July 27, 2005
Big Bike, relative to a Bug Eye
Riding home yesterday I took an alternate route -- far too nice of a day to ride straight home. Passed an auto body and paint shop, circled back for photos. I like cars that make my Savage look large. This one is a Austin-Healey Sprite, later called the Mark I. Affectionly called the Bug-Eye or Frog-Eye. Produced from 1958 to 1961 -- I had a '61 back in '65. Cost me $800. The most forgiving car I've ever driven. 1300 pounds curb weight, little four cylinder of just under one liter, dual SU carbs, four speed. Manual top. No trunk lid (access to trunk area through the cockpit.) You'll notice no holes on the doors for door handles -- it didn't come with any. To open the door you reached inside the car. Side curtains rather than roll-up windows which makes it a true roadster rather than a two-seat convertable.
Mikey, you are really in to small things that handle well.
Posted by: Wingo at July 29, 2005 04:03 PM