A tonneau is a cover for your Sportscar cockpit, and it is a very important component every open roadster owner should have. Here’s a video all about why they matter. We sell nice ones that are stretchier and that are more likely to fit. Just keep in mind that when you buy one, the fittings are not installed, so your tonneau has to be properly fit to your car, and that is often best done by an auto or marine cover professional to get the best fit.
[Read more…] about Whats a Tonto, Kemosahbee?
The 948 Sprite engine is a delightful little powerplant, and it works just fine for noodling around country roads, or for running up to the grocery store, or for taking the long way home. But it was designed in an era where there was no such thing as a 500 horsepower new car that you could buy from the local car dealer. It was designed when the everyday bloke had some free time, and didn’t have to rush home to check his instagram account. It was designed during a moment in history when 46 horsepower worked just fine.
[Read more…] about Keeping up with the JonesesHere’s another installment in our Sprite video owner’s manual. In this edition, the focus is weather equipment, which applies to all mark one and two Sprites.
Above is my white Bugeye “Cole” rigged with our red soft top and side curtains, as shown in the video below. This Sprite is my “winter workhorse” (at least when the roads are dry). Meanwhile, my wife has her blue Bugeye “Iris” set-up with an original blue hardtop, so we can use both cars through the winter. Both cars have good working heaters and blowers, which makes a difference too.
We don’t take them out if the roads are salty, but in our region, we enjoy many perfectly good driving days with temperatures in the 30s and even 40s, with dry roads. We used both Bugeyes extensively through this November, for example, and even if a big storm means a break from driving, we’ll often get a rain storm to wash the roads clean once again, for another few mid-winter weeks of salt-free driving. Thus we never have to put the cars “away for the winter” and can keep them exercised periodically all winter long.
Your climate may not be as favorable to such “shoulder seasons,” but if you live in a place that has mild winters, the weather gear shown here can make a big difference and extend your driving season dramatically.
We sell new tops, new side curtains, new top bows, top bags and window bags, all at your site. We also sell fitting templates and fittings in our parts catalog, so you can be sure to get all the fasteners in the right location on your car. There’s no better way to run holiday errands than in your Sprite!
Here’s a video for anyone interested in learning the basics of Bugeye operation. We made this one for the new owners of “Morrie,” (a great Iris blue Bugeye we just sent to new owners in Michigan, to replace a Bugeye that (sadly) burned to the ground in the massive fire in Paradise California in 2018).
Of course the video also works for anyone new to Bugeyes.
Congratulations Amy, we hope you enjoy your new Sprite!
Indian summer top-down Bugeye nights are that much sweeter with powerful headlights. Last night was just such a night, and out testing “Willis,” I was happy to capture the power of our new LED H4 headlight combo. This is our brightest yet, and with the low amperage draw of LEDs, no add-on relays are required.
Modern cars have become firestorms of light, and these bulbs are the best thing we have found to compete in the modern world.
Thus we have a plug and play headlight and bulb combo that is super bright and easy to use. If you want this kind of brightness when your high beams are lit, click here to order a set for your Sprite (or any other British classic that uses 7 inch headlight bulbs).
Below you can see these bulbs mounted in “Willis,” where you can see the nifty Cibie-style lens. The LED light is white hot and modern-looking on the road at night. The lens is vintage looking and nostalgic by day! It is nearly impossible to see the LED bulb inside when the lights are off… only when lit do these come alive!
Candy has arrived at her new home in Maryland, and here’s Gary in his new Bugeye (our 324th) and he looks marvelous!
