NOW SOLD to Phil in CT! Congrats on bringing home Bugeye # 412.
Price reduced! Now $19,995! More than $20,000 in recent work completed! Great value!
Here’s a fun driver for sale with a ton of new work just completed! Meet “Mira” (AN5L 42061), a 1960 Bugeye Sprite (titled as a 1961). This is a nice driver with a stock 948 engine and drum brakes all around. We’ve just completed a very thorough mechanical restoration, so the car has been quite upgraded for the new owner.
Mira had been hibernating during recent years so we adopted the car for a massive refresh prior to sale. The wiring harness was damaged from a prior fault so we removed all of the original wiring and installed a brand-new reproduction wiring harness that looks just like the day the car was new. We took this opportunity to install a number of new electrical parts in addition to the harness, such as a new ignition switch (with our upgraded ignition switch guillotine to secure the switch in the dash), a new starter pull switch, new horn contact ring, horn brush, turn signal switch, wiper switch, dip switch harness, and more!
The hydraulics also needed a complete overhaul from sitting, so we replaced all of the brake and clutch hydraulics, including a new premium master cylinder, new clutch slave, new wheel cylinders, new rubber brake hoses, new front brake steel bridge lines, and new rear axle gaskets (to keep gear oil from fouling the rear brakes). We also took the opportunity to install a solid-state electric fuel pump kit and run all new metal fuel line to help feed the 948 engine, including a new fuel tank pick up line. The gas tank is nearly new so we left that as is after inspection (still new inside) but we replaced the fuel sender unit and added a metal float. We also added a locking choke cable which makes the choke and high-idle function easier to operate.
Most recently, we performed another long list of upgrades, including installing an aluminum radiator and six-blade fan to aid with cooling, all new coolant hoses, thermostat and gasket. We also changed the water pump and renewed the coolant. We also installed new front lever shocks, as well as fresh shock bushings, steering rack boots, and tie rod end boots and then we aligned the front end.
We upgraded the original style H1 carburetors and now the car runs great, as you can see in the video. We also took the opportunity to install a Pertronix electronic ignition distributor to get rid of the original ignition points. We repaired the speedometer and tachometer, and installed a new fuel gauge which is a nice replica of the original. All the gauges work as originally designed.
We also did a few cosmetic upgrades to the car, installing new rear overriders and door liners, as well as new windshield stanchion gaskets, tail light lenses, fuel neck gasket and new pedal pads. Mira has a top but will need a new top bow. The car also has a set of used sliding side curtains. We also fitted a tonneau for better weather protection.
Check out the driving video below for a look at how well Mira drives!
As with every classic car of this vintage, there is always more to do. For example, I would also like to install three-point inertia seat belts. But we have already restored so much of this car, that it is pretty much ready to go as she sits.
Click “read more” below for the full picture slideshow and give us a call if you are interested in Mira!
