Here’s our latest build, our third “Super Sprite,” (our ultimate Bugeyes), custom built to the owner’s specifications. This one has a stock 1275 engine with a four speed transmission. Most upgraded is the appearance and attutude, with head fairing, hard tonneau, brooklands screen, performance exhaust and custom color scheme. We also converted the hubs to run new wire wheels. The car will head home to Alabama this weekend.
Everything is new and driving the car is a delight. The small screen shields your head more than one might think… I put about 30 miles on the car in 80 degree weather and found it quite pleasant. The only downside of the small screen is that the wind wanted to steal my Bugeyeguy baseball hat.
What is a Super Sprite? Every Sprite is “super,” but after the 230+ we’ve sent out the door, the three that stand out the most are our custom builds with special graphics and features that have them turn heads just a little more than usual. Each time we fit and stripe a hard tonneau on a Bugeye it activates my D-Jag passion. There is something so appealing about the flat-topped “aerodynamic” racing sports cars of the 50s and 60s and a hard tonneau evokes that spirit.
The head fairing also feels like it belongs and reinforces the message–all the business happens on the driver side. Everything else is built for speed, and whether 45 or 65 or 100 HP, it’s just plain fun to have a Bugeye that looks like a miniature period racer.
#001 Morgan (silver) was supercharged with a fuel injection. #002 Gumby (green) features four-port injection with a cross-flow aluminum head. This white car (#003) is only mildly upgraded as far as performance is concerned. They’re all probably slower than mom’s new mini van. But if you want to burn a smile into your face that will last for your entire trip inside the grocery store, we’d like to build #004 for you.
Also worth noting is “bees knees” (AKA “Goldie”) another super car we built for Ron from Rhode Island (below). This is another impressive custom Sprite that delivers a similar look with different components. Ron chose a single hoop roll bar with integrated pillow and many of his own Super Sprite modifications. This car retains the original 948 engine with a fantastic exhaust note that makes the car feel like a giant-killer.
If you like these modified cars, you can see Gumby and Goldie at the Lime Rock Concours on Sunday September 2nd. Come say hello!
