Bugeyeguys - Branford, Connecticut

Gordon G.

BugEye Guys and Intergenerational Promises

I am forever grateful for the customer care and expertise I’ve experienced with BugEye Guys over the past 6 years, and I’m thrilled at the results after sending them my 1960 Bugeye “Shirl” from December 2023 through February 2024.

My car is a family heirloom that was purchased by my wife’s grandmother, Shirley, in Halifax, NS. Apparently Shirley was a flapper in the 20’s, and a spritely (no pun intended) jeans and leather jacket wearing spitfire in later life. After her husband died, she bought the Bugeye because she always wanted a sportscar. When Shirley moved to The States to join her son, Eville, he and his wife, Ada, drove the car down to Minneapolis. He inherited the car after Shirley died and drive it sparingly for 30 years. It was among his prized possessions,and he wore a flat cap and driving gloves whenever he drove it. When Eville mad we the move to assisted living, he gave the car to me, his son--in-law. This began my quest to keep the car in the family as a duty of stewardship. For me, that means taking possession and leaving the vehicle in before shape than when I received it.

It took me the better part of a day to get the car started (it had not been moved in 4 years). After I got it home I started my association with BugEye Guy David Silberkleit by visiting his website and ordering tires and rear springs in 2017. David let me know that he was upgrading Bugeyes to make them safer and more reliable at that time, but I was committed to doing as much work on the car as possible.

Over the years I did routine maintenance and learned more about the car’s inherent weaknesses (Cork seals? Really?) and did all that I could. Sometimes with the assistance of a local shop - with not very good results. In 2022, the clutch started going out at 38,000 miles -and I knew that was going to require an engine out experience. Finding someone to work on the Sprite has been a challenge, and while I was preparing bench space to do this job myself, I began to think about the work that would be required to put things right after the process of discovery occured. I’d get the 948 ccengine out and then start doing a compression test and find out it needed a top end job. And as long as we’re doing that, might as well replace the main chain. Might was well check the main bearings (tear down on engine stand) - and then upgrade the radiator, and replace that old master cylinder (but what about brake lines?). And what about that rusty gas tank and fuel lines. Sure would be nice to have seatbelts. The more I tbought about how much time it would take to start putting things right and improving them, the more I thought to send Shirl to David. That is the best decision I’ve made about the car to date.

I’ve never sent a car away to be worked on: I am a total newbie. Every aspect of the process that BugEye Guys uses for receiving deposits and payments (I sent checks), transport of the car (enclosed trailer with lift), assessment of its condition (I received a comprehensive build sheet for Shirl with prioritized recommendations for action) - all exceeded my expectations. I was immediately set at ease by same day responses to my emails, and BugEye Guys always has someone pick up the phone (thanks, Samantha and David). Lastly, I can’s thank Tony Trentadue enough for being my assigned principal point of contact throughout my build. Tony gave me almost daily updates with photos of my car’s progress and the inevitable “surprises” that come up when you’re digging into an unrestored, antique vehicle. This really made me feel special and valued as a customer.

If you’ve got one of these wonderful cars and you’re considering upgrading it or simply want to have it looked after with the care and love that you expect - please send it to BugEye Guys for first class and honest service and support. I wish I had done this years ago. Thank you, David and BugEye Guys crew!

Rob B.

Ever since I was a kid, I have always had a passion for British sports cars. In 1974, upon graduating from high school, I traded in the 1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 handed down to me from my parents for a 1969 MG Midget. I managed to keep this car running for a couple years and enjoyed every minute of it, but having an already deteriorating Midget in the Midwest as a daily driver does not bode well for the budding British car enthusiast. It had to go. Hence my British car experience came to an end. A 40-year career and three grown kids later, I found myself retired, and ready to pick up where I left off with my old Midget. I had been following David and the Bugeyeguys website for quite a few years in the hopes I would someday be able to acquire one of my own. In the summer of 2021, I saw a Bugeye pop up on David's site(Mikki) and decided to check it out. I had many reservations about buying a 62 year old car site unseen off the internet, but after multiple conversations with David, and also after having followed his website for years, I decided to take the leap. At Bugeyeguys, you are certainly welcome if not encouraged to visit their location and inspect any car, but I felt confident David would deliver, and he did. Not being a mechanic, welder, car body expert or really having any car restoration experience, I told David I was looking for a Bugeye that was as original as possible, but fully restored including some mechanical upgrades that would give me a fun, dependable car I could wash, wax, do general maintenance, take to car shows and drive on sunny days. David was great. He worked with me personally to select the best upgrades, and then had his team of professionals create exactly what I was looking for. I took delivery in the fall of 2021, which was flawless, and the follow up with service, questions, parts and tutorials has been excellent. I watch all of the major online auction sites on almost a daily basis, but don't ever see myself acquiring any car I cannot see and inspect firsthand before purchasing, unless I buy it from Bugeyeguys. There also seems to be "bidding frenzies" at the ends of these auctions, often driving the price of the better cars well beyond their true value, and unless you travel out to visit the car, you never get to see and inspect it yourself. Then there are buyer/seller fees, travel expenses(if you go inspect the car) and shipping. My idea of a "10 foot paint job" or "patina" and "mechanically sound" is a lot different from a most other buyers and sellers that shop online. That being said, I would buy from Bugeyeguys again in a heartbeat, and if I do, I know I will be getting a car that has been well sorted by a team of professionals, and I will have their full support if I have any issues. From a pricing standpoint, David was extremely fair. I would have spent thousands more buying a Bugeye that needed to be restored to the level of perfection I received from Bugeyeguys. I've done the math on many Bugeyes over the years. Unless you own and operate your own car restoration company, or you are ready to hand your 401K over to the major British car parts companies, trailer your car around and pay $75.00/hour for your local British car expert to do the work, usually over a period of time that could easily exceed a couple years if you are doing a frame-off resto, you won't go wrong with a Bugeye from Bugeyeguys!

Cheryl D.

The best day ever was finding David, the "Bugeye Guy" online on a Sunday morning several years ago. I had been looking for about a year and so excited when I came upon his website and found this beauty that I wanted to make my own. I thought that living on the west coast at Lake Tahoe was going to be tricky for the purchase but David made everything seamless right down to the my additional upgrades and shipping! What was super cool is that the shop is not too far from our family beach house in CT so in 2022 I was so happy to finally meet David and his team in Branford, CT. Such a wonderful experience. If you are looking for your dream ride, highly recommend BugEyeGuy! He won't disappoint! Tahoe CiCi

Jock L.

I should start by saying I have a passion for vintage British cars. I have owned at least one since 1967. Over the last couple of years that passion has exploded. A good friend told me about “The Bugeye Guy” in Branford Ct. I have now purchased 3 cars from David. He is a genius with these wonderful old vehicles. He restores and upgrades them , they are reliable, fun, beautiful machines. His specialty is the Austin Healy Bugeye of course. He has now sold 400 of them. If you are looking for a vintage vehicle David is the guy. If you have one then consider letting him go through it.
So I should introduce, Floyd, big Uncle M (Moxie), and Stretch.

Jeff H.

I have worked with the BugeyeGuys on series of improvements to my’60 Sprite over the past decade. When I take the car from them, it goes on a 100 mile test drive (just to get home). Highways in top gear, backroads through all the gears, and some heavy braking and hard cornering. Another delightful drive home yesterday. Goes like the dickens, stops with firm control and handles nimbly! The car has never been better - certainly not in my 45 year stewardship. It might also be the only British car that doesn’t leave an oil spot any longer!

Chris B.

Hi David, just wanted to say thanks for the great job you and your team did with Sawyer. I’ve now had an opportunity to take him out on a few trips and he’s driving better than ever. Definitely feeling the improved ride and seems to have a little more pep in his step with the new carbs and exhaust. Nose fit is perfect and I think it’s the first time he’s been rattle free both when driving and at idle. You and your team do fantastic work. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season

Andy B.

The Bugeyeguys Team are true professionals with a focus on the Austin Healey mark, especially the Sprite. I purchased a 1960 Sprite project earlier this year from the Bugeyeguys and launched a complete restoration. At every step of the project the Branfort-based team was just a call, text, or email away. Moreover, the content available on their website I found exceptional. Many upgraded components available from the Bugeyeguys parts page were included in the build. Noting their extensive experience working on just one vehicle led to my preference in ordering from their team and a trouble-free assembly of the 63-year old Sprite. Timely delivery, professional packaging, accurate shipments, and the correct components for the application are what they offer to enthusiasts. Attached are a photo of "Fritz" when he arrived in January and the recently completed project.

Thank you David, Nick, Sam, and Rob!

Ron G.

It has been such a pleasure and wonderful experience during my Austin Healey Bugeye project. BugeyeGuys has been my go to business for technical knowledge and experience, support, and parts, parts and more parts!

David and Samantha (Owners) are very nice and truly provide a great customer experience. The BugeyeGuy crew (Behind the Scenes) also are amazing and have answered several questions of mine during this journey as this is my first time working on an old British car. I have really caught the ‘Bug’.

The customer service and parts they provide are both top notch!