The Ultimate JDM Powered Sprite - Driving The Craziest, Most Incredible Austin Healey Ever

Putting a 1990s Japanese Engine in a 1960's classic car. This Austin Healey Frog Eye / Bug Eye Sprite now has 160hp compared to the 40hp original, it is powered by a Toyota 4A-GE, 20 valve engine from the Levin A111. It revs to 7800rpm.. This project has some incredible details as well as original patina.
Huge thanks to James for having let me loose in it. Follow his Instagram : @wheelynutz

[@MrSharpe95]

I love classic cars being restored but I also love it when someone does something crazy like this 😁

[@Compo67]

Love that Sprite… more extreme than mine, but we have a group who have modified Sprites & MG Midgets with Rover K-Series and Ford Zetec engines. All running over 100bhp and some as high as 200bhp and beyond! Mine called PYG is running 200bhp.

[@jameswells6003]

I've had thoughts of a Midget with either the 160 VVC or 1.8T K series engines, would be great fun!

[@johnandrews3568]

I've wondered if it's possible to put a modded VW 1.8T or 2.0T into a sprite or similar.

[@Compo67]

@@johnandrews3568 I guess anything is possible John, just it’s not the recognised mod for these cars unlike the K / Z engines without major modification to the chasis. We’ve seen even V8 & V6s installed but I guess a lot of chassis alterations for those!

[@jiveturkey9993]

@@Compo67 200 horsepower in a midget sound more than enough.

[@Compo67]

@@jiveturkey9993 I would agree😁 power is nothing without control! Controlling it all is the challenge but also where the fun starts.

[@alanmcclelland5245]

Warching this from Canada, made my first day of the New Year. Might just sell my XK8 to start a project like this. Lucky boy, enjoy.

[@benharrison2391]

The detailing in that car is exceptional - very nice work. I just don't fit into a Sprite, but I can certainly appreciate this project. Years ago I had a friend who drove a bugeye sprite with a Chevy v8 - I thought it was dangerous! My daily driver is a 1984 RX-7 , quite a bit bigger car and fits me perfectly. Nine years ago I installed a Skyline RB20 straight six and trans, mostly stock and a bit over 200 HP. Seems to be the perfect combination. I told a friend that stoplight drag racing is childish and immature, but if a guy pulls up next to you in a BMW - well you just do what you have to do.

[@piuthemagicman]

that's so cool - and true the RX7 shines on curvy roads not on 1/4 mile! :) great choice of engine.

[@jeffreysalzman1497]

What a gorgeous car and that patina, wow! I love the whine of the gears, that puts it over the top for me.

[@MrRoyck10]

Epic, this is the route to go in order to attain driving purity without bleeding off your money to car manufacturers. Kit cars and retro mods offers more than the conventional new cars that cost so much. I really love this car!!!

[@alexcoomes6326]

This is utterly bonkers (in a good way) as a Midget owner myself that is terrifying enough to drive at normal road speeds; this set-up must be mind-blowing! I salute the owner for such a contraption it is in the league of Binky.

[@jiveturkey9993]

I sat in one of those once at a car auction. I could not believe how that micro car on the outside fit me like a glove on the inside. That thing fit me better than any car ive ever sat in.

[@alexcoomes6326]

@@jiveturkey9993 Could not agree more when I get into my Midget it fits me like a glove and I am 6ft tall - Getting out is a little more tricky though...

[@ihavewaited90daystochangem51]

@@alexcoomes6326 Why did anyone think that "midget" is a good name for a car? "When i get into my midget it fits me like a glove" sounds so effing wrong 🤣

[@mixdiver]

@@ihavewaited90daystochangem51 I totally agree I don’t know how MG came up with the name but will do some research - it was probably a committee that came up with it and they could not make it close to the B as they did not want any confusion that’s all I can think of I am afraid.

[@autoavids]

The little details like the shifter, horn and handles really put it in a class of it's own. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Number27]

Exactly what I think too.. just love the attention to detail!!

[@EconoboxGarage]

Love that you've been able to drive this Sprite. As wild as it is I think it stays fairly close to its roots... "something a chap could keep in his cycle shed" (Donald Healey)!

[@Number27]

Hey chap, hope all good! Happy new year!

[@allergictowoke]

I’d have much more fun in this on the road or track over 99% of the current crop of super and hyper cars, I think you would feel every bit of the road and every camber when driving this Looks excellent, great build 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@anthonymurphy7875]

Absolutely brilliant review Jack, what a sound! felt every pothole 👍🏼

[@simonwoodward438]

That really is truly amazing. More videos like this, I just love stuff like this.

[@bugattieb110ss]

You won't get this at Harry's Garage! Bloke's a waste of time with his videos nowadays. Complete badge snob.

[@davidmoody2797]

I mostly find when other channels show subscribers cars the owners are often self obsessed and showing off. This dude, however, is just delighted to have a beast of a machine to call his own ! Really loved this video. Happy New Year Buddy.

[@fredrikvanlienden6749]

I LOVE IT! Absolutely bonkers little car with a patina to die for and it just oozes character! Thanks for sharing!

[@edgworth]

Epic! what an brilliant homage to the Sprite. Brilliantly executed and i can feel the excitement from your driving reaction. Well done to the owner.

[@otsef1946]

Bonkers, mad,crazy,I love it. Well done James. Happy New year Jack

[@chrisgarside7974]

Awesome, truly Awesome ! Just really pleased Cars such as this are being built.

[@itzajdmting]

What a beautiful build, hats off to you James. I had a similar build in mind different cars and blocks but same principles. The sound is something else mate, great choice of block.

[@nicwilson89]

This is a work of art Just mentioned VTEC, I can't imagine how insane this would have been with a B or K series in it haha Good lord, the noise this thing makes is sublime

[@romka_ind]

4A-GE has vtec but it is called VVT

[@sylviabruinewoud2985]

The sound was perfect. Both TR and Jack. Great video!

[@watchingitallhere]

Great workmanship you can tell someone really put effort in. Proper sorted mate love it.

[@kevinmccarley7121]

Great video and a really fantastic car! I have always loved the combination of a classic exterior and modern mechanicals, and the patina .... I thought I'd hate it but its really awesome! Thanks for posting!

[@jamespink4202]

What fun!!! Great car, I love Sprites with silly engines. A friend had one with a 1750 Alfa motor. Superb!

[@bugman043]

great vid, I have wanted to see this video for years, I'm a huge fan of Pipey's builds, his etype was insane but he had other builds too, a 70's audi with a w8 and a mk1 or mk2 golf on a beetle floor pan with a 13b, the man definitely thinks outside the box! its great seeing these incredible builds, would love to see the sprite in the flesh sometime, Fair play to James for showing it

[@cozza819]

What a refreshing build and video! Absolutely love the pairing

[@BahnstormerUK]

Love this car , and Pipey's E-Type - absolutely awesome machines !

[@4pevans]

Omg what a treat!!! That was fabulous! Thank you both!

[@smart3k]

What a way to end the year, that thing is just pure brilliant! Happy new year mate!

[@zimbarbaluba]

James is a great lad too, his enthusiasm is infectious. Can't wait to see this in the metal

[@Jonoponomono]

One persons vision of their perfect car is always the best. Usually crazy and horribly flawed but awesome! I love this car.

[@NoconesGarage]

Fantastic sprite and an entertaining video. Your joy driving and experiencing the car really came through. Glad your video was suggested to me. I have a Widebody 1978 Midget with a 13B and custom pushrod suspension that if you're ever across the pond in the states you can take for a Rip.

[@bradcrossman5068]

Madness! Well done James and thanks Jack😃

[@aogrady]

Wow! What a amazing build! Absolutely love this!!

[@sportzntouring]

What a cool little car! Absolutely mental! Great video Jack!!

[@denisvogel5155]

Definitely not the Sprite of my youth. I can't remember the last time I grinned all the way through a a car video. Thanks very much for the New Year's treat!

[@LivingMyBoostLife]

Love it, it's in good hands and will just keep progressing with James as the owner.

[@miamimo70]

Happy New year mate, onwards n upwards for the channel!

[@malcdellow]

Love it. Love the philosophy behind it. Retro cars as they should be.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

This Week with Cars taught me what this car is, Number 27 taught me this is what I need.

[@crunch3rYouTube]

I had a 70 MGBGT I would have LOVED to have that engine! This car is amazing! Thx for vid bro!

[@Missed_Apex_GT]

I’ve known James for years…great lad and very very good car builder

[@ThePhilcuk]

That looks like superb fun!

[@irvb9881]

What a great car! Loving the eclectic mix on the channel 👍🏻

[@Number27]

Rally glad Irv.. it’s a bit of a weird mix. Basically just anything I’m into!!

[@maxheadroom7687]

Amazing car and as a reviewer you are fantastic mate, thanks so much for making this video.! Subbed👍🇬🇧🇦🇺😎🏁

[@user-yu6px4xp1u]

The Mk1 golf you did was still my favorite build....loved it

[@twitteriscrap7995]

The world needs more one offs like this. Some excellent faces pulled during acceleration Jack ;@)

[@2702simmo]

Love the looks and the whole concept of it Mental

[@user-vk8uu9nv7n18]

I love Sprite!!! You did great job.Thanks uploading.from Japan.

[@Number27]

Thank you and a big wave to Japan 🇯🇵 !!!

[@TheRetroRides]

This is a fabulous little thing that Pipey and Stolton Engineering built. James is a great guy with his own great builds, so glad he is now the owner of it :D (also has a very cool hoodie on).

[@donnerblitzen1388]

Haven't watched this yet and I already know I am going to appreciate this immensely! I love British cars for their looks, but also enjoy JDM reliability as well. A combination of the two, that is pure petrolhead joy! Thanks from America - Texas even! I would so enjoy getting a BMC mini shell(hopefully not rusted) and do an engine and drivetrain swap to help "modernize" it a bit. Also, you got me as a new sub too!

[@chrislotuscortina7626]

Loved the sound off it ❤

[@Boric78]

Mental - made me smile the whole way through. Thank god people still do this kind of thing. More I say...........

[@dubiousf00d]

Bonkers indeed! Looks and sounds like loads of fun!!

[@ryanmccormick2150]

That car is absolutely awesome!! I’d only change one thing about it…… I’d change the name on v5 to my name .

[@liamtownshend7726]

I want it ! Great vid jack happy new year love the channel mate .

[@rutigerescobar3827]

My father bought a 61 Austin Healey 2 seater in 63, swapped a small block Chevrolet v8 into it in roughly 69-70. And built and swapped many motors into it over the years until he finally sold it in the mid 90's. That car started my car life, which turned towards the Japanese style in my early life (I'm 40) I've had many swapped hondas, but a machine like this holds a special place in my heart. Well done.

[@SoldierOfFortune900]

The sound is awesome

[@phil920]

Excellent video !!! Not of fan of classics cars because not particularly efficient most of the time but this one god, brilliant !!!

[@Shady-Shane]

the stop watches are brilliant, along with the seats,plumbing and patina this could be a steam punk time machine.

[@JDMJOE]

Absolutely beautiful beast of a car!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@davidsgarage]

Clicked the like button within the first few seconds.. this is awesome!!

[@neilwilkinson2538]

Wicked video . Really cool little car , looks a lot of fun

[@MrJearley6]

Thank you for this video! This is nice!!

[@quadturbov8]

What a hoot! Love cars like this, a real presence and personality, not like 1000 other meticulously restored clones.

[@TM-on4jl]

Wow.....What a car.....love these crazy motor videos...

[@TomsJunkyard]

Love this car. Max respect to owner James for letting you give it The Beanz! Builder Pipey Mcgraw is an artist - every one of his machines is fabulous. Obviously, I love this car as a frogeye. But I do particularly like Pipey's VW K70.

[@hynekschreiber241]

The sound of the 4age and the gearbox is just a symphony

[@jakespeed63]

Instantly recognized the shift knob, as one created by my mate Paul over at Coltech Classics Workshop. Indeed, this little monster is bonkers. will have to get all the details, from Paul, when he comes to visit, in February. Cheers! JT: Orlando, FLA

[@PaulLeitnerWise]

I had a massive smile on my face for the entire episode.

[@erik61801]

that interior is awesome, i really like the lap time stopwatch contraption. a legit thing from back in the day i imagine.

[@ronwalsh]

Great to see the old cars staying on the road. Much better than them rotting away in a shed somewhere. Now if I could find a sequential shift type 9, I would be a happy man.

[@007SS40]

Just friggin' awesome!! I would LOVE to drive it!!! Beautiful car with a special soul of its own!!

[@napoliansolo7865]

I love the rust, the paint and the look of the car! 0:49. This is what a British motor car should be. Thanks for sharing this.

[@alexisbog138]

Happy new year from Japan! Just Oh my goodness...! What a wonderful combination! It's like a supercar. Is my one of favorite car an engine in Japan? It's like a dream! It's completely different from the common combination of old bugs and Subaru. I was really impressed! You probably had a hard time setting up. It's a great car. congratulation!!! In Japan, engine swap is not easy to strict vehicle inspection system and insurance problems. I envy you! Have a nice new year days with your family and friends. and enjoy your car life! 👍👍👍 Thank you Arigato!! PS, If you have a chance, please try MG next time! :))

[@tim205Mi]

Great car! Had an MG Midget for years with many A series and gearbox iterations……. Ended up with a Ford engine/gearbox in the end…. An absolute hoot! will do another one day… keep the vids coming….👍👍

[@busterboy7505]

What a little beast 🐆 Quick but not quite, gearbox screams like my wife when I’ve done something wrong 😑, great video Jack,👍👍 happy new year.

[@bretkaiser7355]

A visual, auditory, and physical assault on the senses. Also super cool. Awesome review, Jack! Hope you are well! Bret

[@Number27]

Thank you Bret and happy new year to you buddy!!

[@organiccold]

Oh this is a gem. Love that crazy beast :)

[@duncanmartin2626]

What a loony brilliant car. Saw it at the Gathering in 2021, and it's just sooo cool.

[@alastairwatson3201]

Your best video ever, by far!

[@missinglink9973]

love the visceral analog feeling cars like this give you.... Like my 1972 Datsun 240z with header and straight pipe out the rear. The noise is glorious and really gets your heart pumping!!!!

[@greyguy.960]

Great look car you have, have you done anything to the engine as I found a 240z from the era very slow indeed. Perfect for cruising thou :∆

[@missinglink9973]

@@greyguy.960 Just a ceramic coated header and a straight pipe . It sounds fast but isnt really. But I love cruising in it

[@greyguy.960]

@@missinglink9973 Thats what it's about?

[@rcaddictgarage]

Sweet car review👍

[@KS-id2ld]

I love a bug eyed sprite. Just great lil cars, gotta be so much fun to drive with that set up. Cheers, nice car!

[@fancybobbybob]

Thanks James!

[@christiantheimprovguy1769]

That is the most genius paint job ever!

[@theriderdtm8650]

Awesome ❗👊🏻 Loving it❗

[@bzilla1090]

This thing is completely insane lol..looks fun as hell

[@johnnysmith863]

Fantastic! If ever there was a car that needed a roll bar, though..! My Midget already has a Type-9 5-speed 'box but only a stage 2 1500 engine. Could do with a few more ponies!

[@SteveNoolan]

I had a Bug eyed Sprite in the early 1970's which had some extreme mods to the A-series engine when I bought it. After replacing 4 sets of rings in 6 months, I replaced the motor with a 1400 cc Mitsubishi Saturn engine. This totally transformed the car, powerful, economical and reliable. Went like cut snake and surprised quite a few people.

[@blnokc6793]

That's crazy! I love it!

[@johncunningham4820]

That Engine into That Car is approximately the same as putting an LS-7 into a Nissan Silvia or better yet Bluebird . Yes , it's proper Bonkers . What a NOISE .

[@superseven7947]

I'm in love 😍😍 coolest little classic 👍

[@nedkelly4999]

I love that crazy little thing 👌🏼

[@drakeorion94]

Bonkers! I love it! For a second i thought i found Steve Martin's youtube car review channel!

[@wambugumassive]

The best kind of "restoration" (How did I miss this video?)

[@indyjones1135]

What an absolute weapon! I'm in love.

[@scalecrawlnl]

Cool review, awesome looks and excellent sound, intake 'gurgle' (really technical) is very enticing :-)

[@ScuderiaDiMarcello]

Wow, what a car and it is sounding so good.

[@Number27]

Grazie Marcello!!

[@BackSeatHump]

Exhilarating even from where I'm sitting!

[@nickhaslam3253]

That is a machine. Stunning