A disassembled sprite takes up a lot of space!

[drooartz]

It is remarkable how much space a disassembled Bugeye takes up! Spent some time today getting all my Bugeye's bits gathered together in preparation for sale, and it's a lot of stuff! 4 shelves, seats, windshield, hard top, bumper, 5 extra wheels, 2 engines, 2 transmissions. Plus the car. Quite a bit of volume for such a small car.

 

[JPSmit]

that's a great project for someone.

I realize you want to focus on the B but have you considered putting it together before you sell? It doesn't look like you are far off and it will be worth a lot more.

 

[drooartz]

It will be a great project for someone. Unfortunately for me, all the mechanical bits need refurbishment including the engine. Just too much for me to do, and a reasonable expense still for some of the things (like the engine) that I won't do myself. Someone will get a great deal on what will be a really nice car when done.

I really struggled with the decision over the last few months, but having lived with it for a few days now it feels like the right move for me. Because I never really drove the car before I took it apart, I really don't have much emotional attachment to it.

No regrets, as it will be great for someone and I'm happy to have played my part in bringing the little car back to life.

 

[JPSmit]

makes sense to me - and the B is so lovely

 

[drooartz]

makes sense to me - and the B is so lovely

and your fault if I remember correctly.

I've got a pretty good line on a possible sale, buyer is just figuring out shipping -- and I'm figuring out packing. Not a done deal but so far so good. Logistics will be tricky but workable.

 

[drooartz]

Was able to get things more condensed today. Not too bad, actually. Buyer is sending me new windshield rubber so I can get that and the hardtop back on the car for shipping.

 

[JPSmit]

Someone is getting an amazing project!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Drew,

Sorry to here that you are selling your BE. A lot of blood, sweat and tears was spent on this car. Bugsy spends most of his time sitting idle this time of year in Tampa, too hot to drive without AC or rainy. Last August, I bought an '04 Miata MAZDASPEED with the factory turbo that receives the majority of top down time and it is a joy to drive. The thought has crossed my mind lately on the need to simplify and free up garage space. Our 3 car garage is stuffed to the rafters and I got rid of my 2015 Accord Touring this week. We did not need 4 cars for 2 people. But I love my Bugeye. Several friends locally have sold their BE's after owning for many, many years. I'm still spry enough and the right size to get in and out. But at '72, the time will come when I know it's time to sell. If I was in the market...I know yours is a good one. Good Luck.

 

[drooartz]

I'm calling this the "honesty of aging" even though at 50 I'm not all that old. Still, I have come to the conclusion that I'm just not a restorer. I like fixing things, and love driving, but a full restoration is just not for me. I'm just not willing to put in the time, and given I work slowly I'm not willing to set aside a couple of years worth of nights and weekends.

My wife and I are both in a downsizing mode these days. She's been clearing out some stuff, and I sold my motorcycle a few months ago and have a few guitars to move on as well. It's not about the money, it's just about having less stuff so we can be a bit more free to do more. Have less, do more. That's the plan.

 

[Bayless]

I wish mine had been that sorted when I got it. Yes, someone is getting a great project.

 

[JPSmit]

I'm calling this the "honesty of aging" even though at 50 I'm not all that old. Still, I have come to the conclusion that I'm just not a restorer. I like fixing things, and love driving, but a full restoration is just not for me. I'm just not willing to put in the time, and given I work slowly I'm not willing to set aside a couple of years worth of nights and weekends.

My wife and I are both in a downsizing mode these days. She's been clearing out some stuff, and I sold my motorcycle a few months ago and have a few guitars to move on as well. It's not about the money, it's just about having less stuff so we can be a bit more free to do more. Have less, do more. That's the plan.

I do understand. I actually quite like the restoring bit but am also realizing that my energy for it is diminishing. As we are now in full on packing mode (end of the month) we are also getting rather ruthless about stuff.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

I am 70 and just now realizing I need to do the same.

 

[drooartz]

Another factor is that I never really made a connection with this specific car. I remember even asking on the forum if I should do the body or mechanicals first, and I did decide to do the bodywork first. Made full sense from a restoration standpoint, but it meant that I only drove the Sprite maybe 10 miles before tearing it apart. So no great memories to motivate me to improve things, just a list of projects to do. All the while I was making memories with the Morris and eventually the MGB.

All this packing has made me thing a bunch about my decision to sell the project, and I still feel good about it. Moving it all out will give me back a surprisingly large amount of space in the shop, and a bit more budget to keep improving/fixing/driving my MGB and Morris. Also takes a big time commitment off my plate, and I can already feel that will be nice.

 

[drooartz]

Well, got the wire transfer yesterday so the Bugeye officially belongs to someone else now. Shipper should be picking up the car and parts this weekend. Bittersweet moment for sure, but happy it's off to someone that will do the work to get it finished.

 

[Bayless]

Well, congratulations and condolences at the same time.

 

[drooartz]

Well, congratulations and condolences at the same time.

That's exactly how I feel, well said

 

[NutmegCT]

Congratulations - and Condolences -

 

[drooartz]

Shipper picked up the car today. Nice fellow, took good care of the car and all the bits. Tonight I'm lifting a glass of fine Scotch to toast Penny Bugeye and her next adventure.

(I'm in the white shirt)

 

[JPSmit]

glad it is going to a good home - and enjoy the scotch!

 

[Randyz]

Wow, great looking Bugeye! It would be hard for me to abandon a project that looks so close to completion, but I understand your thinking. I downsized my British car hobby many years ago. I had a driveway, garage, and part of a friend's airplane hangar full of projects. I think I was 50-years-old when I realized that I was never going to get to them all. There were Sprites, Midgets, MGBs, and an MGC. Too many drivetrains to maintain and store away spares. So I sold or gave away anything that couldn't go on a sidecurtain Spridget and decided to build two Bugeyes.

Speaking of guitars, I've currently got (56) in the collection, but I'd like to downsize to (50). That's sounds pretty reasonable, doesn't it?