HEMI HEALEY: 478ci Hemi-Powered 1959 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite | EP15
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Жыл бұрынNo wonder it's smiling... it's got a Hemi. Concealed behind its cute, friendly grin, a massive 478 cu. in. Chrysler Hemi producing 440 horsepower is perfectly paired with a Corvette suspension in this 80" wheel-base 1959 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite. Owned and designed by engineer Vaughn Marian for the past 56 years, son Dave Marian sneaks the Ferrari-yellow roadster out for a drive with Nicole up legendary Highway 74 (as driven in the 1963 movie "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World") overlooking Palm Desert, California.
ABOUT THE MARIANS: Dave and his brother John grew up building the Sprite with their father, who acquired the body in 1966 on a first-date with their mother. A legacy 56 years strong, the Sprite is like a member of the Marian family, and has evolved for decades to become what it is today.
Dave's KZfaq: @caddydave
SPRITE BUILD PHOTOS: / hemi_bugeye_sprite
•••••
Created and Produced by Michael Badami and Nicole Johnson
Directed by Michael Badami
© Lawndart Limited
lawndartlimited.com
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#hemihealey #hemisprite #bugeyesprite #frogeyesprite #nicolejohnsonsdetour #v8roadster
@vaughnmarian573 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for producing this spectacular video of our Sprite! I’m just as proud of my sons as I am of the car!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
As you should be! The 3 of you clearly have a special bond and it's something all dads should have with their sons. The fact that you included them all these decades with this car is admirable... I'm willing to bet that through this tiny little car, you have instilled confidence, mechanical skills and dedication into their constitutions. Bravo, dad! I am appreciative of the very rare opportunity to have driven the Sprite and our team is grateful to you, sir! Your engineering mind is impressive! May your family and friends enjoy this forever! 😊
@danamesarchik3633 Жыл бұрын
Vaughn, you did a great job raising your boys you must be very proud of them!
@drdesmo8489 Жыл бұрын
Father or Mothers doing this with there kids is what makes wonderful people and magic on this earth. Thank you for letting Nicole and Company make this absolutely awesome video, I bet she is a blast to work with.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
@DrDesmo I bet you're right! 😂
@harryspeakup8452 Жыл бұрын
Vaughn, this car does you and your family huge credit. Making such a beast completely sound in engineering terms, keeping it usable and tractable, is one of the most impressive pieces of home automotive engineering I've ever seen. And the fact that you've had it as a family, and have been tinkering with it, for so many decades is extremely endearing.
@timothydraper3687 Жыл бұрын
I like how proud this guy is of his dad, it's what every child (but not every father) deserves, a lucky guy and lucky dad. 🙂
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes..we agree!! Thank you so much for watching!!
@danielhoward8354 Жыл бұрын
Well said
@leebatt7964 Жыл бұрын
My dad taught me to play chess, I frickin hate chess!
@darrinrentruc6614 6 ай бұрын
agree
@garretlewis4103 2 ай бұрын
At least you had the right apparel. Head scarf and cat eye sunglasses. The power to weight ratio is probably crazy.
@Tonedog88 Жыл бұрын
Being the only non-family person to drive a car representing 50 years of family love and effort....lady, you should feel honored. Nice video!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes.. we agree and I'm very aware of that!! Thank you so much for watching!!
@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710 Жыл бұрын
Hi, to do so would be worth at least one knee slap.
@robertbailey8003 Жыл бұрын
As a UK engineer who was a young boy when the Sprite came out, I can tell you I love this car and the way you have designed and developed it. It is perfect for its environment.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!
@oldbloke135 10 ай бұрын
To do this on 2D AutoCAD is a remarkable piece of work. The result is definitely something to be proud of. I don't know how you keep your driving license!
@tomgardner6294 Жыл бұрын
The. Scarf, the glasses, the car…so perfect. Only do be outdone by the laughing that accompanied that first burnout..this one really brought the best out of you. Such a great video! And such great engineering to make it all possible. What an amazing car!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it..thanks for watching!!
@davidburne9477 Жыл бұрын
That cackle sounded like it was straight from the witches of Macbeth. Gold!
@1nvisible1 Жыл бұрын
*Power/weight ratio just N of the Challenger Shuttle.* *In forty years when his kids give it the "vertical" refresh with the carbon tub frame and stub wings, it will have a flight ceiling of 40,000 feet.*
@robertweinmann9408 Жыл бұрын
First time seeing one of your videos, which was excellent. With your scarf and shades, you look just like Andrea Martins character Pirini Scleroso. I mean that in the best possible way!
@randolfo1265 Жыл бұрын
@@robertweinmann9408 - Pirini Scleroso! (Big fan here)
@slicksnewonenow Жыл бұрын
"Car Guys" are a dime a dozen... But "Car Gals" are as rare as a Blue Moon....😍
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
@rldunn38 Жыл бұрын
I kept waiting for her to break out singing, 'They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, "No, no, no"'. Beautiful car, equally beautiful work under its skin.
@timmungenast Жыл бұрын
When wretched excess is this beautifully engineered and executed, it becomes Art. This is one amazing roadster, and a very fun video! Nice work all around!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoy it! Thanks so much for watching!!
@raymondo162 Жыл бұрын
MEH
@davidfreeman8074 Жыл бұрын
@@NicoleJohnsonsDetour The 80 in. wheelbase and this big engine is seemingly a notch MORE pathological puppy beyond Mr. Shelby's gas guzzlin' AC. Awesome build quality.
@boronsniify Жыл бұрын
Great job Vaughan, not only in building the Sprite, but raising such a personable son! Props to you!
@harryspeakup8452 Жыл бұрын
This is so beautifully executed when it could (and most times would) have been a complete abomination. As a Brit with an appreciation of high powered mongrels I very much appreciate it. Hats off to the Marians for making it real and letting Nicole bring it to us for everyone's pleasure
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
How nice..thank you !!
@frankish5314 Жыл бұрын
So thats 2 of us Brits on here.. Any more?
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
@@frankish5314 Well, there have been comments screaming at us that these are called Frogeye, not Bugeye. I'm willing to bet those folks are Brits... who didn't bother to watch! We clearly state that we call them Bugeye in the US! 😂 Anyway, thanks for watching!
@TheGearhead222 Жыл бұрын
Reminds me of the Sunbeam Tiger or ACE Cobra on steroids!;)-John in Texas
@nygelmiller5293 Жыл бұрын
@@frankish5314 yes, ME, Nygel Miller. Look out for my long comment, about how I admired these when I was on my way to school!
@robertbutler8004 Жыл бұрын
Every boy needs a dad as this guy has!!!
@allanbowes6952 Жыл бұрын
In the spring of 1962 I was sharing driving to work with a friend who had a white Sprite. The trip was about 20 miles each way. At highway speed 60 MPH or so you felt that you were at 'Warp" speed. Your bottom felt about one inch from the road. This is probably the best refit of a Sprite period. Very well done!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your story. Glad you liked it!!
@daveevans5291 Жыл бұрын
I agree.
@darrinrentruc6614 6 ай бұрын
They are cheap for the reason that they shitty cars. I guess removing 100 percent of the drive train,suspension,steering is all they need to be nice cars.
@MikeAarset Жыл бұрын
I have a bugeye and this bugeye was done so well. A real engineering masterpiece. Love it. Super impressed
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!!
@oxtoolco Жыл бұрын
I've ridden in this car. It indeed has no room in the footwells. I got my steel toe boots stuck when Dave gave me a ride in it. Excellent video! Dave had his nervous face on. All the best, Tom
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..glad you liked it!!
@Keith_Ward Жыл бұрын
Hey Tom! The people you run into in the strangest places! I'll bet you knew they were using AutoCAD like I did long before he said it.
@timclaus8313 Жыл бұрын
Got to ride in the Sprite after the 426 hemi was installed. Not likely to forget that ride, ever.
@robertamoyaw8812 Жыл бұрын
What a Dad!!!!🤠👍
@BobbyTucker Жыл бұрын
The way your knees come in contact with the dash eliminates the need for airbags! lol
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..you might be on to something!! Thank you for watching!!
@yjsaabman Жыл бұрын
The scarf and the sunglasses are perfect! They just add to the unassuming nature of the car. What a fantastic piece of engineering. Thank you for sharing the car and the fantastic story behind it with us!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Our pleasure! Thank you for watching!!
@CLCIII Жыл бұрын
That is a 100 plus smiles per hour car for sure! Perfect Los Angelas Crest Cruiser! Love it!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We agree! Thanks for watching!!
@ExUSSailor Жыл бұрын
That is gloriously INSANE!
@exinfernnus Жыл бұрын
The first few minutes I said, "Yah that's cool." Then they opened the hood. I teared up a bit at that point.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it..thank you so much for watching!!
@joecausey8508 Жыл бұрын
I love it! The car, the laughing, the woman.... ❤
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you..glad you enjoyed it!!
@58raceguy Жыл бұрын
Nicole, you always do such a great job on your episodes. You come across as being easy to converse with and always have intelligent questions. When you first nailed the throttle and started cracking up, you had me laughing right along with you. You were definitely rockin’ the sunglasses too! Thanks for sharing this car with all of us, it’s completely absurd in the most fantastic way. I’m really impressed with the engineering they put into the build. Keep up the great work, we love ‘ya for it.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed watching!!
@garyt.8745 Жыл бұрын
"You're the perfect size....". No mate! Nicole is perfect in every single way 😍
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
That's very nice of you!! Thank you!
@GPL1968 Жыл бұрын
This has to be the ultimate wolf in sheep's clotheing. Love it.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes..we love it too!! Thank you for watching!!
@cyberburnzy Жыл бұрын
The car and all the work and love this family has put into it is fantastic. Nicole, you are looking so classy in this video - very Audrey Hepburn! The camera work was great especially those high altitude drone shots.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much..glad you liked it!!
@ChucklesGarageOfficial Жыл бұрын
I support this kind of irresponsibility
@ernieseegers4747 8 ай бұрын
😂👍
@johnmact5548 Жыл бұрын
I lived in Palm Desert and Restored British sports cars in the UK. That's one awesome build, and a great look, Same sunglasses as my wife.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it..we appreciate you watching!!
@peterbonnez Жыл бұрын
Excellent. No loud exhaust, no spoilers, still has it's bumpers. I like that. A pal lent me his for 2 days in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain, very similar roads to those you are on. What a lot of fun I had in it, his has a 1293 cc Arden conversion, that was plenty fast enough. This Mopar car would be insane! A friend in UK has a Frogeye with a 6 cylinder 2.5 litre engine from an original JEEP.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!!
@possumwilliams2940 Жыл бұрын
Nicole, your facial expressions and your infectious laughter says it all....I love this little bogeyed sprite and I just adore you 🥰..thank you for the smile ☺ on my face !!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Oh thank you! Glad we could make you smile!!
@DMJ52 Жыл бұрын
In the UK we call this car a Frogeye Sprite ….. very nicely engineered project, super job.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
I know..I think Frogeye and Bugeye both describe the car!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
@jeffprice6421 Жыл бұрын
That noise coming out of that car is crazy. Love this.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We're so glad you like it! Thanks for watching!!
@johnbecay3859 Жыл бұрын
i love these cars that a family keeps for generations and keep working on. they have so much more cred than cars that people bang out and then go on to the next one.
@davethehippieman2665 Жыл бұрын
The level of WOW in this Bugeye is off the charts.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes..for sure!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!
@maxxwellbeing5208 Жыл бұрын
Awesome sixties shades and bonnet look. And the car...you can see it squatting down with pure power... What a cool build, total sleeper... they're totally sitting on a motor and transmission...
@timclaus8313 Жыл бұрын
This is the automotive equivalent of a WWII fighter, strap on an engine and be gone....
@paulmccool378 Жыл бұрын
Highway 74 is the perfect road for a car like that. Nicole gets bonus points for knowing it was the highway in IAMMMMW.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes..we did know that. Beautiful road for sure!!
@radsk8rbigollies594 11 ай бұрын
I like how it is still the exact same size and still looks like a real sprite. It is respectful to the original aesthetic but extremely custom and hot rodded. Job well done. Cool- Cool- Cool!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour 11 ай бұрын
We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!
@caddydave 11 ай бұрын
Is it safe to say it changed your life? :)
@radsk8rbigollies594 11 ай бұрын
@@caddydave Um, sure. Consider my life changed!😜
@tomcolegrove5491 Жыл бұрын
A short 21-minutes ago I said, "Oh! Look! Another Nicole Johnson's Detour video!!!!" It was over all too quickly (in more ways than one!). Thanks for the ride-along.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
How nice!! Thank you for riding along with us!!
@danamesarchik3633 Жыл бұрын
Dave what a great treat for all your Dads hard work over this years. I remember when I first saw this project 30 years ago and was amazed at what he was building. Nicole great job keeping all that HP on the road as Dave is not a very good passenger.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..I actually thought he was a pretty good sport as a passenger, considering they had never let anyone drive the car before.
@conceptsken1 Жыл бұрын
GREAT JOB FATHER AND SONS IN THE GARAGE, VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We agree!! Thank you for watching!!
@Gmacrone Жыл бұрын
Wow, another sleeper and the looks on your face were absolutely priceless.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you..glad you enjoyed watching!!
@Trentyist Жыл бұрын
That is just fantastic. Beautifully engineered. I live in the UK. Frog eye sprites are few and far between now but they are always a head turner when seen out and about. I really enjoyed watching that.........thanks and best wishes.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
How nice!! Thank you so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@alanmorris1996 Жыл бұрын
you’re not beautiful … you’re MORE than BEAUTY !!! And you know it !!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Oh gee...thank you!!
@trollerguy Жыл бұрын
You are a Queen, you presented this man's car like a pro. I will be watching for others.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you! 😃!!
@DIYBFF123 Жыл бұрын
The front of that car is just pure HAPPY!!!!!❤❤❤❤
@caddydave Жыл бұрын
Its hard to imagine a more cheery shape…. You don’t have to be a “car” person to recognize the big smile!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes it is...just makes you smile!!
@oldschool8432 Жыл бұрын
Awesome car, awesome interviewer an awesome builder
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you..glad you liked it!!
@DraQuul Жыл бұрын
This was great on sooo many levels. I loved the car, the engineering that went into building it and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you two make this very entertaining video. Excellent job!!!😉
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much..that's very nice!!
@danfinelli81 Жыл бұрын
I would compare driving the car to wily coyote strapping a rock to himself! What a badass car!
@davidtaysom3592 Жыл бұрын
My mum and dad had one of these in England in the 60s and it was the first car ever I ever took to the road sat on my dad's lap when I was about 4 years old steering the car love them and still want one really enjoyed your video the gentleman that owns it is such a good sport
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
How nice that you have those memories!! We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!
@anthonycollingridge970 Жыл бұрын
Its a three quarter scale Cobra!!! Fantastic execution and hats off to the owner and his Dad.
@spikespa5208 Жыл бұрын
Frankensprite. Outstanding job.
@kimkleiner8456 Жыл бұрын
except it's got that huge hemi!
@jimmybarr9411 Жыл бұрын
I love this guy, so calm and collected, super down to earth.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We agree!! Thanks for watching this new episode!!
@caddydave Жыл бұрын
Me? I try!
@dougoverhoff7568 Жыл бұрын
Back in the 60's my brother and his friend bought a '54 Austin Healey that had a 327 Corvette engine. That car was so awesome!
@kimlground206 Жыл бұрын
That would have been a 100-6 or 3000 conversion. Very popular and almost bolt-in.
@CS_247 Жыл бұрын
" I have chickens! And kids!!" 😆 Classic. What a great shoot and what an awesome car. Nicole is like a ray of sunshine. 😍
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@umbertoyltp Жыл бұрын
You even found '59 style sunglasses and scarf! I saw Hoovie owning an original restored Austin Healey which had a tiny engine delivering 43 horsepower! Thanks to the overall weight it still was a fun car, but not exactly burning rubber! The Healy was designed to be a very affordable sportscar as Jeremy Clarkson would say ;-) I love the father and sons lifetime effort and knowhow to evolve this sweetie pie into a contained monster fit for people who may have to drop their shoes, haha!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..Thank you for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@scccp Жыл бұрын
I worked my way through law school doing mild restorations of Austin Healy Bug-eyed Sprites and 100s. Did do one Jag. This brings back memories of working in the non-air conditioned garage behind my apartment on many hot and cold days. Great job on the car and the video. Thanks to both of you.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed watching!! Thank you so much!!
@kensbackshop6399 Жыл бұрын
Kudos to the 3guys who built this amazing car,,,,,,that is one super sleeper for sure,,,,awesome guys
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes!! Thank you for watching!!
@carstenrehder4531 Жыл бұрын
Badassed Dad ever ! And holy moly, what a cool car, he and his sons, created. Im stunned.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!! Thanks for watching!!
@allanpolk2681 Жыл бұрын
What a beautifully put together car. Everything is seamlessly matched and so well done. The ultimate sleeper. Nice.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We agree! Thank you so much for watching!!
@sportswolf1 Жыл бұрын
What a great car but the best part for me was the chemistry between the two of you. I'm still laughing. This is my favorite video this week.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
@philipashford8102 Жыл бұрын
MISS NICOLE YOUR"E A BLEESING DOING THESE VIDEOS IT SHOWS A LOT OF THE CLASSICS THAT ARE RARELY SEEN & YOU HAVE A BLAST TALKING ABOUT THE CARS & HISTORY ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE & HAVING A TOTAL BLAST THANKS AGAIN
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you like them! Thanks so much for watching!!
@rgs4x Жыл бұрын
In 1961 my family friend Bob Knapp Palo of Alto California was one of the first guys to put a V8 Chevrolet Corvette engine in a Austin Healey Sprite. It was featured in the August 61 Issue of Hot Rod Magazine. Page 61
@caddydave Жыл бұрын
We have that issue of hot rod! That was the article that started my dad down this road with this body…. Bob Knapp had a son named Robert… I think he lives in Colorado. I’ve tried to contact him, but the numbers I’ve found don’t seem to work. Do you know how to reach him?
@caddydave Жыл бұрын
From memory , Bob had an auto parts store that was located somewhere in Palo Alto on the El Camino.
@rgs4x Жыл бұрын
@@caddydave We know him as Robbie Knapp and we have not heard from him in years.
@stuartb9323 Жыл бұрын
What an awesome little car! Everytime you guys nailed the throttle, I was laughing along with you both. That look you had going on Nicole reminded me of a photo of my Mom back in 1963. Same cat eye glasses, and that scarf was on the money! You've got my Sub for several reasons 🙂
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Awesome...thank you so much for the sub. Glad you enjoyed watching!!
@jamespink4202 Жыл бұрын
Absolutely superb! "If some is good, and more is better, then too much is just enough"! Just marvelous! I thought my friend had a quick Frogeye with a 1750 Alfa motor...
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching!!
@MrShepardDog Жыл бұрын
The car is a rolling work of art...!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you like it..thanks for watching!!
@rayfoster6980 Жыл бұрын
In ‘63 my dad bought my mom a new Sunbeam Alpine. She always wore a scarf and the coolest shades of the day. You pulled that look off just as well. As a kid my twin brother and I rode with dad on 2 round trips from the LA area to Clearwater Florida in the Alpine It ended up being my first car and the first of many little British sports cars including a Bug Eye. Those were the days, great job on a great car.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Awesome..thanks for sharing!! Glad you liked it!!
@caddydave Жыл бұрын
2 kids with dad in an Alpine coast to coast had to be an amazing experience!
@billmcgarry3300 Жыл бұрын
Wow! That’s Crazy…and well engineered. Makes my 327 powered Healey 100 and my 289 powered Tiger look very Tame!! Excellent quality video production. Thanks Nicole!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you like it! Thanks for watching!!
@MrGaryGG48 Жыл бұрын
You're on my "train of thought, Bill." A neighbor of mine many years ago, stuffed a Mazda B13 Rotary in a "Buggy/Frog Eye" and thought he had a miraculous beast of a car. 🤣 He had no idea!!! When I first saw this episode on the list, I was thinking, "Nicole has lost her mind!!" After watching the rest of the video, I have to agree that the Marian family guys have engineered this thing down to the last nut & bolt. The result is phenomenal. 👍 (...we're still watching Nicole closely! 😂 )
@wagonmaster1974 Жыл бұрын
@@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Right there with Bill. Back in the 80s, I had an automotive shop. Did inventive mechanical things. I stuffed a 340 MOPAR drivetrain into a 1959 Austin Healey 100/6. Drove it probably half a dozen total times, three times on the street, before I took it apart. One of the more frightening vehicles I have ever piloted! It was clearanced with a yardstick and a set of calipers. Ok, not quite so rudimentary, but no cad program was available. Hats off to Vaughn and his boys for using their heads and expertise to build this frog righteously! Respect to David for trusting Nicole to the wheel and for Nicole treating it well. Very good driver!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
@@wagonmaster1974 Thank you for sharing and for the kind words!
@spicydragon3881 Жыл бұрын
This was an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC video! Your Sprite is both beautiful and pure insanity and I loved every second of it. When my parents got married they had a Sprite and it stayed in the family until I could drive. It was truly, like yours, a member of the family (and even with original Lucas wiring I think it got yelled at less than I did at times). Truly, hats off to your dad and the entire family for the time and incredible engineering (and patience) that went into this. Bravo.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!
@glennoropeza3545 Жыл бұрын
I love nothing better than an over size engine squeezed into an undersized car! But a 7.7 liter engine in a car that was designed for a 800cc car is beyond incredible!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching..glad you liked it!!
@johnhicks9929 Жыл бұрын
I`M BACK ! GREAT VIDEO ! MS. JOHNSON , YOU ROCK THE CAT EYE SHADES AND HEADSCARF !! YOU HAD THE BIG GUY HANGIN` ON ! THAT CAR IS REALLY ENGINEERED TO THE MAX ! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS ! 478 HEMI HEALEY , I`M IN HEAVEN !!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Welcome back!! Thanks for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@John_Morrison Жыл бұрын
That is truly awesome, best thing I've seen in months. The engineering is top notch! I would love to pull in to a service station and ask them to check the oil. (as if they even did anymore) Or better yet a classic english car mechanic who doesn't know about that car.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..thank you for watching..glad you liked it!!
@scottimusgarrett15 Жыл бұрын
I love Bugeye Sprites, and this is just too much fun! Who needs a stinkin' Cobra?!😂 I would like to see it with custom offset/width wire wheels to make it even more of a sleeper in profile! That being said, it's still awesome! Thanks, Nicole!✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching..we're glad you enjoyed it!!
@johnkendall6962 Жыл бұрын
LOL The way she reacted the first time she floored it.
@The_Repair_Shop Жыл бұрын
I love your laugh when you did that burn out. Pure joy
@christopherward5065 Жыл бұрын
What a great toy! The engineering is superb. It sounded incredible and looked perfect. The classic body shell over a space frame is pure racing car. Well done!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We agree!! Glad you liked it!!
@944tim Жыл бұрын
this guy looks like a superhero type. I half expected to see a cape. This family has built a wonderful vehicle, please thank them for allowing us to see it. On a related note, I saw an MGB cut in half the long way and widened out. You can probably find it online . Another good episode Nicole!! MGB=Jim Stabe
@AndrewNation13 Жыл бұрын
These are the most romantic moments of a magic automotive dream world & yes, always a tiny bit better when Nicole is here to nod her beautiful trophy bun. So fine 😍
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha!! Glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for watching!!
@petershim5900 Жыл бұрын
Okay... Nichole... that raucous laugh... It's megalomaniac! That lil bugeye is totally worth it! It's nuts! 🤩... n you're nuts 😆
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Haha..you might be right!!!
@billnlori3149 Жыл бұрын
What an absolute beast of a sleeper!! Love it. The sun glasses were totally on point lol!!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed it..thank you!!
@capnchip Жыл бұрын
Really cool! I was a dealer for these things back in the day! Still love them! This car has everything...but ...seat belts! With no top an accident would absolutely send you into the next county on the fly! OUCH!
@george344 Жыл бұрын
Just don’t crash🌝
@markadams7597 Жыл бұрын
Wow, just wow! Quiet but deadly. Mopar or Nocar!
@BC-ni3sk Жыл бұрын
This is like a skateboard with a rocket! Big dude and a huge engine. The best part maybe is Nicole laughing.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it..thank you for watching!!
@43JohnDeere Жыл бұрын
I suspect many are out there trying to dream up a car to build just so they can be featured on your channel....the turbocharged Subaru VW Bug engineer guy is still the number one most hilarious reaction to your driving...Hemi Sprite guy is probably the most calm so far. Soon you could have a compilation video of terrified reactions.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching..much appreciated!!
@LosZonga Жыл бұрын
Another awesome video, magnetism and such a well designed car. Great content, congrats to the builders, such a great inspiration and history.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!!
@aaaaaaab11 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful car love the Hemi.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching!! We're glad you enjoyed it!!
@michaelmartinez1345 Жыл бұрын
What a masterpiece of engineering!!!! Wow!!! This car is something else!!! Intense acceleration and an OMG moment, every time the gas pedal is even slightly depressed !!! I especially like the final scenes of driving up SR 74 coming out of Palm Desert... I used to take that highway to visit my folks when I lived in Orange county... I would pick up SR-74 in Mission Viejo and take it all the way to Palm Desert, then turn to the West on Hwy 111 Twd's P.S. .... Follow the same route in a reverse direction on the way back home... My folks lived in Palm Springs back then... A beautiful drive it is... Brings back a lot of memories....
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Yes..it's a beautiful drive for sure. Thank you so much for watching..we're glad you enjoyed it!!
@davect01 Жыл бұрын
You always find some great rides and owners ☺️
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you..glad you're enjoying!!
@lewismocaby3646 Жыл бұрын
Awesome,absolutely awesome!!! My grandparents had 4 bugeye Sprites until about 20 years ago when they moved to my great grandparents farm and decided it was time to downsize. I really didn’t get the appeal of these cars, having been at the Dragstrip since the age of 6 mos. old but in recent years I’m starting to understand. Definitely a cool platform to build from,great video.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. We're so glad you enjoyed watching!!
@terencegillespie6675 Жыл бұрын
DAMN! . What a wow project and such a nice work of art. Early 60’s high school… there was this huge guy and he had a midget Healy Sprite. I saw him driving it several times and then it was always just parked on the lawn at his parents home. Mind games. There are no small fun cars now. Fabulous car. Super project. So sneaky. WOW! Nice vid, too.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@henrikcarlsen1881 Жыл бұрын
This was a good one. The car, the chemistry and the outfit. All great.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
We're so glad you enjoyed it..thanks so much for watching!!
@Zundfolge Жыл бұрын
This thing is ridiculous in all the best ways. Very nice build.
@Motor-City-Mike Жыл бұрын
That's a new one - Most Bugeye/V8 conversions I've seen over the years were small block Fords - narrow and light, easiest to get in place. I've seen one with a small block Chevy, but the difference in weight made the driveability pretty poor. But this is the first large displacement, large V8 I've seen in a Bugeye... Go Healy go!!!
@SoCalChoppas Жыл бұрын
Wow, just Wow....great build. Nicole awesome job and the scarf head covering...perfect for the ride!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much..glad you enjoyed watching!!
@carlmorgan2227 Жыл бұрын
That cackling laugh says it all!!
@campbellpaul Жыл бұрын
Great video! I always wanted an Austin Healy Sprite. Thanks for the upload, Nicole!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
You're welcome..thanks for watching!!
@scooterbob4432 Жыл бұрын
My high school dream car. Now retired, the only Sprite I have is the soda pop.
@campbellpaul Жыл бұрын
@@scooterbob4432 We both live in an indifferent world, Bob!
@scooterbob4432 Жыл бұрын
@@campbellpaul Sprite is my wife's favorite drink, Paul. She wouldn't believe me that there was once upon a time a sportscar named Sprite until I showed her the picture. She said it looks like an ugly frog.
@craigr13666 Жыл бұрын
I'm on my lunch break. And this popped up on my recent uploads. You just made my day, because I had a thought this morning, wondering when there might be a now episode of Detour! 😁😄😃
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!!
@shackcf Жыл бұрын
I have no idea how you found this treasure. I was a BMC/Leyland, Peugeot, Citroen mechanic in the late 60's & early 70's. Until they were no longer imported then I switched to other imports. This was a great video!! Thank you very much. Had to be a blast!! 😉👍👍
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much..we're glad you enjoyed watching!! Yes..it was a blast!!
@johnnygavita Жыл бұрын
He's been so alert the whole time. He doesn't let loose very often.
@DC-mj4lx Жыл бұрын
Another awesome episode! You have a great knack for telling the story, not just a car review or screaming drive. Thank you so much to you and your team. I also enjoy that you always treat the owners and their cars with such respect.
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated! Thanks so much for the kind review!!
@David-dd7qe Жыл бұрын
As always great content! Love the car and your look! Should have left the scarf trail behind in the wind a couple of feet! Awesome family build!
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching..glad you enjoyed it!!
@harryshaw3760 Жыл бұрын
Like Isadora Duncan ???
@kbangfpv6226 Жыл бұрын
Oh Lordy I love there are crazy people just like me out there that look at a tiny little car like this gorgeous sprite and go hhhmmmm that might just fit and go ahead and shoehorn in a big block into it lloovvveeeeee it thanks guys you made a crazy old man smile and giggle like a school girl 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻✌🏻
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Awesome!!! We're so glad you enjoyed watching..thank you!!!
@ashookchandra8191 Жыл бұрын
Always love Austin Healy cars, this one a true sleeper a job well done 🙂❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯🙏🙏🙏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated!! Glad you liked it!!
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