Why I love this car even more than my Ferrari! Austin Healey Sprite Bug Eye

It has been a long journey with Fred, my Austin Healey Sprite.. but finally after the engine has been rebuilt for the second time he is ready to be used again! but why do I like this car even more than my Ferrari?

[@richardwollocombe6793]

That was 11.52 minutes of someone demonstrating and explaining why we pour our heart and soul into these old cars. Magic 😁

[@simes205]

Brill, love an impractical British sports car especially on a rainy day. What fun! The FE Sprite is such a charming little thing.

[@ClellBiggs]

I can only imagine what the people passing you on the road were thinking. lol

[@bandad52]

So pleased to see Fred again. My first Sprite journey was 70 miles in the rain with the roof off (but I did have wipers!). There is no better way to connect with life, nature, and insects! Looking forward to lots of updates on your handling mods.

[@lascm5237]

Superb - just like all old British sports cars, we people who love ‘em have great difficulty explaining why to those who don’t, including my missus 😁

[@2Truth2you]

Old British sports cars retain their voluptuous curves and stunning good looks better than missuses do. Also they're more fun to play with.

[@petescarport]

They are like a go cart for grown ups. My 63 sprite is insane. Been building on my channel and now has a race cam that chops so loud.

[@navarredr]

My Dad owned one in the mid 60s. He loved that car and spoke fondly of how he drove it across the US and was happily soaked via many a thunderstorm.

[@madmikefrog]

I can say, I totally agree, I restored my frogeye in the 90's and still have the car, this winter I am upgrading the engine to 1098 and adding disc brakes, there never a dull moment with them

[@flyingtiger4991]

hahaha ! i literally laughed hysterically for 2 minutes 24 seconds straight . hahaha ! what an absolute joy ...

[@anthonybrand6137]

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that give us so much pleasure........as evidenced by the huge smile on your face during this video! For me, this brings back happy memories of being given regular lifts to college in a pale blue frog Eyed Sprite (top down of course!), which was owned by one of the Senior Engineers at the Consultancy where I was workingat the time . Happy days!!😊👍😊

[@wadehampton4499]

Many years ago, I drove my 1947 MG TC from the office in Southampton to my home mid-way between Southampton and Portsmouth. Unwisely, whilst undertaking a "rolling restoration" I had removed the windscreen, replacing it with a single "Brooklands" Aero Screen. For the whole of the 12 miles, the heavens opened and I was completely soaked. When I got home and climbed out of the car, the business suit I had been wearing must have weighed 40 lbs. Obligingly, my mother hung it on a hanger to dry in the outside loo which also contained the ancient heating boiler and the vast hot water tank (consequently, it was always lovely and warm) When I went to retrieve it a day or so later, it had shrunk so much, it could have fitted a 10 year old ! Happy days indeed....

[@Number27]

Ha!! Lovey memories!!!

[@johnireland1629]

Great video...loved it in the rain...and you seemed to be having a great time. Fred is a true keeper because it ties you to the roots of what this is all about.

[@brendanburke6138]

You are a true enthusiast. Luv the history of the car. Looking forward to the up coming vlogs on this classic.

[@davidorama6690]

No man has ever giggled as much in an open topped car in the rain. 😜👍

[@MC-ld4dy]

Brilliant stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@911Evolution]

Jack, you are an absolute nutcase! I love it!! Keep up the good work!

[@lonewarrior1543]

Thanks mate!...we all needed that laugh...you are a classic....keep building those numbers....you truly deserve it!

[@Number27]

Thanks k you fella!!

[@ryanmccormick2150]

Fred is a special thing! I love the green colour of the interior and the looks of the car, looking forward to seeing what's happening with InfluEnzo Jack 🙂👍

[@donsohn12]

Your passion is contagious!

[@Number27]

Thank you Jon!!

[@mopedwilf2006]

Dude totally agree with loving that little bug eyed beast Lol. Classics are a labour of love not just a form of transport ❤️ . It's become very expensive to own one in modern times so great to see people still willing to eat beans all week so they can own one 👍😎

[@steffydog]

Always a fab video, keep smiling #27, glad to see Fred . . .

[@Jonoponomono]

An excellent insight. I cannot believe you picked it up in those conditions....

[@coopers4491]

Had a lotus a while ago and got bl..dy soaked. Love these little sports cars !!!! Great content.....STAY SAFE 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@BahnstormerUK]

Another good vid sir , keep them coming !

[@RickCT2000]

Looked like you were crossing the channel is a tiny boat during that crazy rain...so wet, cloudy and rolly-bouncy!

[@Rob.Coleman]

Quite possibly one of the greatest videos I've watched this year, but obviously for all the wrong reasons! You're a brave man, there's a fine line between bravery and lunacy. I'll let you decide which side of the line you're on. Thanks for the laughter, brilliant!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, good job you have a sense of humour driving in such conditions.

[@JJHurst]

Brilliant madness as always , Triumph GT6 next for me, So I really do get it, there’s something fun about feeling like you’re being dragged down the road in a bucket...😏

[@grahamnutt8958]

Just make sure it isn't a GT Sick. Good luck 👍

[@alangilfether2899]

owned a gt6 in my 20s im now 62 still brings back great memories

[@British99]

The drive in the rain reminds me of a day driving near Salisbury, when I got absolutely drenched driving my home built three wheeler special. No soft top, no heating, and although it had a windscreen wiper, it didn’t make a lot of difference in the torrential rain. I think I’ll stick to my Porsche Cayman!

[@waynester71]

What a lovely little car.. driven in ‘oh so predictable’ British weather.. it makes me reminisce about my previous TVRs..

[@Number27]

Thank you buddy.. yet to own a TVR but will happen one day!

[@michaelfoster7521]

I drove my Jaguar D Type replica from the Belgium F1 to Coventry non stop and it rained from the minute we left to us getting home. I actually nearly cried at Oxford

[@petrjerabek7641]

Fred is so nice little car, great you enjoy it so much. And this video also reminds or well explains me, why i love driving my old Elan so much... Probably one day, car manufacturers re-think how to design a car to go fairly slowly and yet be so much involving in the driving process. Looking forward for any next video, cheers!

[@n3307v]

Looks like a hoot to drive. Great video as always.

[@eze8970]

Great footage Jack, enjoy those roads!

[@p.j.mcdonough6710]

Absolutely love the video! I can relate...I owned a ‘64 Triumph Spitfire while in college in the ‘80’s..it was slow and could get frightening at the limits, but it was sooo much fun to drive. I wish I had that car back!

[@NH00531]

This video just proves that car enthusiasm has absolutely nothing to do with how much the car costs, how new it is or what colour it has been wrapped in! Brilliant. 👍

[@christophergavin9188]

One of the best videos. A lot of fun - for us, at least!

[@Number27]

Thank Chris.. must do your Giulia soon!!

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

Looks like bags of fun Jack but not that journey in the rain,that looked pure agony!

[@madpadi]

Fred will be an absolute gem when you just do those simple modifications Looking forward to seeing the story 👍

[@davldcooksey4137]

Looks great fun to drive, 👍👍👍👍.

[@Gozar111]

Cool car! Looking forward to the Ferrari again!

[@ewanturner4381]

God, I love this car. Your journey home was hilarious (to me at least :)) and had me laughing out loud. looking fwd. to move vids on him!

[@grahamnutt8958]

I totally understand your passion. As a fellow owner of a British Classic - also from the same era; albeit mine is a later verson from the one that was originally released - sentiments are clearly on a par with mine. High maintenance, ongoing issues - but by heck you gotta love them 🇬🇧. Happy motoring Jack 👍

[@michels2358]

Nut case ... I loved the slow Mo with the truck . Lol

[@nigel9843]

Great to see Fred the Frogeye. Basically the Frogeye had engine and suspension from the Morris Minor not known for great handling , but a great fun basic car

[@neilfromdownunder9204]

Ain't driving in the rain in an open top grand...😁 40 odd years ago I had an MGB & before going to work one day I took the soft top off & left it home as it was such a beautiful day & yes it seemed like a good idea at the time...those days I was working as a technician & that afternoon I took the boss out with me to look at a job & when driving back to the office the sky suddenly went black & it started to rain. Well that rain turned into something like a tropical downpour & as it was now late afternoon we got stuck trying to get onto a main road with no traffic lights in peak hour traffic & there we sat in the downpour for about 5 minutes which felt more like 5 hours at the time. Well we finally got going & while my windscreen wipers were working, you really needed wipers on the inside to clear all the water too...by the time we got back to the office, not only were we fully soaked through, the car had about 2 inches of water sloshing around the floor of the car as well!! Thankfully my boss was a bit of a petrol head who used to do hill climbs & mud driving so he could see the funny side of what just happened otherwise I might have been looking for a new job, but never again did I leave the soft top at home!!...😁

[@bretkaiser7355]

I had an MG Midget when I was 16. My favorite next to my Datsun 280Z (both long gone). Good video!

[@charlesbadasha1648]

Get some RainX on your windscreen. The rain just blows away at around 40mph, no need for wipers. Love seeing these cars. Great to learn how to handle a car, not enough power to get you into mega trouble, you can go around roundabouts with the tail out. Made my day seeing this.

[@happyknightinternationalma116]

Seeing the green interior against a white body gave me an idea. I really like that shade of green, I’ve stripped down a 1/18 Burago e type jag. It’s going to be old English white with a green and black interior. Thanks for the idea Jack 👍 I’ve not seen Fred before, and looking forward to future updates.

[@guywilson187]

Alot of folk might struggle to grasp how this could be more fun than a Ferrari but I get it. A classic like this, particularly one so small and agile, allows the driver to use more of the available performance than more powerful, faster cars. Nice one. Look forward to more on your stable.

[@tim205Mi]

You know what I totally relate! I’ve owned over 60 cars of all types and I had a Midget for a lot of years, more than any of my cars, ! Had many engines etc.... finally having a Ford cross flow... great great car...I almost bought another the other day and will do soon.... BUT the 205’s are taking pride of place at mo... won’t get rid of them but will add a midge..... Frogeyes are so cool...look forward to watching Fred! Along with your others.... great channel!

[@john2478]

I had a red frogeye back in the 1960's when I was a student and during my first job. It was great fun. Mine ended up with a Cooper spec engine and uprated dampers and rose jointed bars to locate the back axle. The quarter elliptical springs weaken with age and I had mine rebuilt at the local blacksmith's. My car was a bit pricy at £260. By the end the half shafts needed replacement as one twisted off near the diff. The fuel pump was not the most reliable. I do remember going through the Dartford tunnel and the pump stopped working mid way though with 2 way traffic. It was a memorable moment when I had to leap out open the bonnet and give the pump a clout to get it back into life.

[@Number27]

Ha!! They work é even worse with modern fuels. I had to put an electric one on Fred! Thanks for watching John!

[@tucker9162]

You need goggles or a motorcycle helmet for when it rains matey

[@Sameor]

Absolute bonkers driving in the rain :D

[@chuckhpnwx]

Haven't been keeping up very well, but it made my day to see you and Fred today.

[@Number27]

Sorry to hear that.. hope things improve for you buddy!!

[@manofweed1]

'Less scuttle shake than my 308' ?..........My childhood dream's been shattered !!

[@Number27]

308 gts does have terrible scuttle shake but you only notice on bumpy roads

[@onnokonemann9326]

Nothing beats a spridget 👍🏻

[@davidcollin7466]

a brilliant video as always im just getting into roadsters and had a mx5 mk3 but it was so rusty underneath traded in for a mr2 mk3 roadster its just brilliant with the roof down light rear wheel drive engine at the back sporty exhaust nothing better !

[@martinclapton2724]

Classic car motoring love it. Reminds me of my 2nd car, a Mini Cooper look -a- like with a 1380cc A series 731 camshaft , 12G940 ( 11 stud) head and twin SU carbs. ( CRF848A ) I think? Fastest accelerating car I had in certain speed ranges. Your car now having a gearbox swap has eliminated the whining noise so typical then . Great stuff keep her going . Look great on Miniltes!

[@Saboda53]

I just hope I don’t have the misfortune of piloting an oncoming car the next time you drive in a fierce rain with no windshield, no wipers and no goggles so that you can’t see. Maybe next time you can drive in the dark of night with no lights! Won’t that be a blast!

[@grayfool]

I worked with a friend in '76 to stuff a 1275 engine in a MkI Midget. It had a nodded cam, twin SUs, a very loud exhaust system with a decent manifold, and the four speed box. It was used mainly for hill climbs. The thing is though, we took it out at every opportunity because it was such a riot on open roads. It had side screens and most of a roof so was a little more usable than Fred. I totally get why you love him.

[@geoffmarsh7986]

Great stuff! Brave man picking up Fred (The Frog) on such a dreadful day, good man. Presume, like I do sometimes, you forgot your medication early morning and just went for it.

[@superseven7947]

Little simple sports cars are the most fun and most smiles per mile 😊

[@johnnysmith863]

Haha, excellent. Reminds me of my MG Midget - my first car and daily driver for 9 years (including Scottish winters)! I still have it... must get the old thing out of storage and back on the road! Mine has a bored-out 1500 engine and Ford Type-9 5 speed 'box. Every journey is an event... Folk just don't understand!

[@robertsanchez2548]

That car is so beautiful

[@TM-on4jl]

Brilliant ..Enjoying your channel number 27...

[@Number27]

Thanks buddy!

[@TM-on4jl]

@@Number27 keep them rolling...

[@tombell7670]

I had to sell my Bugeye back in February as it trying to set itself on fire at numerous times, even after two carb rebuilds so it had to go. Great little cars but unfortunately most parts to keep it on the road were outsourced and made in China and the quality was appalling, with these parts sourced from Healey Specialists failing soon after fitment or faulty straight out of the box, so just sticking with my S1 Elise for now. Your bug looks and sounds amazing, well done Sir.

[@JosephHowes2003]

It started raining heavily once last year when I was driving my topless Bugeye hotrod. It was a lot of fun.

[@Retrobeemer]

Slow cars fast are always way more fun. That and the simplicity, along with the stylish aesthetics, are why I love cars like this and my 1602. Modern cars just do nothing for me by comparison. Look forward to seeing more of Fred.

[@global_nomad.]

I want to call you a fool...but cannot quite bring myself..too...i just keep smiling....omg the truck....Fred's Fool...

[@petescarport]

God your videos make me so happy. I want a Ferrari 308 so bad and I have a sprite. Mine is a heavily modified mrk2 sprite that has a very mean cam installed now.

[@Number27]

Enjoy your Sprite Pete!!

[@richardcarter1000]

Brilliant. Proper British sports car with weather to match. Had many days like that in my TR6. Haven't put the hood up for two years now.

[@Number27]

Love a TR6!!! Enjoy!!

[@Number27]

Love a TR6!!! Enjoy!!

[@aCivilServant]

If you're not getting bugs in the teeth in summer, you're getting road grit in the teeth in winter :) Nice video and nice car. Sometimes simple is best.

[@memsybabe]

Mini-lites? Old cars have so much more character. Good luck, can't wait for the build 👍🏼

[@alexwild4350]

Best motoring video I've seen in years. Really illustrates how 'lost' we've become with souless modern cars. Who was it who said "When sex was safe and driving was dangerous. Now its sex is dangerous and driving is safe."

[@Number27]

Thanks for the cool comment Alex, totally agree!

[@bakedbeanzontoast9078]

You really needed a pair of leather aviators goggles and a white silk scarf flowing behind you whilst tooling along in the Healey.👍👍🇬🇧

[@davidthomas1424]

Gutted to see this little one go xx

[@geoffmarsh7986]

Forgot to add, that I love the "pond water colour" green interior. Mates frogeye has glorious red interior which looks great.

[@weatherall68]

That's a great car!

[@attilioingravalle585]

Great, that’s the spirit!

[@JIMWSMITH]

Totally agree they are fantastic little cars to drive, people dont understand until they have driven one. Video shared to midget & sprite facebook page 😉

[@Number27]

Thanks Jim!!!

[@alastairwatson3201]

I get what you’re saying, Jack! I had a IIIA (Australian market only) and, basic as it was, it was a hoot!

[@johnfoster7536]

Hi jack best video you have ever done only british guys will understand why you loved the frog eye so much. its a proper little sports car no frills no roof lol oh and the fantastic weather too.and yes i can understand why you love it more than the magnum pi special. most of your over seas viewers wont understand. these cars where built and drove when it was you the driver that was in control and you had to work hard to get the best out of it . No stupid driver aids no computers taking over. You could work on these with the most basic tools you didn't need a workshop full of computers and very deep wallets to maintain it either.

[@larrychamel]

Great Car! If you truly Love something more than your 308 yo need to get your hands on a Bugeye! Stay Safe and Stay Healthy Mate! ❤🙏❤

[@cheftush]

Yep, love my vintage British stuff...I’ve got 6 Triumphs in my collection...everything from a 59 TR3A up to an 81 TR8.

[@littlepippin8445]

I loved my TR7, 2.0 litre with more than enough poke for a fun drive out. Really never understood the bad press TR7 got, cos they are a lovely solid little budget sports car. No more unreliable than every single other classic............

[@RapideWombaticus]

Fred is a pretty cool lil guy

[@Number27]

Totally!!

[@GarySlegg]

I have a 1500 Midget, brilliant fun to drive

[@stremlett2477]

I’ve owned over 70 cars including 5 911s, 2 XKRs, 3 Sprite/Midgets, 2 MGBs, 2 Westfields and a VR6 Corrado. Nothing put a smile on my face, or on the faces of pedestrians like my Mk1 Frogeye, LSK747, Old English White. I got some important learnings about wheel sizes that I’ll share when I have a bit more time.

[@placeyplacey]

Didn’t know you had this! Becoming a real Harry M.. 😝

[@Number27]

Had this for ages!! Thanks for watching!

[@richarddarsa6353]

I'm not surprised you like it, even at 30-50mph, it looks completely lethal. That must be a buzz!

[@Number27]

Exactly!! Super little car!! I can slide it around within the speed limit!!

[@richarddarsa6353]

@@Number27 I'm tempted to get a new shape mx5 as a daily for the same reason, wondering if I would be better off with the smaller engine car too, I just like airbags, seatbelts and a roof.

[@polygamous1]

I Love old British sports cars along with few Italian cars, they where Not designed in the wind tunnel for max performance but by engineers who Loved what they where doing each has it own character, today's cars they do Nothing for me, what I find the most beautiful sports car of all the the big Healey I cannot Imagine a better car on earth to drive on a sunny Sunday morning in country lanes unless u r young n still get the thrills of driving the Elan is out on its own the Healey is so graceful Love just looking at it better than the MGA another car I love

[@dphotos007]

I put a 5 speed in my Triumph TR4A and it was one of the best moves I made. It uses a Toyota gear box and each shift is like butter, it allows me to be on a highway with lower RPM’s. Dealing with old original transmission and a slave cylinder was a real pain. Original Triumph’s like to pop out of second gear a lot. I also put in a set of Pertronics, I converted the generator to an alternator plus I installed a screw on oil filter kit.

[@littlepippin8445]

I put auto transmission fluid in my tr7. No more probs with 2nd.

[@rockandmeatroll]

Saw a electric heated jacket, might be an idea for those freezing runs :) cool vid.

[@Paul-fb1em]

I had an '72 Opel GT back in college. I think it had the same characteristics as your Sprite. Very mechanical, you had to really drive it to keep up to just about any other car. Sounds, feels, smells. I've got great memories of it. I remember chasing the jetting for a long time until I finally got it perfect. Your plugs looked pretty darn good. Have fun... get your wipers fixed or wear some Elton John specs!

[@Number27]

Thanks Paul!!!

[@simonk337]

That looks terrifying, and that's coming from another Sprite owner 😱

[@michaelstaley2241]

Very good as always lovely classic English car of the day I presume you store it somewhere secure overnight.keep safe and don’t forget the Alfa . I own a lovely mito mint condition lovely car.

[@barfmeister8509]

What a great ickle car ❤️

[@mikwhiting938]

Blimey - how many cars do you own?! JEALOUS! :)

[@Number27]

Just three.. so far!

[@mikwhiting938]

@@Number27 Keep up the great vids mate - your sheer enthusiasm for the subject(s) is fantastic. :)

[@herme99]

British weather for a British car!

[@jimbethpiggy]

That looks quite liberating ...driving without a seat belt.

[@presstodelete1165]

I realy need to get myself somewhere to work on my Morris Traveller before it all rusts away. If I get a big enough garage I might look for a sprite to go with it.