One of my buddies lives in bohemian confines of the Hollywood Hills. While out walking his dog, he came across a natty frogeye sprite with a somewhat improvised tonneau cover.
You’d have to cut the owner some slack- the weather in LA, normally the epitome of top-down driving conditions, has been Aquaman wet of late. That didn’t mean spending the half hour-plus it takes to put up the little Austin Healey’s top, but in typical laid-back LA fashion, required only the draping of a hardware store tarp to keep the worst of the storms from turning the car into a fishpond.
The Frogeye was built between 1958 and 1961, and was powered by a 948-cc A-series. Lacking a proper boot opening, the luggage rack was a popular option, and kept your belongings out of the way when you had to dig around behind the seats for the spare, or the top bows. The mags give it a bit of a ’70s dilettante vibe, but at least they’re not rockin’ the donk.
This was a most excellent find, especially as it has been so rainy here in the City of Angels. Fortunately for us the tight, twisting residential streets in the tony enclave allow for limited off-street parking, so we get a glimpse of this redcoat out in public. Lot’s of Hollywood residents like to maintain their car’s privacy, as well as their own, so it’s rare to catch something interesting without scaling a high wall and eventually having to face somebody with “Armed Response” emblazoned on their car.
Thanks for the pictures go to Hamish McCollester. Hamish is a film maker- check out the trailer for his latest flick over at JASON’S BIG PROBLEM.
And Those Hollywood Sprites. . .
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Wiiiiiiide mouth frog
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I'm swooning. The reason why I lust for the Mk II Sprite is because I've nearly given up on finding a decent Mk I for a reasonable price. Maybe I shouldn't be so hasty to give up.
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So WTF are we supposed to call these damn things? I've always called 'em Bugeyes, but only recently have seen them referred to as Frogeyes. Which is it really?
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Happy Car is happy.
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Ah, so there's the styling inspiration for the new MX5!
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I think it depends on which side of the Atlantic you are on, but I forget which is which.
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Once upon a time, in the mystical Great Britishland, a young lady setting out to restore one of these with the help of a not-so-princely mechanic/TV host. There were great obstacles on the long, long road to success, but with the help of the mechanic and a helpful and encouraging father, our young lady, with a cheerful smile and her long blonde hair glistening in the mild English sun, conquered the challenges and brought a smile back to the Frog's eyes. Satisfied, she set her basket on the back and with her proud father in tow, set out on an epic road rally.
Sums up the TV show where I first saw the Frogeye. I still somehow remember the show. That girl's name was probably not Eleanor, though that's what I'll name her from now on. -
My dad has a '59 Bugeye sitting in his garage. He hasn't touched it in years. It's the one car (okay, one of the cars) I'd sell my MGB GT for.
I've already told him that my siblings can have the house, the money, etc when he and mom go. I want the Bugeye. -
This is an epic post, I will be adding your site to my morning routine!
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