Meet “Stretch,” the world’s longest Bugeye Sprite.
We built this car in about 2013 for a former teenager with a few new (human) body parts installed and less dexterity than when he was actually 16, so our job was to lengthen the car so that access and egress would be easier for him… and that’s exactly what we did. We cut the car in half in front of the E brake mount and added 5″ to the floor pans, doors, rockers, tunnel, side curtains and top all to make the world first long wheelbase Bugeye Sprite.
“Stretch” handles a bit more like an MGB, although it’s still super tight. It’s been a wonderful car that the previous owner put not a lot of miles on in the short time he owned it. When given the opportunity, we purchased it back because this is a popular need for our aging demographic that is often doing a little less yoga than recommended.
The first guy who saw the car purchased it (congratulations, Jock!) because of ease of entry. So we prepared this post for you but the car is now sold. Still, I loved seeing this machine, and driving it, and I thought you would enjoy a chance to revisit how this was created.
One of my favorite aspects of this car is opening the door because while it’s only 5″ longer, it seems absolutely gigantic to me since we’ve had so many Sprites in our building and the door size is somehow mapped in my brain. These long doors though are kind of sweet because they allow easier access once you sit down to throw in your legs. You’re also afforded a little bit more length like an Italian car where your arms can out stretch a little bit more. We’ve got a 14″ steering wheel installed on this car to allow a little bit better access for large people. The project was really a dramatic success in that we proved that this little Sprite can support a little more length and accommodate bigger bodies. The car looks completely stock and that’s part of the fun – it’s painted in the correct Olde English White with the correct red interior.
Most people will be easily fooled into thinking that this is a totally stock car but if you’re a large person, your huge smile each time you get in or out might be a giveaway that something is particularly special about this car!
Sorry this one is sold, but let us know if you want us to build another for you!
