1962 Bugeye?

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

I met a gentleman today who related to me the following:

- That at the end of the Bugeye run and prior to the Series II AH manufactured about 600 units that had the Bugeye front clip but with a bonnet cut into the existing front clip, with the fenders remaining stationary. He said this bonnet was hinged to open forward, like on a Sunbeam Alpine.

Has anyone seen one of these? Any pictures?

MXP

 

[Biff]

Nope & nope.
Ask the 'gentleman' for his source (other than his recall) or photos.

 

[Biff]

Oops. I just remember one of the prototypes for the bugeye had an arrangement similar to what he might have been trying to describe. On the prototype the front hinged forward but the lower half of the wings behind the front wheel wells stayed in place. The dividing line was the top of the wheel well back to the rear of the bonnet.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Maybe he saw a bugeye tub with mkII fenders and bonnet. (Which I think looks very nice). But that doesn't explain the front flip bonnet... nevermind

 

[GB1]

That was a prototype to the mkII Sprite. I have seen one, a white one in factory photos, but I am certain that they were not produced. If there are any other than that one, it was not a qty of 600.

As for the hinges, you are on your own.

Pat

 

[aeronca65t]

The closest thing I can recall it the "Super Sprite".

These things had a Coventry-Climax engine and were built by the Donald Healey Company.
Certainly not "factory", though.

More info at the bottom of this page:
https://www.austin-healey-club.com/Pages/AH50-woolmer-series.html

 

[bugimike]

Well, Nial's post certainly says it all...it IS a 62!...it IS based on a Mk I chassis!...it IS only a prototype!! There is certainly no evidence of 600 ever being produced!! XQHS is an interesting car, but personally speaking the bonnet treatment doesn't do much for me! It might have looked a bit nicer with recessed headlights (a la XKE)!