HEMI HEALEY: 478ci Hemi-Powered 1959 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite | EP15

No wonder it's smiling... it's got a Hemi. Concealed behind its cute, friendly grin, a massive 478 cu. in. Chrysler Hemi producing 440 horsepower is perfectly paired with a Corvette suspension in this 80" wheel-base 1959 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite. Owned and designed by engineer Vaughn Marian for the past 56 years, son Dave Marian sneaks the Ferrari-yellow roadster out for a drive with Nicole up legendary Highway 74 (as driven in the 1963 movie "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World") overlooking Palm Desert, California.
ABOUT THE MARIANS: Dave and his brother John grew up building the Sprite with their father, who acquired the body in 1966 on a first-date with their mother. A legacy 56 years strong, the Sprite is like a member of the Marian family, and has evolved for decades to become what it is today.
Dave's KZbin: @caddydave
SPRITE BUILD PHOTOS: / hemi_bugeye_sprite
•••••
Created and Produced by Michael Badami and Nicole Johnson
Directed by Michael Badami
© Lawndart Limited
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#hemihealey #hemisprite #bugeyesprite #frogeyesprite #nicolejohnsonsdetour #v8roadster

[@vaughnmarian573]

Thank you for producing this spectacular video of our Sprite! I’m just as proud of my sons as I am of the car!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

As you should be! The 3 of you clearly have a special bond and it's something all dads should have with their sons. The fact that you included them all these decades with this car is admirable... I'm willing to bet that through this tiny little car, you have instilled confidence, mechanical skills and dedication into their constitutions. Bravo, dad! I am appreciative of the very rare opportunity to have driven the Sprite and our team is grateful to you, sir! Your engineering mind is impressive! May your family and friends enjoy this forever! 😊

[@danamesarchik3633]

Vaughn, you did a great job raising your boys you must be very proud of them!

[@drdesmo8489]

Father or Mothers doing this with there kids is what makes wonderful people and magic on this earth. Thank you for letting Nicole and Company make this absolutely awesome video, I bet she is a blast to work with.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

@DrDesmo I bet you're right! 😂

[@harryspeakup8452]

Vaughn, this car does you and your family huge credit. Making such a beast completely sound in engineering terms, keeping it usable and tractable, is one of the most impressive pieces of home automotive engineering I've ever seen. And the fact that you've had it as a family, and have been tinkering with it, for so many decades is extremely endearing.

[@timothydraper3687]

I like how proud this guy is of his dad, it's what every child (but not every father) deserves, a lucky guy and lucky dad. 🙂

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes..we agree!! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@danielhoward8354]

Well said

[@leebatt7964]

My dad taught me to play chess, I frickin hate chess!

[@darrinrentruc6614]

agree

[@garretlewis4103]

At least you had the right apparel. Head scarf and cat eye sunglasses. The power to weight ratio is probably crazy.

[@Tonedog88]

Being the only non-family person to drive a car representing 50 years of family love and effort....lady, you should feel honored. Nice video!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes.. we agree and I'm very aware of that!! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hi, to do so would be worth at least one knee slap.

[@robertbailey8003]

As a UK engineer who was a young boy when the Sprite came out, I can tell you I love this car and the way you have designed and developed it. It is perfect for its environment.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@oldbloke135]

To do this on 2D AutoCAD is a remarkable piece of work. The result is definitely something to be proud of. I don't know how you keep your driving license!

[@tomgardner6294]

The. Scarf, the glasses, the car…so perfect. Only do be outdone by the laughing that accompanied that first burnout..this one really brought the best out of you. Such a great video! And such great engineering to make it all possible. What an amazing car!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed it..thanks for watching!!

[@davidburne9477]

That cackle sounded like it was straight from the witches of Macbeth. Gold!

[@1nvisible1]

*Power/weight ratio just N of the Challenger Shuttle.* *In forty years when his kids give it the "vertical" refresh with the carbon tub frame and stub wings, it will have a flight ceiling of 40,000 feet.*

[@robertweinmann9408]

First time seeing one of your videos, which was excellent. With your scarf and shades, you look just like Andrea Martins character Pirini Scleroso. I mean that in the best possible way!

[@randolfo1265]

@@robertweinmann9408 - Pirini Scleroso! (Big fan here)

[@harryspeakup8452]

This is so beautifully executed when it could (and most times would) have been a complete abomination. As a Brit with an appreciation of high powered mongrels I very much appreciate it. Hats off to the Marians for making it real and letting Nicole bring it to us for everyone's pleasure

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

How nice..thank you !!

[@frankish5314]

So thats 2 of us Brits on here.. Any more?

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

@@frankish5314 Well, there have been comments screaming at us that these are called Frogeye, not Bugeye. I'm willing to bet those folks are Brits... who didn't bother to watch! We clearly state that we call them Bugeye in the US! 😂 Anyway, thanks for watching!

[@TheGearhead222]

Reminds me of the Sunbeam Tiger or ACE Cobra on steroids!;)-John in Texas

[@nygelmiller5293]

@@frankish5314 yes, ME, Nygel Miller. Look out for my long comment, about how I admired these when I was on my way to school!

[@slicksnewonenow]

"Car Guys" are a dime a dozen... But "Car Gals" are as rare as a Blue Moon....😍

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you!!!

[@timmungenast]

When wretched excess is this beautifully engineered and executed, it becomes Art. This is one amazing roadster, and a very fun video! Nice work all around!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@raymondo162]

MEH

[@davidfreeman8074]

@@NicoleJohnsonsDetour The 80 in. wheelbase and this big engine is seemingly a notch MORE pathological puppy beyond Mr. Shelby's gas guzzlin' AC. Awesome build quality.

[@MikeAarset]

I have a bugeye and this bugeye was done so well. A real engineering masterpiece. Love it. Super impressed

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@boronsniify]

Great job Vaughan, not only in building the Sprite, but raising such a personable son! Props to you!

[@rldunn38]

I kept waiting for her to break out singing, 'They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, "No, no, no"'. Beautiful car, equally beautiful work under its skin.

[@allanbowes6952]

In the spring of 1962 I was sharing driving to work with a friend who had a white Sprite. The trip was about 20 miles each way. At highway speed 60 MPH or so you felt that you were at 'Warp" speed. Your bottom felt about one inch from the road. This is probably the best refit of a Sprite period. Very well done!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing your story. Glad you liked it!!

[@daveevans5291]

I agree.

[@darrinrentruc6614]

They are cheap for the reason that they shitty cars. I guess removing 100 percent of the drive train,suspension,steering is all they need to be nice cars.

[@oxtoolco]

I've ridden in this car. It indeed has no room in the footwells. I got my steel toe boots stuck when Dave gave me a ride in it. Excellent video! Dave had his nervous face on. All the best, Tom

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..glad you liked it!!

[@Keith_Ward]

Hey Tom! The people you run into in the strangest places! I'll bet you knew they were using AutoCAD like I did long before he said it.

[@timclaus8313]

Got to ride in the Sprite after the 426 hemi was installed. Not likely to forget that ride, ever.

[@yjsaabman]

The scarf and the sunglasses are perfect! They just add to the unassuming nature of the car. What a fantastic piece of engineering. Thank you for sharing the car and the fantastic story behind it with us!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Our pleasure! Thank you for watching!!

[@robertbutler8004]

Every boy needs a dad as this guy has!!!

[@peterbonnez]

Excellent. No loud exhaust, no spoilers, still has it's bumpers. I like that. A pal lent me his for 2 days in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain, very similar roads to those you are on. What a lot of fun I had in it, his has a 1293 cc Arden conversion, that was plenty fast enough. This Mopar car would be insane! A friend in UK has a Frogeye with a 6 cylinder 2.5 litre engine from an original JEEP.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!!

[@58raceguy]

Nicole, you always do such a great job on your episodes. You come across as being easy to converse with and always have intelligent questions. When you first nailed the throttle and started cracking up, you had me laughing right along with you. You were definitely rockin’ the sunglasses too! Thanks for sharing this car with all of us, it’s completely absurd in the most fantastic way. I’m really impressed with the engineering they put into the build. Keep up the great work, we love ‘ya for it.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@exinfernnus]

The first few minutes I said, "Yah that's cool." Then they opened the hood. I teared up a bit at that point.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you liked it..thank you so much for watching!!

[@johnmact5548]

I lived in Palm Desert and Restored British sports cars in the UK. That's one awesome build, and a great look, Same sunglasses as my wife.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed it..we appreciate you watching!!

[@radsk8rbigollies594]

I like how it is still the exact same size and still looks like a real sprite. It is respectful to the original aesthetic but extremely custom and hot rodded. Job well done. Cool- Cool- Cool!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@caddydave]

Is it safe to say it changed your life? :)

[@radsk8rbigollies594]

@@caddydave Um, sure. Consider my life changed!😜

[@CLCIII]

That is a 100 plus smiles per hour car for sure! Perfect Los Angelas Crest Cruiser! Love it!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We agree! Thanks for watching!!

[@danamesarchik3633]

Dave what a great treat for all your Dads hard work over this years. I remember when I first saw this project 30 years ago and was amazed at what he was building. Nicole great job keeping all that HP on the road as Dave is not a very good passenger.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..I actually thought he was a pretty good sport as a passenger, considering they had never let anyone drive the car before.

[@rayfoster6980]

In ‘63 my dad bought my mom a new Sunbeam Alpine. She always wore a scarf and the coolest shades of the day. You pulled that look off just as well. As a kid my twin brother and I rode with dad on 2 round trips from the LA area to Clearwater Florida in the Alpine It ended up being my first car and the first of many little British sports cars including a Bug Eye. Those were the days, great job on a great car.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Awesome..thanks for sharing!! Glad you liked it!!

[@caddydave]

2 kids with dad in an Alpine coast to coast had to be an amazing experience!

[@Gmacrone]

Wow, another sleeper and the looks on your face were absolutely priceless.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you..glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@DMJ52]

In the UK we call this car a Frogeye Sprite ….. very nicely engineered project, super job.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

I know..I think Frogeye and Bugeye both describe the car!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@possumwilliams2940]

Nicole, your facial expressions and your infectious laughter says it all....I love this little bogeyed sprite and I just adore you 🥰..thank you for the smile ☺ on my face !!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Oh thank you! Glad we could make you smile!!

[@davidtaysom3592]

My mum and dad had one of these in England in the 60s and it was the first car ever I ever took to the road sat on my dad's lap when I was about 4 years old steering the car love them and still want one really enjoyed your video the gentleman that owns it is such a good sport

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

How nice that you have those memories!! We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@paulmccool378]

Highway 74 is the perfect road for a car like that. Nicole gets bonus points for knowing it was the highway in IAMMMMW.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes..we did know that. Beautiful road for sure!!

[@robertamoyaw8812]

What a Dad!!!!🤠👍

[@joecausey8508]

I love it! The car, the laughing, the woman.... ❤

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@dougoverhoff7568]

Back in the 60's my brother and his friend bought a '54 Austin Healey that had a 327 Corvette engine. That car was so awesome!

[@kimlground206]

That would have been a 100-6 or 3000 conversion. Very popular and almost bolt-in.

[@jeffprice6421]

That noise coming out of that car is crazy. Love this.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We're so glad you like it! Thanks for watching!!

[@cyberburnzy]

The car and all the work and love this family has put into it is fantastic. Nicole, you are looking so classy in this video - very Audrey Hepburn! The camera work was great especially those high altitude drone shots.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much..glad you liked it!!

[@maxxwellbeing5208]

Awesome sixties shades and bonnet look. And the car...you can see it squatting down with pure power... What a cool build, total sleeper... they're totally sitting on a motor and transmission...

[@timclaus8313]

This is the automotive equivalent of a WWII fighter, strap on an engine and be gone....

[@GPL1968]

This has to be the ultimate wolf in sheep's clotheing. Love it.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes..we love it too!! Thank you for watching!!

[@conceptsken1]

GREAT JOB FATHER AND SONS IN THE GARAGE, VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We agree!! Thank you for watching!!

[@davethehippieman2665]

The level of WOW in this Bugeye is off the charts.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes..for sure!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@tomcolegrove5491]

A short 21-minutes ago I said, "Oh! Look! Another Nicole Johnson's Detour video!!!!" It was over all too quickly (in more ways than one!). Thanks for the ride-along.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

How nice!! Thank you for riding along with us!!

[@petershim5900]

Okay... Nichole... that raucous laugh... It's megalomaniac! That lil bugeye is totally worth it! It's nuts! 🤩... n you're nuts 😆

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..you might be right!!!

[@garyt.8745]

"You're the perfect size....". No mate! Nicole is perfect in every single way 😍

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

That's very nice of you!! Thank you!

[@scccp]

I worked my way through law school doing mild restorations of Austin Healy Bug-eyed Sprites and 100s. Did do one Jag. This brings back memories of working in the non-air conditioned garage behind my apartment on many hot and cold days. Great job on the car and the video. Thanks to both of you.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed watching!! Thank you so much!!

[@Trentyist]

That is just fantastic. Beautifully engineered. I live in the UK. Frog eye sprites are few and far between now but they are always a head turner when seen out and about. I really enjoyed watching that.........thanks and best wishes.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

How nice!! Thank you so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@trollerguy]

You are a Queen, you presented this man's car like a pro. I will be watching for others.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you! 😃!!

[@johnhicks9929]

I`M BACK ! GREAT VIDEO ! MS. JOHNSON , YOU ROCK THE CAT EYE SHADES AND HEADSCARF !! YOU HAD THE BIG GUY HANGIN` ON ! THAT CAR IS REALLY ENGINEERED TO THE MAX ! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS ! 478 HEMI HEALEY , I`M IN HEAVEN !!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Welcome back!! Thanks for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@christopherward5065]

What a great toy! The engineering is superb. It sounded incredible and looked perfect. The classic body shell over a space frame is pure racing car. Well done!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We agree!! Glad you liked it!!

[@DraQuul]

This was great on sooo many levels. I loved the car, the engineering that went into building it and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you two make this very entertaining video. Excellent job!!!😉

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much..that's very nice!!

[@rgs4x]

In 1961 my family friend Bob Knapp Palo of Alto California was one of the first guys to put a V8 Chevrolet Corvette engine in a Austin Healey Sprite. It was featured in the August 61 Issue of Hot Rod Magazine. Page 61

[@caddydave]

We have that issue of hot rod! That was the article that started my dad down this road with this body…. Bob Knapp had a son named Robert… I think he lives in Colorado. I’ve tried to contact him, but the numbers I’ve found don’t seem to work. Do you know how to reach him?

[@caddydave]

From memory , Bob had an auto parts store that was located somewhere in Palo Alto on the El Camino.

[@rgs4x]

@@caddydave We know him as Robbie Knapp and we have not heard from him in years.

[@CS_247]

" I have chickens! And kids!!" 😆 Classic. What a great shoot and what an awesome car. Nicole is like a ray of sunshine. 😍

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@alanmorris1996]

you’re not beautiful … you’re MORE than BEAUTY !!! And you know it !!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Oh gee...thank you!!

[@anthonycollingridge970]

Its a three quarter scale Cobra!!! Fantastic execution and hats off to the owner and his Dad.

[@spikespa5208]

Frankensprite. Outstanding job.

[@kimkleiner8456]

except it's got that huge hemi!

[@danfinelli81]

I would compare driving the car to wily coyote strapping a rock to himself! What a badass car!

[@glennoropeza3545]

I love nothing better than an over size engine squeezed into an undersized car! But a 7.7 liter engine in a car that was designed for a 800cc car is beyond incredible!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you for watching..glad you liked it!!

[@allanpolk2681]

What a beautifully put together car. Everything is seamlessly matched and so well done. The ultimate sleeper. Nice.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We agree! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@spicydragon3881]

This was an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC video! Your Sprite is both beautiful and pure insanity and I loved every second of it. When my parents got married they had a Sprite and it stayed in the family until I could drive. It was truly, like yours, a member of the family (and even with original Lucas wiring I think it got yelled at less than I did at times). Truly, hats off to your dad and the entire family for the time and incredible engineering (and patience) that went into this. Bravo.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@philipashford8102]

MISS NICOLE YOUR"E A BLEESING DOING THESE VIDEOS IT SHOWS A LOT OF THE CLASSICS THAT ARE RARELY SEEN & YOU HAVE A BLAST TALKING ABOUT THE CARS & HISTORY ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE & HAVING A TOTAL BLAST THANKS AGAIN

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you like them! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@DIYBFF123]

The front of that car is just pure HAPPY!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@caddydave]

Its hard to imagine a more cheery shape…. You don’t have to be a “car” person to recognize the big smile!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes it is...just makes you smile!!

[@944tim]

this guy looks like a superhero type. I half expected to see a cape. This family has built a wonderful vehicle, please thank them for allowing us to see it. On a related note, I saw an MGB cut in half the long way and widened out. You can probably find it online . Another good episode Nicole!! MGB=Jim Stabe

[@ChucklesGarageOfficial]

I support this kind of irresponsibility

[@billfoster5563]

Anything else.... ...would be uncivilized

[@ernieseegers4747]

😂👍

[@johnmarian9062]

We won the “Best Engine” award at the 2022 Saratoga (CA) car show today!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

I heard!!! That is so great!!! Well deserved!

[@markadams7597]

Wow, just wow! Quiet but deadly. Mopar or Nocar!

[@jimmybarr9411]

I love this guy, so calm and collected, super down to earth.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We agree!! Thanks for watching this new episode!!

[@caddydave]

Me? I try!

[@jamespink4202]

Absolutely superb! "If some is good, and more is better, then too much is just enough"! Just marvelous! I thought my friend had a quick Frogeye with a 1750 Alfa motor...

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@johnbecay3859]

i love these cars that a family keeps for generations and keep working on. they have so much more cred than cars that people bang out and then go on to the next one.

[@kensbackshop6399]

Kudos to the 3guys who built this amazing car,,,,,,that is one super sleeper for sure,,,,awesome guys

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes!! Thank you for watching!!

[@billnlori3149]

What an absolute beast of a sleeper!! Love it. The sun glasses were totally on point lol!!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

So glad you enjoyed it..thank you!!

[@LosZonga]

Another awesome video, magnetism and such a well designed car. Great content, congrats to the builders, such a great inspiration and history.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@michaelmartinez1345]

What a masterpiece of engineering!!!! Wow!!! This car is something else!!! Intense acceleration and an OMG moment, every time the gas pedal is even slightly depressed !!! I especially like the final scenes of driving up SR 74 coming out of Palm Desert... I used to take that highway to visit my folks when I lived in Orange county... I would pick up SR-74 in Mission Viejo and take it all the way to Palm Desert, then turn to the West on Hwy 111 Twd's P.S. .... Follow the same route in a reverse direction on the way back home... My folks lived in Palm Springs back then... A beautiful drive it is... Brings back a lot of memories....

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Yes..it's a beautiful drive for sure. Thank you so much for watching..we're glad you enjoyed it!!

[@BobbyTucker]

The way your knees come in contact with the dash eliminates the need for airbags! lol

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..you might be on to something!! Thank you for watching!!

[@umbertoyltp]

You even found '59 style sunglasses and scarf! I saw Hoovie owning an original restored Austin Healey which had a tiny engine delivering 43 horsepower! Thanks to the overall weight it still was a fun car, but not exactly burning rubber! The Healy was designed to be a very affordable sportscar as Jeremy Clarkson would say ;-) I love the father and sons lifetime effort and knowhow to evolve this sweetie pie into a contained monster fit for people who may have to drop their shoes, haha!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..Thank you for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@oldschool8432]

Awesome car, awesome interviewer an awesome builder

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you..glad you liked it!!

[@SoCalChoppas]

Wow, just Wow....great build. Nicole awesome job and the scarf head covering...perfect for the ride!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much..glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@jnucleo]

This was a great respit from the mad, mad, mad, mad world we live in today! That is one of my favorite movies of all time, great choice for a road trip! As an engineer and motorhead, I really appreciate the work the Marian family put into this over the top Bugeye. Well done!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@davect01]

You always find some great rides and owners ☺️

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you..glad you're enjoying!!

[@stuartb9323]

What an awesome little car! Everytime you guys nailed the throttle, I was laughing along with you both. That look you had going on Nicole reminded me of a photo of my Mom back in 1963. Same cat eye glasses, and that scarf was on the money! You've got my Sub for several reasons 🙂

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Awesome...thank you so much for the sub. Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@davidberry6046]

Ah, memories! My Dad bought a baby blue 1959 Sprite in 1961, while stationed in San Antonio, Texas, @ Brooke Army Medical Center. I was 15 at the time, and my Dad taught me how to drive with this Sprite, so it was literally the very first car I ever drove, and boy, did I love it! Unfortunately, he later traded it for a Triumph TR3, but man, do I have some great memories of driving an Austin Healey Sprite in the 60s. Thank you for bringing back those memories.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Wonderful memories!! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@shackcf]

I have no idea how you found this treasure. I was a BMC/Leyland, Peugeot, Citroen mechanic in the late 60's & early 70's. Until they were no longer imported then I switched to other imports. This was a great video!! Thank you very much. Had to be a blast!! 😉👍👍

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much..we're glad you enjoyed watching!! Yes..it was a blast!!

[@capnchip]

Really cool! I was a dealer for these things back in the day! Still love them! This car has everything...but ...seat belts! With no top an accident would absolutely send you into the next county on the fly! OUCH!

[@george344]

Just don’t crash🌝

[@billmcgarry3300]

Wow! That’s Crazy…and well engineered. Makes my 327 powered Healey 100 and my 289 powered Tiger look very Tame!! Excellent quality video production. Thanks Nicole!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you like it! Thanks for watching!!

[@MrGaryGG48]

You're on my "train of thought, Bill." A neighbor of mine many years ago, stuffed a Mazda B13 Rotary in a "Buggy/Frog Eye" and thought he had a miraculous beast of a car. 🤣 He had no idea!!! When I first saw this episode on the list, I was thinking, "Nicole has lost her mind!!" After watching the rest of the video, I have to agree that the Marian family guys have engineered this thing down to the last nut & bolt. The result is phenomenal. 👍 (...we're still watching Nicole closely! 😂 )

[@wagonmaster1974]

@@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Right there with Bill. Back in the 80s, I had an automotive shop. Did inventive mechanical things. I stuffed a 340 MOPAR drivetrain into a 1959 Austin Healey 100/6. Drove it probably half a dozen total times, three times on the street, before I took it apart. One of the more frightening vehicles I have ever piloted! It was clearanced with a yardstick and a set of calipers. Ok, not quite so rudimentary, but no cad program was available. Hats off to Vaughn and his boys for using their heads and expertise to build this frog righteously! Respect to David for trusting Nicole to the wheel and for Nicole treating it well. Very good driver!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

@@wagonmaster1974 Thank you for sharing and for the kind words!

[@MrShepardDog]

The car is a rolling work of art...!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you like it..thanks for watching!!

[@c.s.s.1723]

Just an exquisite one- off build. Yes..! Just the fact that it has taken decades to design and properly build. What is not to love..? This car is a rocket ship. My mom drove one of these in the late 50’s. Thank you for this video. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

You're welcome!! We're so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@John_Morrison]

That is truly awesome, best thing I've seen in months. The engineering is top notch! I would love to pull in to a service station and ask them to check the oil. (as if they even did anymore) Or better yet a classic english car mechanic who doesn't know about that car.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Haha..thank you for watching..glad you liked it!!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

I love Bugeye Sprites, and this is just too much fun! Who needs a stinkin' Cobra?!😂 I would like to see it with custom offset/width wire wheels to make it even more of a sleeper in profile! That being said, it's still awesome! Thanks, Nicole!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you so much for watching..we're glad you enjoyed it!!

[@henrikcarlsen1881]

This was a good one. The car, the chemistry and the outfit. All great.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

We're so glad you enjoyed it..thanks so much for watching!!

[@BC-ni3sk]

This is like a skateboard with a rocket! Big dude and a huge engine. The best part maybe is Nicole laughing.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you liked it..thank you for watching!!

[@sportswolf1]

What a great car but the best part for me was the chemistry between the two of you. I'm still laughing. This is my favorite video this week.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Wow, thank you!

[@craigr13666]

I'm on my lunch break. And this popped up on my recent uploads. You just made my day, because I had a thought this morning, wondering when there might be a now episode of Detour! 😁😄😃

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thanks for watching!!

[@terencegillespie6675]

DAMN! . What a wow project and such a nice work of art. Early 60’s high school… there was this huge guy and he had a midget Healy Sprite. I saw him driving it several times and then it was always just parked on the lawn at his parents home. Mind games. There are no small fun cars now. Fabulous car. Super project. So sneaky. WOW! Nice vid, too.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thanks so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@impslap7620]

Another great feature. The most impressive thing is the fact it was so thoroughly and lovingly engineered. On the launch it looks like it just grabs and scoots so some serious thought must have been put into the setup. I'm also a fan of the exhaust. Quiet to not be obnoxious and loud when the mood strikes.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Well said..thanks so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed!!

[@campbellpaul]

Great video! I always wanted an Austin Healy Sprite. Thanks for the upload, Nicole!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

You're welcome..thanks for watching!!

[@scooterbob4432]

My high school dream car. Now retired, the only Sprite I have is the soda pop.

[@campbellpaul]

@@scooterbob4432 We both live in an indifferent world, Bob!

[@scooterbob4432]

@@campbellpaul Sprite is my wife's favorite drink, Paul. She wouldn't believe me that there was once upon a time a sportscar named Sprite until I showed her the picture. She said it looks like an ugly frog.

[@lewismocaby3646]

Awesome,absolutely awesome!!! My grandparents had 4 bugeye Sprites until about 20 years ago when they moved to my great grandparents farm and decided it was time to downsize. I really didn’t get the appeal of these cars, having been at the Dragstrip since the age of 6 mos. old but in recent years I’m starting to understand. Definitely a cool platform to build from,great video.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thanks for sharing. We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@The_Repair_Shop]

I love your laugh when you did that burn out. Pure joy

[@aaaaaaab11]

Beautiful car love the Hemi.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you for watching!! We're glad you enjoyed it!!

[@DC-mj4lx]

Another awesome episode! You have a great knack for telling the story, not just a car review or screaming drive. Thank you so much to you and your team. I also enjoy that you always treat the owners and their cars with such respect.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Much appreciated! Thanks so much for the kind review!!

[@David-dd7qe]

As always great content! Love the car and your look! Should have left the scarf trail behind in the wind a couple of feet! Awesome family build!

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thanks for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!

[@harryshaw3760]

Like Isadora Duncan ???

[@carstenrehder4531]

Badassed Dad ever ! And holy moly, what a cool car, he and his sons, created. Im stunned.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Glad you liked it!! Thanks for watching!!

[@johnnygavita]

He's been so alert the whole time. He doesn't let loose very often.

[@43JohnDeere]

I suspect many are out there trying to dream up a car to build just so they can be featured on your channel....the turbocharged Subaru VW Bug engineer guy is still the number one most hilarious reaction to your driving...Hemi Sprite guy is probably the most calm so far. Soon you could have a compilation video of terrified reactions.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you for watching..much appreciated!!

[@Motor-City-Mike]

That's a new one - Most Bugeye/V8 conversions I've seen over the years were small block Fords - narrow and light, easiest to get in place. I've seen one with a small block Chevy, but the difference in weight made the driveability pretty poor. But this is the first large displacement, large V8 I've seen in a Bugeye... Go Healy go!!!

[@edwardlongshanks827]

My dad owned an Austin-Healey 100-4 while he was working at Ford Canada in Windsor in the late '50s. After holing a piston in the original engine during a race and having copy of Hot Rod Magazine with an article which detailed the conversion, he put a Chevy 265 V8 in it with a manual transmission equipped with electric overdrive. He sold the car to pay for his and my mom's wedding and honeymoon in '59.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@vehdynam]

What an amazing well designed , well built car. Many thanks for showing us.

[@NicoleJohnsonsDetour]

Our pleasure! Thank you for watching!!