Bugeye rear onto square sprite?

[Jayrz]

Previous post just got me thinking.
I understand the BE bonnet will go onto my 1963 Midget, but how difficult is it to graft on the rear end too?

Anyone done this?

Jay"RZ"

CYS twr/rdr

 

[aeronca65t]

Not a simple job by any means, but *possible* (hey, anything is possible with enough time and money). If you're *very* good at bodywork, welding, etc, it is a task that could be done.

The overall size of the rear area is about the same and the width is close, but the superstructure (underneath) is somewhat different. The leaf spring mount area is completely different, for example.

Though, I'm not sure why anyone would do this?
I'd hate to ruin a save-able Frog to do this (in fact, if you find a Mk 1 with a wrecked front section, you'd be better off to weld a square-body subframe onto it and add a fiberglass Bugeye nose).

For the record, you can buy the front and back sections of Bugeyes and square bodies in fiberglass from various vendors.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I have of course seen BE backends and bonnets mounted to square sprite frames. Since the MKII is almost completely the same, it only makes a BE. The later cars with roll-up windows and fold down tops are a little more difficult, but it has been done. I have even seen pictures of one where they retained the rear seat area and installed a trunk lid. I personally wouldn't waste my time with it. However a fiberglass front and rear would be nice.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Spridettech makes a fiberglass rear BE bodywork, just for folks who want to do this.

 

[racingenglishcars]

For those unfortunate few on This side of the pond, it has to be Sebringsprite.com for glass body parts.