1958 Austin Healey Sprite Frogeye / Bugeye review from North America

Complete restoration to original specs. All components rebuilt or replaced with quality new parts. No serious problem since. Still leaks fluids of all kinds though.

This is a very sweet little sport car of a past era, when cars were light weight and simple. Makes people smile.

It's very fun to drive, especially on curvy roads with good pavement. It handles like a go-kart. The handling actually improves the harder you drive it. Little power makes momentum preservation the driving style of choice. Great predictable over-steer makes you feel like Fangio.

Uphill performance limited by the 43bhp engine.

Engine is okay for its size. Original smooth case transmission is not great; slow gearshift required, noisy in 1st, and can't keep oil inside. Upgrades are available, but I want to keep my car original.

Comfort is not part of the game. Only a soap box can be more basic. Hard to get in. Upright seat not great for the back.

4 drum brakes and no safety feature whatsoever, so you've got to drive this very conservatively in the traffic.