Wicked Wednesday: Tiny 1959 Austin Healey ‘Bugeye’ Sprite Hides a Massive 478 Hemi Engine

‘Bugeye’ Sprite has been in the family for 56 years and just might be the greatest sleeper car in the world.

Here is something you don’t see on Dodge Forum every day. A 1959 Austin Healey ‘Bugeye’ Sprite. In fact, did you ever think you would see one on this site? That car is the complete opposite of everything you think of when you think of Dodge. The Sprite is tiny, light, has a small engine and is British. But this particular Sprite is a whole different ballgame. It deserves a spot on this page because it has a massive 478 cubic inch Hemi stuffed under its unassuming hood. The car weighs only about 2,600 pounds but makes 440 American horsepower. If you love a good sleeper car than this is the one for you.

This week’s “Wicked Wednesday” is all about this 1959 Austin Healey ‘Bugeye’ Sprite. The car is owned and designed by retired engineer Vaughn Marian.  It has been a work in progress for the past 56 years. His son Dave Marian caught up with Nicole Johnson to talk to her about everything that went into making this Hemi Healy. The video was recently posted on the Nicole Johnson’s Detour YouTube channel. It is quite the story, and it has us wondering. What it the craziest thing you ever put a Hemi engine into?

Hemi Healy

When the elder Marian picked up the Austin Healey he began to work on it right away and dropped in a 392 Hemi. Then a 426 Hemi was installed. And today the big 478 Hemi lives under the tiny hood, or should we say bonnet of the Healey. The frame is all custom and the suspension is from a Corvette but the body shell and exterior dimensions of the car match that of the original. So, there is not a single visual cue to anyone looking at this car that it makes big Hemi horsepower. But once you stomp on the gas everyone will know this is not a regular 1959 Austin Healey ‘Bugeye’ Sprite. When Johnson launches the car for the first time two things happen. One, the little car takes off like a bat out of hell. Two, she laughs hysterically.

Best Sleeper Ever?

A big Hemi build is exciting in any car. But when you have a Hemi motor in a big, aggressive looking car everyone expects the performance to be there. But when you stuff it into a tiny British roadster that doesn’t look like it could even hit 60 mph that is pure gold. If you were going to build a sleeper car with Hemi power, what would you pick? Can you think of anything that would surprise people more than this little toy of a car?

Now What?

If you had a car like this, what would you do with it? Marian seems content to cruise around in it and have some fun. Nothing wrong with that at all. But would you take it to the drag strip just to see all the stunned faces when you took off? Would you autocross it or take it to a road course? No matter what you did with it you would be having big fun in a little car that is for sure. Check out the video below to see how this little car came to have such a big heart.

Join the Dodge Forums now!

Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.