Now SOLD to Eric in New Jersey! Our 349th Bugeye sold!
This is a rough car that would have been scrapped years ago (and some would argue, it should have been). She’s for parts or restoration, but the market is changing, and since it is a hard to find a mostly complete 1958 Bugeye with its rare ’58 only features, one could argue that restoration of this one makes some sense, even though it will be a huge job and the car is quite perforated. After 15 years of full time Bugeye work, we have only seen a handful of 1958 cars, so it would be a shame to see this one get parted-out! If nothing else, this car reminds us of the unique ’58 only features, some of which we have called out in the text below.
AN5L 2641 will require a complete restoration, or you can use it for parts. She was left outside for far too long and as a result will need everything replaced. The Engine is original to the car. It is not turning, and you can expect it to need a complete rebuild. The car has been sitting for a very long time, long enough for the exhaust pipe to rust through underneath, so every inch of this car will need attention. We’re looking for a bold restorer who wants to get another 1958 Bugeye back on the road!
AN5L 2641 is a very early-production Bugeye, within the first 2500 or so built (started at 501). As such, there are quite a few different idiosyncrasies that this car exhibits that you won’t find on many other Bugeyes. For example, note the rear wheel arch gussets above that are welded and not bolted (as they were on car 505, for example). This was an early means of supporting the rear wheel arches before the larger fillet was added in the boot on the later cars.
Additionally, the earliest Bugeyes came without the trapezoidal-shaped bonnet buffers on top of the inner fenders that are present on most later cars; even the early cars that weren’t so equipped were often retrofitted later, so it’s a real treat to see this example without them! Also, if you look at the pictures of the grille opening, you will notice that there is significantly less tinwork present. This is because early Bugeyes were not equipped with all the ductwork that later ones had that directed airflow towards the radiator. This was added to later cars to help combat a perceived overheating problem.
The thin windshield has been replaced along the way with a later two stud windshield frame, but the top bow that came with the car is the correct early top bow for the early windshields that have 9 lift-the-dot fittings along the frame for early-style tops. The earliest top bows didn’t have the spring-loaded uprights that most Bugeye top bows are fitted with; they were one solid piece. This is another interesting feature that the earliest of cars had that was subsequently refined as production carried on. It is becoming more and more rare to find a ’58 with these features!
We put some different rims and used tires on the car, these hold air and are about 15 years old, with the correct hubcaps.
For the right set of skilled and determined hands, this will make a fun, educational project, and we can help! We have the parts and can support your restoration with free tech support for the new builder of this car! This project is available for $1,795, just like the original Sprite MSRP.
A clear title and accompanying bill of sale are included, so registration will be easy, anywhere in the world. We can ship anywhere!
