The Norman Transcript
May 04, 2008 12:24 am
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For The Transcript
Dr. Charles Anderson's 1961 Austin-Healey "Bugeye" Sprite has played such a significant role in his life that he'll never be able to part with her.
Twenty-five years ago when Norman's favorite podiatrist (2008 Transcript Reader's Choice) was 18 he rode a train from Chicago to Pennsylvania to help his dad's friend reassemble the Sprite, then a basket case. After two weeks of hard work, the kid struck out alone for the long drive home in a car he'd helped rebuild. The electrical system's generator wasn't charging and he came to a dead stop somewhere in Indiana.
Dad came to the rescue from Illinois. Years, jobs, medical school and other cars, like an AMC Pacer and Ford Mustang came and went. Miraculously, the youngster managed to hang on to his Sprite. Anderson and his wife Dana drove away from their wedding in the cute little car. Both their sons came home from the hospital in an automobile that appears to be wearing a perpetual chrome smile. It's a gorgeous grill.
After teenage on-the-road adventures, true love and children, the old grinning Sprite now has a special slip of its own in the carriage house behind their 1916 historic district home.
"It's been a weekend car with currently around 35,000 miles on the odometer," Anderson said.
The youthful doc grew up in a family revering the Austin-Healey marque. Various AH models were used for regular service and fun. His mom and insurance sales executive dad founded the first AH club in the early 1960's in Chicago. Dad was president at times and mom recently retired after being secretary for more than 30 years. They've owned many AH cars in the past four decades.
With other U.S. couples the elder Andersons once shipped their AH to the United Kingdom. They toured together, a convoy of Americans, leaking motor oil all over the foggy island.
"Dad's first was a white 1958 'Bugeye' and they're restoring another white one right now," Anderson said. "AH was in his price range and he just fell in love with them. Dad did some of the racing they had back then, which isn't common today."
The family has attended many AH Conclaves together. It's the annual national meet held in various cities nationwide. At one of these, Anderson met Donald Healey (1898-1988), the World War I combat aviator, automotive engineer and industrialist who masterminded Sprite production.
"He was a British gentleman. I remember Mr. Healey looking over show cars that guys had restored to concourse condition, commenting, 'You know, we never built them this well.'"
Anderson is the president of the local club. He described a special camaraderie he's observed among AH owners.
"My parents drive their car all over the U.S. and they take the national membership list in the car with them. They've broken down in the middle of nowhere and called the nearest person on the list. They brought a trailer out, put them up for the night and helped fix the car. AH people tend to be very nice."
As with other British rides, reliability issues and quirky engineering are a hallmark.
"If it's not leaking oil, you're out of oil," Anderson said.
Sure enough, his Sprite parks over drip pans front to back on the floor of her slip.
In 1958, the AH Sprite was marketed in North America as a car that was affordable and exciting to drive. Anderson has an extensive collection of magazine ads from that period.
"Beautifully Fast" is one pitch, featuring an attractive woman dressed to the nines, seated at the wheel. A cheetah is cuddled up to her, draped over the car's rear like a living accessory. The ad is a sophisticated Alberto Vargas-style drawing.
In reality, the Sprite, like most sports cars of the day, was a no-nonsense vehicle with virtually no amenities. The early ones had no carpet. The floor was covered by a molded rubber mat. There were no roll up windows, they were fixed side curtains. Heaters and even the front bumper were options. There's no trunk lid. Space in the car's rear can be accessed by reaching behind the seats.
To check the engine, both front fenders, radiator cowl and bonnet (hood) lift together as one assembly. The distinctive headlamps mounted on the fenders which gave the car its "Bugeye" name were the result of design cost-cutting. The original plan had been for retractable lamps, but the necessary mechanism proved too expensive.
Serendipitous good fortune that, because the tiny car's insect-like eyes became iconic. Mention Sprites and even people only vaguely familiar with classic cars will ask if it's a Bugeye.
But even with few creature comforts, what made the Sprite so popular is that it's a blast to drive. To this day the 1968 British racing green Sprite I had briefly in college was more fun than any other ride. Advertising promises in Playboy magazine of "Dashing, quick and responsive..." all were kept. The steering is so precise that over-correction is the most common error made by novice drivers. Anderson has mastered the nuances, even racing his "Bugeye" competitively on occasion.
"But one of the best things is that people smile when they see our Sprite. You feel like you're brightening someone's day just driving down the road," he said.
One of Anderson's pre-teen sons wandered into the room searching for his shoes. Asked what he likes about Sprites the reply was speedy.
"I like it when dad drives fast. Going fast is cool," he said.
Judging by this boyish enthusiasm, the little Sprite in the carriage house can undoubtedly look forward to another generation with the Anderson family.
Editor's note: Have you seen a cool vehicle around Norman? Writer Doug Hill's always on the lookout for future Dig My Ride columns. E-mail him at Hillreviews@hotmail.com.
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