That’s me having an awesome drive in Cole! The video from this drive is posted below.
Check out the NEW driving video below!
And check out the new pictures in the gallery!
This is my 1960 Bugeye called “Cole.” I bought the car on the 9th of May in 2012 and immediately realized it was a keeper. Everything about this car was restored properly (something we almost never see). By now, I have purchased more than 400 Bugeyes, and I have my pick of the litter. This car is so quick and tight, I immediately made it mine in 2012 and have kept it ever since.
For these last 12 years, Cole has been my alternate ultimate Bugeye for shows and events when “Gumby” (my very first Bugeye) was unavailable. Now that Gumby is set-up beautifully for future events, I no longer need to hang onto this amazing car. This presents a great opportunity for anybody looking for the ultimate Sprite. I can say from experience that it is unlikely you will find another one like it, and while I am asking a premium price, it would cost you a whole lot more to build one like this at today’s prices.
This is one of those Bugeyes that we all wish we could find online but never comes along. It’s perfectly configured… you can jump in and go 0 to 80 MPH on a weekend away without worry. It’s an amazing, straight, awesome restoration, with fantastic upgrades. I was lucky to buy this car and I have not had one this good since.
The Olde English white exterior and red interior are faithful restorations of the original colors. The matching red top and tonneau are excellent. The original steering wheel alone is a stunning restoration that feels like new. I have added red three point seat belts that retract into the boot and LED lights all around for better visibilty.
The car is fit with an A+ series 1275 engine that was modified to 1380 CC and now makes 116 HP @ 6650 RPM and 104 ft lbs of torque at 5000 RPMs, and comes with the builder’s dyno report to prove it (that’s a lot of HP for a Bugeye that originally came with 45 HP). I’ll put the dyno papers in the photo album… the single 1.75 SU Carb is similar to the configuration we use on our supercharged cars and develops excellent power and is easier to tune and maintain than twin carbs. The dyno sheet from Minicomp (now defunct) is included below.
The idle is smooth and the power is instant. The fully synchronized Datsun five-speed transmission is a delight at all speeds. Cooling is upgraded with a custom yet stock-looking radiator that has many extra fins and rows of cooling tubes. There’s also an external oil cooler, electric cooling fan disk brakes, electronic ignition, air horn, new premium master cylinder (installed in November of 2021), hidden cigarette lighter/phone charger, stainless steel performance exhaust and a whole lot more (see list below).
Mileage at purchase was 15,360. Current mileage is 17,621, so I put about 2300 miles on the car during my stewardship.
Cole comes with a great top, side curtains, and top and window pouches. Tires are 175 width and older but with plenty of tread and no cracks. The new owner can leave or replace them, they can make that call.
If you are one of those people who wants the ultimate Bugeye that still looks and feels mostly stock, please give this one serious consideration! I’ll gladly add my signature for the new owner under the bonnet on this one, it’s a premier Sprite! Below is a complete list of notable features of Cole; the full photo gallery is underneath!
Upgrades and features present on Cole:
- Minicomp performance A+ series 1275 engine, modified to 1380cc (see photos for more specs)
- Single HIF6 1.75″ SU carburetor
- Stainless steel performance exhaust with header
- External oil cooler
- Electronic ignition with upgraded gold coil
- Heavy-duty cooling system featuring stock-appearing custom radiator modified with extra rows of cooling tubes, as well as an electric cooling fan
- Fully-synchronized Datsun five-speed transmission conversion
- Front sway bar
- Front disc brakes
- Later Sprite/Midget rear drum brakes (dual-piston rear wheel cylinders (instead of the stock single piston) and a better adjustment system than stock Bugeye rear drum brakes)
- New premium master cylinder, replaced in November of 2021 with less than 300 miles on it since
- Minilite 13″ performance wheels with 175/50 Doral tires (date code 2011, no cracks and great tread)
- Fiamm air horn
- LED brake and tail lights
- LED marker lights
- GE sealed beam halogen headlights, can upgrade to brighter H4 bulbs and/or LEDs if new owner desires
- Battery good, dated 2018
- Red everflex top in its own pouch
- Red everflex tonneau
- Excellent side curtains in their own pouch
- Red hardura trunk mat
- Red 3-point retractable seat belts
- Rubber footwell floor mats
- Rubber footwell threshold covers
- Larger rear view dashboard mirror
Give us a call if you would like to adopt this sensational machine!
