When the best Sports Car makes 43 Horsepower
2024 ж. 13 Мам.
33 698 Рет қаралды
Here's the story of the iconic Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite
Check out this amazing book on the Sprite's history
www.amazon.com/Austin-Healey-...
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Could have bought one of these for probably 100 bucks. Was less than a mile from my house! My parents were friends w the old owner and NEVER knew it existed. It was rough at the estate sale, but something that rare was still savable. If I knew more about them I would have bought it! It went for 60.... With a title!! And no I'm not 80 years old talking about 1978, this was probably 2015-2016? Still kicking myself for that.
An opportunity missed.
In 73, my dad and grandfather purchased a 62 Sprite for $85. In the 80s my grandfather restored it and then several years ago my twin brother and I picked it up and started to drive it again. It's absolutely brilliant.
I bought a 1500 Midget in 2018. My only regret is not buying one 30 years sooner. I’ve had better cars including BMW’s, but no car has ever been more fun to drive.
The Frogeye Sprite was definitely one of the best cars I ever had, and definitely the one that gave the most fun. Even now, after about 50 years, it is still my dream car.
Im a petrol head originally from England and remember the Sprout well. They may have been dirt cheap once but today they cost a little more. The big problem with all cars from that period was rust, it was designed into them. You did the Sprite proud with your excellent presentation of your knowledge and experience from a USA perspective.
I agree, My cousin came back down under with a later Sprite or Midget, that she bought in the UK, rust was definately a problem on those salty roads.
I had a Mark III (1967) and a Mark IV (1969) Spite as well as a MGB (1969). I can attest to the rust problems as well. I was the fourth owner of the Mark III. The first owner had raced it, and it had a hot engine. It also had rusted floorboards under the driver. Someone had screwed together some old road signs to cover the missing metal, and when I would go through a big puddle the back of my calves would get soaked. Curiously, there was a fine oil leak on the passenger side of the oil pan and that side had no rust. The only real rust on my other two was on the rocker panels. I was able to obtain new ones for the Mark IV. I never totally got the MGB sorted before I had to let it go. Tragically, I crashed the Mark III into a light pole when the brakes failed due to a leakage problem with the main cylinder. Interestingly, I had a problem with the clutch slave cylinder as well and replaced it with a custom part. I was a student at a large university studying physics and we had our own cyclotron. The guys in the machine shop made me one out of titanium.
@@louisgiokas2206Quite the history, sir. 👍
@@Marzimus Thanks. Yes, we were really into it. It was not just my brother and I, but all our friends as well. It was a bit crazy, and fun (and the women loved it).
@@louisgiokas2206 My local mechanic has a black and white picture up of five guys all piled under the hood of a car. The more things change, the more they stay the same..
My Mk1 "bugeye" was 0.040" overbored (960cc?), flat top racing pistons, polished and ported head, camshaft line bored so it ran in three bearings, duplex timing gear, balanced motor, Weber sidedraught and extractor exhaust. Most comfortable and pure fun car that I ever owned.
Throughout the 60's 70's 80's and even in 90's Hemmings Motor News classified ads they were called, advertised as, Bugeye Sprites. Oh well.
Fifty plus years ago I called them a "bugeye". I have never heard them referred to as a "frogeye"
It is actually a genius design. An instantly recognisable face that says "this is the face you will make when driving this" 8D That said ... it's probably just there for the joy of driving on small curvy roads, the trunk seems impractical, it's probably uncomfortable in bad weather. But I assume few of the buyers had it as their everyday car, it was more like a second you kept for fun moments on the weekend.
Miata is always the answer. 😉
I worked with a guy that owned a Sprite. When his stock engine threw a rod he transplanted a 2.0L I-4 along with the transmission from a Ford Pinto into it. He added 2 dual Weber carbs and headers. That was one seriously fast car.
I wonder if the diff stood up, i managed to break 2 rear axles in a 1500 cc Morris Major which had what was really a Minor Diff.
I had a Morris Minor 1000 that someone before me transplanted a 1275cc in it. Driving around NW Oregon at freeway speeds soon demanded a later model ribbed transmission when 2nd gear exploded... Sadly, personal economics demanded the sale of the car. I still miss it.
damn
straight line speed has only ever been the goal in america. everywhere else the emphasis was always on driveability & handling, that's the definition of a sports car.
Highway system vs twisting roads that move between property and the landscape, we search for mountain roads to experience this,, It's why I've always believed the roadsters were born and it's influence was important... Cheers from Southern California 🇺🇸
More to your point, 1st Gen Corvette "C1" was absolutely an attempt at Roadster, also why some Americans didn't like it, let alone fit in it, Even the Famed Cobra,, True to Roadster, no side window etc, Shelby took the AC Bristol, with an Engine swap, in my opinion they are the best looking one's.. Later of course becoming the 427 Cobra...
I have a 59 Bugeye, as it was known in America. Although mine has a Mazda rotary with 4 to 6 times the original power depending on the state of tune. I've had all sorts of cars but this Austin Healey is the only one I'll never get rid of!! Great video!!
An interesting conversion. Presumably you upgraded transmission, suspension, brakes too.
Ive grown up around 20 - 50s Austins and have a Austin 7 project and I will say driving any old car is better than most if not all modern ones.
The 'SprogEyed Fright' was my first ever car. 1959 model I bought in 1964. I hadn't yet qualified for a driver's license...My father was convinced that they'd fail me in the test if I turned up with that so he went off and bought me an old Ford Popular, the Sprite remained in our garage until I'd passed my test.. Fabulous little car.. huge fun.
I own a 1997 Dodge Viper GTS, a 1991 Celica ALLTRAC, and a 1978 MG MGB, and I can totally understand what you're saying about the Midget. It's certainly a unique driving experience.
flex much? Jackass.
I can recall these Sprites when they first came on the scene, and right from the inception they were called ‘frogeye sprites’
Depended on where you lived.
I was driving my 1960 Sprite passed a middle school as the kids were just coming out. The kids pointed to my car and said "look a baby car".
That story is not true. A: There is no way you could have heard what the kids said due to the noise of the car. B: The speed you were traveling vs stationery kids what make it impossible to discern individual words due to doppler effect. Please seek help for your lying problem.
I used to see them around in the 60’s and 70’s. We knew them as “bug eyed Sprites” and yes, they were in demand as affordable race cars.
Mine was a 1969 Sprite with a tuned 1275 engine (over 75 hp) More fun to drive than I can describe here. Thanks for this video!
The "A" Series engines, up to and including the 1275 in my '67 Mini Traveler, were probably the most versatile and upgradable engines ever produced. They came in so many displacements and power ranges it is hard to believe they all had the same very humble starting point - they did everything from taking the vicar on his rounds to winning the Monte Carlo Rallye and were so simple to work on. They also accommodated transmissions from the conventional rear-mount to siting on top of one as in the Mini. Hall of Fame.
I own three of these. And a 77 Midget. The three sprites are in various stages of restoration. The 58 is a road car, a very early 58 too but needs every body panel fixed. The 59 is a race car, needs most body panels repaired. The 60 is a complete chassis ready to bolt all the parts back on. Soon, the 60 will be on the road, but until then, I'll flog my Midget and love ever mile of it.
Great video, thanks for sharing. My Bugeye became roadworthy in July of '23 after almost three years of rejuvenation work. I love driving it and put about 1300km on it before winter set in! Can't wait for the weather to warm and the streets to clear so I can get back on the road.
Well researched; well written and presented. Thank you.
"Went?" You meant gone. Great video! I liked these from their introduction. Contemporaneously, I was driving an MGA another example of British fun. The MG was a "project" from the day I acquired it and still was when I unloaded it (at night - buyer's choice). Thanks for giving us these insights.
This was great as always.
Brilliant, thank you.
great video ... had many MGBs over the years ... but always aspired to have a Sprite -- great little cars.
Have one. Love it. 👍
I liked that quarter eliptic rear spring set up with an upper trailing arm, would have gotten rid of that dreadful spring wind up of later BMC products.
Would love a MG A video
Many moons ago, I had a '61 Bugeye. It was a lot of fun.
My first car - a '58 in Chrome Yellow. Wish I still had it of course, but sold it in favour of a '60 MG-A coupe, red and wish I still had that, too!
At least you had one of each!!
The bug eyed sprite was a fun car to drive till one day the muffler fell off and I had one hour of driving to get home, your so close to the exhaust that your hearing suffered, I clearly remember that day back in the 60's!
Great video. I had 6 Spridgets back in the 80s. My 63 Mark 2, 1098 was the best. Solid floors ,Old English White. I found British Tags, "XGK 699". Eventually i put in a 1275. Then it ran Superb...best advice about accidents..Avoid Them!!!
I bought a ‘61 in pieces for restoration at age 19 for $500 including a new block, and a running ‘60 for parts. Paid too much and ultimately cost me more than I expected to finish so I sold it to pay the bills. That red car with red interior, white piping and a white top was the closest thing to a Ferrari I could hope for. And like every affordable sports car owner knows, I lost money. Best way to learn about the construction and the business of cars. Men buy sports cars ‘to get girls’. News flash, women generally don’t care. But my Sprite was an absolute chick magnet. My time with it was brief but I’d own another if I could. Unfortunately now they’re actually worth something.
In England we called the A30 the Peanut Car.
Enjoyed the show! I had a ‘B which for itself was a bit small for modern traffic.😂
The name "Sprite" was a natural and appropriate choice . The name had a long association with sports cars in England. The Riley Sprite in the 1930s was a two seater sports car. The Riley Kestrel Sprite was the more powerful version of the Kestrel sports saloon. (When I was a little kid my dad had a 1936 1098cc Riley nine Kestrel - a beautiful car.)
Are you the same guy who makes bike videos and own a triumph? Big FAN! Thank you so much for the amazing content!!
Owning a Frog myself, I think you have hit the nail on the head here. The only downside is that it has proven impossible to errrr................... entertain a lady in one.
One of the coolest cars I ever owned. Wish I had it today.
My first car was a 1959 bugeyed sprite, I was just barely 15 . It was great fun
I loved thoes cars but frankly in New York in the seventies you couldnt find less dependable transportation. Nothing like running through the gears with the top down on a sunny day and a windy road. Easy to fix .. a good thing considering how often they broke down especially the electrical system. In the cold and snow there was little worse hardto start, cold and breezy ride.
I didn't hear you mention that it was called the Frog eye sprite in Britian, but in the US it was called the Bug eye sprite. Most americans never heard of the name Frog eye even at the time.
I was and am a advocate for these English sport cars,. While most were into big horsepower I liked my Triumph tr4 irs. During high school. Still think a good running 4 cyl. Is the way to go. Got a altima 2009 2 door. Still runs like a top.
Strictly speaking, the chassis of the Sprite/Midget is uni-body not monocote. One point over looked here was the introduction of American service men to small British sports cars during WW II. That exposure led to a market for those kinds of cars that the Brits took advantage of in the decade and a half after the war to export fun little cars to America. The MGB that came later than the Sprite sold close to 80% of the roasters made to the US market. I had a 1973 Midget. It is by far the most fun car I've ever owned. As the author of this video alludes to, it is the most fun you can have in a car at 45 mph.
you just might want to try a heads-up comparison on track and road to an original 1000cc Mini Cooper.
Nice. Austin-Healey Sprite!
My first sports car is a Miata, and I consider Frogeye Sprites the original proto-Miata. Would love to drive one someday and see how even less power and less weight affects the fun level :)
Ah, my first car, a ‘59. Bought for $50 in 1970, sold for $70 in 1972. One of many British cars I should never have sold!
I had a 59 Morris 1000, that I put twin SU on. Drove the crap out of it for many years.
The problem in crashes is Merikan Trucks, not small sportscars
Speed up! Here comes a corner! I’ve had three midgets, a 63, 67, and a 76. All great fun. I was in high school and racing karts so the midgets were the next logical step. I eventually got a big car. An MGB!
We always called them "bug eyed" Sprite's not "frog eyed".
I had a '79 Spitfire. It was a delight to drive!
Still one of my absolute favourite cars ever. Last time I saw one I think I had a bigger smile than the car had
There's a shirtless man on yhe sales floor. Glass of water for Mr. Grainger. Glass of water for Mt. Grainger.
The Frogeye is essence of car, all the essential bits and absolutely no more. It's kind of like the Jaguar XKSS, but made of cheap, everyday stuff. What more do you want? At least on the days you don't need a roof or a heater or to carry much luggage or .... but who really needs all that?
Back in the 60's, when I was in college, I had a TR3b, double the horsepower of the bug-eye.
Porsche did something similar with their 356 based upon the VW Beetle. That sold well in USA too didn't it?
Ah, Bart, look at the early1950's (circa1950-1952) Crosley Hotshot and convince me that there aren't performance and design inspirations for the later 1950's "Bugeye"/Frogeye Sprite. Even the face and headlamp mounting of the Hotshot shouts out facial design cues for the later "Bugeye". Look at the two closely and you'll see the interesting design similarities, and you might agree. I owned my 1960 Bugeye in 1967-1968 when I had no money, and I dearly loved that little gem of a sports car which finally was sadly done in by "the tinworm" encouraged by the unrelenting power of Midwestern winter road salt in the USA. Cheers.
The D=type Jaguar was an alunimum monocoque, not steel. The E-type was steel. The Sprite was essentially what you got after throwing away most of an A-35.
Parts bin... The starter motor for the MG Midget was the same 1948-1972.
I find these little cars quite charming, but I’m 90% sure I wouldn’t be able to fit in one
The bug eyed sprite we call them the bug eyed sprite in Australia aren't these the cutest car ever made
At 0:22 you show the roadsters of the California Roadster Association during the 1940s - why are they included in this video? They were the furthest you could get from a "sports car" and raced on dirt ovals.
As American cars grew, so so too did Americans.
bug-eye sprite. never heard frog eye
Love my NC even if these make it look like a bohemeth, lol.
Like how can a car that looks like a frog NOT be fun?
I had a 1958, with a new engine, it never ran well.
Froggy car
That's the old miata not the elan, damn he's cute I definitely want one😂😂
I remember seeing them new in the showroom for $900.
11:44 Goofy ahh sports car
The headlights had to be move upwards to meet American light regulations, hence the frog eyes!
In 1962 I went on a mission to find a good condition 1960 Sprite in Southern California. Almost impossible, in just 2 years they had all been beaten to death. Did find a low mileage example, it was kind of OK but the cheapness of design caused many problems. Gave up and sold it after 2 years, good riddance!
Wait is this the same bart guy that makes motorcycle videos?
Petition to have those headlights on a miata sign below.
@0:03 ...has went...??? ...has gone...!!!
Sport car, from the sport of driving, or being driven. Yes? No?
must have been the only sports car
And a frog is probably faster than this stone.
Hayabusa swap!
Had one.. restored it nicely ...Sold it ! Because the reality was it was Junk.... Even in perfect restored condition . Sloooow ....Bad brakes and sketchy ''handling' What's Not to love ?
People forget that the AC sports car line, from Britain, was around for a while before some clown wanted to put a Ford 289 in it and see what happens.... LOL EDIT ADD-ON... I think that the interest in British sports cars was also due to many Americans could afford budget amateur racing and the SCCA was there for that. Even today you can usually see vintage Brit cars tearing it up.
I've had a 200hp Alfa GTV V6 Tb, a 390hp Maserati 4200 and now I drive a 140hp S2 Lotus Elise. The one with "just" 140hp is the best sports car by far. The only problem when driving this little car is obviously, trucks and SUVs... Great video on this lovely car, I hope you'll make yours perfect.
why not make the car's front look totally like a face rather than 1/2 way? why not a bumper and grill be like cherry red lips and chromed teeth ? headlights already look like eyes.
"Has went through . . ."??! Try "has gone through . . .". English 101
These things are chronically slow Anyone interested in even basic performance , run for the hills
Overweight, underpowered with mediocre suspension and brakes. The only thing going for the Sprite was its low cost. The only good English sports car from that era was the Elan. Yes, it was expensive, but it was light years ahead of anything else.
lasted all of two minutes before giving up. WHY OH WHY do Americans think they know anything about the British can industry. This is absolute rubbish
I'm always down for Spridget videos.
It was called the Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite here in British Columbia which was it's largest North American market at that time! Fred Deeley here in Vancouver was the biggest seller of Austin and Morris, etc. cars in North America during up until the late 1960s when Japanese cars came on the market! Half of all cars on BC roads at that time where British brands. In the UK it was nicknamed Frogeye! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin-Healey_Sprite
Exactly. A new generation of dweeb has renamed it. It won't be long before Bugeye is banned by the same generation.