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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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)

"Car Guys" are a dime a dozen... But "Car Gals" are as rare as a Blue Moon....😍

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!

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.

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!!

Great job Vaughan, not only in building the Sprite, but raising such a personable son! Props to you!

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

I support this kind of irresponsibility

@ernieseegers4747

8 ай 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!!

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!😜

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!!

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!!

Fantastic build and amazing video! As a retired Naval Submariner and a manufacturing engineer at an engineering design firm, i highly appreciate the complexity and thought put into this build, bravo!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

10 күн бұрын

Thank you for the comment!! We're glad you enjoyed watching!!

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!!

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!!

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.

My dad owned an Austin-Healey 100-4 while he was working at Ford Canada in Windsor in the late '50s. After holing a piston in the original engine during a race and having copy of Hot Rod Magazine with an article which detailed the conversion, he put a Chevy 265 V8 in it with a manual transmission equipped with electric overdrive. He sold the car to pay for his and my mom's wedding and honeymoon in '59.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing!!

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!!

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!!

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....

In 1985 I bought a 1960 Bugeye from a guy on Coronado Island in San Diego California. If I were better prepared training, tools, and time-wise I would've put in a new wire harness - loved driving that little gem around, it had a 1976 1200cc motor in it. I haven't watched this video yet but it's cool to see one and I'm excited to watch your video. I wish I kept it and still had it. Thanks for posting this!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

And thank you so much..hope you enjoy watching!!

@caddydave

Жыл бұрын

Did you watch it?? Did it change your life?

@adamwebber9547

Жыл бұрын

@@caddydave I did watch it and was blown away at the skill, effort, patience, and family appreciation for the results. Amazing results! I can imagine driving that small car, with high performance frame & suspension, and all that power/torque!

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.

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!!

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!!

"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!

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!

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!!

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!!

My first wife bought one of these. Not QUITE like this one! It cost me my 65 GTO, that is another story. I see a lot of smart in this car, amazing and leaves me wonder struck. This is by far the best car video I have ever seen. Others should use this as a standard. Love girls reaction on light off.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for watching!!

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!!

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!

I love it! The car, the laughing, the woman.... ❤

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you..glad you enjoyed it!!

That is gloriously INSANE!

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!!

What a Dad!!!!🤠👍

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!!

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!!

Wow, just wow! Quiet but deadly. Mopar or Nocar!

The level of WOW in this Bugeye is off the charts.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Yes..for sure!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

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!!

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!!

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.

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!!

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

Every boy needs a dad as this guy has!!!

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!!

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!!

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🌝

A great car, driven by a lovely woman. The headscarf, white rimmed sunglasses and attitude are so 1960's. I really enjoy this video.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it..we appreciate you watching!!

Was grinning like a possum watching this. And I've got a 66 A/C Cobra, so I'm used to fast , small cars. This thing looks so fun.

@CarVideoCzar

Жыл бұрын

Thats a very rare and valuable car sir. Wow

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!!

@AMXhotrod

Жыл бұрын

@@CarVideoCzar its a kit, but a very accurate copy. I don't have the million or so for an original. The upside is, I can drive mine hard and not worry about crashing a 7 figure car. :-)

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!

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!!

Beautiful car love the Hemi.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!! We're glad you enjoyed it!!

Wow, another sleeper and the looks on your face were absolutely priceless.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you..glad you enjoyed watching!!

Awesome car, awesome interviewer an awesome builder

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you..glad you liked it!!

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!!

" 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!!

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!!!

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!!

you’re not beautiful … you’re MORE than BEAUTY !!! And you know it !!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Oh gee...thank you!!

You are a Queen, you presented this man's car like a pro. I will be watching for others.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😃!!

That noise coming out of that car is crazy. Love this.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

We're so glad you like it! Thanks for watching!!

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!!

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!

GREAT JOB FATHER AND SONS IN THE GARAGE, VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

We agree!! Thank you for watching!!

Oh man !! I used to run one with stage 3 tuning back in the day - but this one just blows me away. The engineering & finish is just awesome. Honestly it could not be better. Thanks for the share.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome...thank you so much for watching!!

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!

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!!

Years ago [like 35 years ago] I stuffed a MOPAR 340/4-gear into a '59 Austin Healey 100/6. Drove it like half a dozen times. It was insane quick and completely unpredictable for handling/stopping car. It was unregistered, uninsured, had a bootleg license tag and the original brakes for the car. I wish I had the resources when I put the Healey together. Would have turned out differently, for sure. Took it apart and sold the parted pieces. Too much. Way fun, but dangerous. Thanks for uploading this video. This video shows the vision is still alive. Glad to see that!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing with us!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

That is incredible and to answer your question, Frogeye Sprites are extremely rare back here in the UK, where our climate rapidly destroyed most cars of that era.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Unfortunately they are quite rare here as well. Such amazing little cars!!

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!!

You always find some great rides and owners ☺️

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you..glad you're enjoying!!

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!!

Just an exquisite one- off build. Yes..! Just the fact that it has taken decades to design and properly build. What is not to love..? This car is a rocket ship. My mom drove one of these in the late 50’s. Thank you for this video. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!! We're so glad you enjoyed it!!

This was a great respit from the mad, mad, mad, mad world we live in today! That is one of my favorite movies of all time, great choice for a road trip! As an engineer and motorhead, I really appreciate the work the Marian family put into this over the top Bugeye. Well done!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

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!!

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.

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!!

When distinguished elders are still in touch with their inner hyperactive child. This is awesome!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching...glad you like it!

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!!!

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!!

My sister had a yellow one like this back in the early 70’s but now 50 years later these are as rare as hen’s teeth in the U.K. I must take my hat off to everyone involved in the making of this car as you are all great visionaries

Another great feature. The most impressive thing is the fact it was so thoroughly and lovingly engineered. On the launch it looks like it just grabs and scoots so some serious thought must have been put into the setup. I'm also a fan of the exhaust. Quiet to not be obnoxious and loud when the mood strikes.

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Well said..thanks so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed!!

This thing is ridiculous in all the best ways. Very nice build.

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 ???

I love your laugh when you did that burn out. Pure joy

It's a classic recipe - take the biggest engine and install it in a small car. Few have done it as well as this stunning vehicle - a textbook example of a sleeper - love it!

@NicoleJohnsonsDetour

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more! Thank you for watching!!

@rustybearden1800

Жыл бұрын

@@NicoleJohnsonsDetour Really wonderful and refreshing to see a male dominated pastime from a passionate, intelligent and obviously vibrant lady's point of view - thank you!