The 215 V8 Bugeye Sprite Goes Like Stink!

A short video displaying the 215 V8 Bugeye's acceleration and braking abilities.
Only one day left on the auction at BringaTrailer.com! Tune in at bringatrailer....
This 1960 Mk I Sprite features an aluminum Oldsmobile 215 V8 from a '61-63 F-85 with the Power Pack option making 185 horses. Fully refurbished and turn-key, ready to go. More info at travelingwithtools.com

[@user-ke8if6ri9r]

I was 18 when I moved to Phoenix in 1980. I worked with a local guy whose brother owned a TR6. He worked at a place that was towing,scrapping, salvage and used parts. The TR had an engine fire and was abandoned on the side of the highway. Charlie's brother restored the car. The new engine?. A Buick 215 V8 with a 5 speed. What was impressive was the two small 4 bbl aluminum intake manifold.. It was a Mickey Thompson speed part. That car was reai desert runner.

[@Thomas63r2]

Glorious sounds from 215 cubes!

[@billmcgarry3300]

Nothing like the torque and song of a V8! As a young man I had a 327 Corvette engine in my Austin Healey 100, then a 350 Chevy in my ‘82 GMC S15 (total giggle :) and now a Ford 289 in my ‘67 Sunbeam Tiger…the growl and the Big push in the back is so much fun!

[@josephp3403]

Please Please PLEASE more videos

[@tomsmith2209]

Sounds sweet as well.

[@caly5328]

I put a sbc 383ci into my bugeye Box frame all the front suspension is redone with Frontline Mgb calipers and spitfire rotors Ford 8.8 rear Th350 trans Looks stock except for the 10 inch cragars and the fiberglass reversed hood scoop

[@glb5053]

Beautiful car. I always wanted an Alpine myself but I appreciate the bugeyes too.

[@mundanestuff]

The speed limit sign was a blur, lol. Nice ride, sounds amazing, interior looks good. Like the finish on the windscreen too, that top polished edge is slick.

[@heinrichthumling5471]

Please more informations and a video about building the frog….

[@kevincruz4045]

:09 to :015 SWEET JESUS!!!

[@peterbonnez]

That will be a lot of fun, I hope the throttle pedal has a long travel!! A pal has a Frog Eye with an old 6 cyl Jeep engine. 2.5 lite I believe. It fits like a glove.

[@johnpearson492]

That sounds really interesting. Though at 2.5L it is probably the 4 cylinder engine that was found in 80s and 90s Cherokees and Wranglers.

[@peterbonnez]

@@johnpearson492 It's a six cyl. I could be wrong on 2.5. Maybe 2.4 or 2.6 with triple SU's. I believe it's a Jeep engine from the late '40's. It's a long stroke engine, so quite short block. I did some research on the engine some years back, but forget the exact details. The owner painted the engine in typical Austin Healey light green so it looked as if it belonged in there. ----- Found it. Jeep Jeepster L161 Lightning I6 2638 cc - 161 CID

[@johnpearson492]

@@peterbonnez Ah, very old Jeep engine. That does sound super neat, I wonder if it's a Willis Tornado 6 cylinder.

[@peterbonnez]

@@johnpearson492 I'm sure if you Google the car you might find pix of it..

[@Toxic2T]

3rd gear tire squeal @ 0:10

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

Is that one of the early Buick/Oldsmobile engines that Land Rover(?) bought the rights from GM? It was a great engine, design and size( perfect fit for a Vega).

[@nicholasagnew2792]

yep

[@Epik-hm8ws]

Yep, the Vega could have been so great. Good looking and well driving. But ended up being just an incredible rust bucket with an instantly melting engine... Pinto was a Disaster too. Dusters and Gremlins were really the better alternatives. Especially the 340 Dusters.

[@glb5053]

@@Epik-hm8ws I know they had their issues as well but don't forget the Cosworth Vegas.

[@loboheeler]

You don't just drop in much more powerful engines into a Sprite/Midget. It takes front frame strengthening, a stronger real axle, and often footwell modifications. I had one with a modified Volvo B-18 engine and Chevy II rear. 140 MPH capable, but scary over 90 MPH on some roads.

[@alfaradbean]

More info!

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Sounds lovely but that engine must equal about a third of the total mass so I hope you've found a way to slow it down.

[@actontreadway1168]

I think he put brakes on it. You can see him moving his foot towards the middle of the pedal box several times during the run. Could have been a nervous twitch.

[@actontreadway1168]

I always take my hands off the wheel when I brake, as well. I mean, it's in God's hands anyway, better to show your faith.