make it perform better and be more enjoyable to drive. Some of the main upgrades include a 1275cc engine. rib-case transmission. and front disc brakes. Since it spent most of its existence in Utah. the body on this Bugeye is amazingly dry. solid. and straight. The finish is very presentable and glossy. The wire wheels and original style luggage rack are nice touches that sets this Bugeye apart from others. This is a get-in-and-drive vehicle that is ready to be enjoyed as it is. Please view the video. photographs. and detailed description below to get a clear idea of this Bugeye’s condition. Video: An 8 minute long high definition video is provided to better show the condition of this ’59 Bugeye. The video footage was taken in April of 2015. To view the video please click play below or copy and paste the link. Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code https://youtu. be/OBx9y1aEN7o There are a few different sections to the clip: 1. ) The first exterior-walk around shows the straightness of the body. quality of reflections in the finish. and condition of the interior. 2. ) The driving clips show that this Bugeye runs and drives great and is an absolute blast to drive. The front view shows that the bonnet is very reflective. The exhaust sound intoxicating. 3. ) The second exterior-walk around has different lighting and also shows excellent reflections in the paint and the straightness of the body. Images: 170 high resolution images of this ’59 Bugeye are hosted via PhotoBucket. The photos were taken in April of 2105. All of the pictures can be seen by either clicking the slide show below. clicking any of the sample images below. or copying and pasting the web address: http://s1074. photobucket. com/user/OldSkoolFool83/library/1959%20Austin%20Healey%20Sprite Images include exterior condition. close ups. interior. engine bay. underbody. and etc. Please look through all of the images. To view an even higher resolution version of an image on Photo Bucket. click “Download” under “Media Options” on the right hand side of the screen. Exterior: Exterior wise as a whole. this Bugeye is lovely. It is in the condition of and is the type of machine that one can just stare at and admire. The finish. although not perfect. is very presentable. Some imperfections are present (there is one spot that could receive touch up) but do not distract from the overall presentation of the car. A person with a detailed eye can tell that great care was taken when doing the body work to prep for refinishing. When looking down the side of the car. it is very straight. smooth. and reflective. The paint lacks texture. One can tell it was professionally done. There are some minor spots on the finish that show some typical age and wear. The most significant is a scrape on the driver rear quarter which occurred from parking the Bugeye in its garage. Luckily. it is a scrape. and not a dent. Color matched touch up would go a long way in making that area look better. There are a few other minor and expected nicks. There are one or two limited in area spots where the finish has crazed a little. What these are. are shallow stretching and contracting marks in the finish but not actual cracks. This can be seen between the driver headlight and the fender but is contained to that area and not noticeable unless someone is looking for it and their face is 3ft away from it. The finish should not be classified as Concours but as stated. is extremely presentable and was professionally done. The finish looks as presentable as it does in the photos and video. The finish is rich. deep. and glossy. It is difficult to find a Bugeye that has not had significant rust repair. This example is amazingly solid and does not exhibit signs of rust repair. Please view the pictures of the underbody. It was originally from Utah and put in storage non-running at some point in the late 1960’s. A gentleman in the 1980’s purchased the Bugeye from the original owner. hung on to it for a while. had it professionally restored with completion in the early 2000’s. and then brought it to Wisconsin where it eventually made its way to Illinois with its current owner. The mileage of 39. 00 is thought to be accurate. The vehicle has of course not been driven through a Midwest winter and avoids rainy days as well. which makes sense why this Bugeye is so solid. The spring mounting points are beautifully solid (see the pictures). The floors. front frame. underside of the back. behind the wheels. door jambs. etc. is all very nice and impressive. The bonnet is steel and looks great underneath. The spare tire area also looks great. The bottoms of the doors and door jambs are straight and solid. Rust bubbles are not to be found. The seams mating the fenders to the center sections of the body are excellent. Only one ding is noticeable and could be removed with paintless dent repair. It is on the back passenger side of the bonnet and is pictured. The doors open and close nicely. The wire wheels are painted gray and are presentable. The emblems and brightwork throughout is presentable. The front bumper is not presently installed but is included with the car. It is in solid shape with some chrome peeling. Rear bumperettes are nice as is the luggage rack. Front turn signals are still the original glass ones. Rear tail lights are good. The top frame is present as is a newer top (side screens not present). The original convertible tops are known as pretty useless so most drivers will opt for the nicely functioning tonneau cover (included and in nice shape) when weather looks questionable. The foundation of this Bugeye is rock solid. The cosmetics in its current state are extremely presentable and if one wanted. with a few more details. it could look even better. Interior: There is not much for an interior on these cars! The interior on this example is presentable and was refurbished at the same time as finish. The seats look to be original and are comfortable. A black carpet kit was installed when the Bugeye was restored. The carpet is still in very nice condition (could use a vacuuming). Seat belts are present. Door panels on these cars are not actual panels. just vinyl that is attached with adhesive. The passenger side could be reattached. The dash is very nice. Gauges are good cosmetically. The steering wheel. shifter. grab handle. etc. are also presentable. The turn signal toggle switch. ignition. headlights. pull starter. etc. are present and functional. The interior is in nice condition and aids to the enjoyment of the car. Mechanical: The Bugeye is overall well sorted mechanically and ready to be driven. As with any British classic. there are sometimes minor quirks. There are no serious leaks. The driver side axel seal and bearing has been recently replaced as it had leaked before (please note. in the pictures there is an oil spot under the car right by the axel. that spot is not from this vehicle). The engine starts well and idles well. It is a rebuilt (when it was restored) 1275cc engine from a MG Midget. It has a Weber downdraft carburetor and header. If I remember correctly there are some minor internal upgrades (bored over slightly. cam. etc. ). The exhaust sounds absolutely wonderful! It has a Supertrap muffler on it that is very sporty sounding. The engine goes through the RPM range as it should and has plenty of strength for a little Bugeye. The temperature stays where it should. The tachometer is from a newer Midget and needs to yet be hooked up. Also. the fuel gauge is no-operational currently and we have not investigated as to why. The ribcase transmission from the newer MG Midget also is a nice upgrade. It shifts through the gears well. Aggressive rush shifting into first and third will result in some notchiness but when finessing it. it shifts very nicely. The clutch feels good and does not exhibit any slippage or issues. The differential sounds good. Fluid in the trans and diff have been replaced in the past couple of years. The headlights and turn signals work. The brake lights as of right now are not (we have not looked into why yet. most likely the brake sensor switch needs replacement). The tires are matching Potenzas with plenty of tread left. As stated. the front brakes were upgraded to discs. The car stops very well. The suspension actually feels fairly tight and connected for such an old vehicle. It holds the road well and is an absolute blast to drive. The springs and dampening are tight but not punishing. I have driven this car for multiple hours at a time. have had it on the freeway. and have of course enjoyed it on the backroads. Conclusion: This is a very special vehicle. While very basic and with less power than many other sports cars. this Bugeye is such a joy to drive. It is some of the most fun you can have in a classic sports car. It sounds great. looks great. and drives great. This example as it sits is very presentable. ready to be enjoyed. and due to being so solid. will hold its value while you enjoy it for years to come. Serious buyers are welcome to contact me with any questions or set up a viewing. Preferred calls are between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM central time. Clean title in owner’s name. The owner is a collector that is downsizing his collection. He is also selling: 1968 Land Rover. 1973 Jensen-Healey. 1974 Jensen-Healey. 1983 Fiat Spider. all of which I have pictures and video of. 262-391-1069 This vehicle is located in Chicago. IL 60613. Motor-Vated. com (MotorVated LLC) is assisting the owner in the listing of this vehicle and owns the copyright of this description. images. and video. This is a serious auction so please treat it as such. This is a true Ebay ad. The car will be sold through Ebay. and only Ebay. with proper procedures and reduced risk for both buyer and seller. If you put in an offer. I may ask to speak with you via phone to confirm it is a serious offer. Putting in an offer or accepting an offer is committing to a contract to purchase this vehicle and the following terms. Buyers with "0" feedback will not be allowed to bid prior to speaking with me via phone. I have attempted to describe this vehicle very fairly but it is the buyer’s responsibility to determine their opinion of the vehicle’s condition prior to submitting an offer. It is recommended possible buyers inspect the vehicle in person prior to bidding but extensive details and pictures have been provided as I understand in person inspection is not always possible. If a professional pre-purchase inspection is wanted. it must be completed prior to committing to buying through putting in an offer. Winning bidder must deposit a non-refundable $1000 down payment within 48 hours of auction close via Paypal. Remaining funds must be received no later than two weeks from auction end. Negative feedback will be given to non-paying buyers and a case via Ebay will be opened. Vehicle must be picked up from Chicago. IL no later than two weeks from auction end. $15 per day fee for extended storage. Vehicle will not leave nor title signed off until all funds have been received/verified. Wire transfer. bank check. or cashier’s check accepted. Once auction is over. the vehicle will be kept in appropriate general care by the owner. Buyer is responsible for insurance once auction has ended. No warranty is expressed or implied. Vehicle is sold as is. Transportation of the vehicle is the buyer's responsibility. If special circumstances are needed for anything. including time. please contact us. Thank you for reading through and surviving this lengthy ad!