1960 Austin Healey Sprite

My Dream Car (aka my dream project)

In January 2023, I bought a 1960 Austin Healey Sprite (affectionately called a 'bugeye') and within a week I blew up the transmission going up Old Paige Mill Drive. After hobbling it back down to Stanford campus on 4th gear, I started on a long restoration and upgrade process.

In 2023-2024, I have accomplished these projects (mostly in the campus underground parking garages with limited tool/electricity access):

Replaced the Transmission
Rewired the entire car, including upgrades/modernization to the electrical system (including Pertronix electronic ignition and tachometer)
Upgraded the cooling system with aluminum radiator and 6-blade fan, lower temperature thermostat
Brake pad and drum rebuild
Engine service and tuning (including ignition coil, carburetor rebuild and tuning, spark plugs, valve clearance tuning, etc.)
many many others

Currently, I enjoy driving the Bugeye up to Alice's Restaurant on Skyline for breakfast, around campus, and even up to Sonoma Raceway to watch vintage racing.

pulling the engine and transmission together

servicing the engine and replacing the transmission

putting the drivetrain back into the car

driving across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma for some vintage racing

despite it's petite stature, the Bugeye has been surprisingly useful for transporting packages (and people!)

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