My Barn Find Resto begins

[sideache]

The modified 59 Sprite project is underway. I still haven't found anything on the Nel Fowbus modification. I think I will keep the squint eyes. Paint it back to red which was the original color of the mod. It needs some back end work.

 

[drooartz]

That's going to be a fun project, keep those pictures coming. The squint eyes make it look about as menacing as a Bugeye can look.

 

[jlaird]

heh, I like it too.

 

[JamesWilson]

Looks like a good project. Will you keep the headlights in the grille, or are there smaller ones you could mount in the squint holes?

 

[Shealey]

Cool

 

[zimmy]

wow, great progress! ...zzimmmy

 

[GreenHornet]

That is neat. I especially like the louvers on the side. Makes it look like a ralley car.

 

[tony barnhill]

What can I say? Bugeye's are 'cute'...this Bugeye is 'evil'!

 

[Bugeye58]

Instead of the typical happy, smiley face, this one has that "Hey! You talkin' to me?" look.
Nice.
Have you talked to Tom, at Speedwell, or John Sprinzel, about tracking down any info on the car?
Jeff

 

[sideache]

Jeff,

I haven't talked to Tom, how can i get a hold of him. I have been asking on some of the forums and a lot of the shops out here in SoCal.

James, At this point, I'll be keeping him as is. "Him" because my boys named the car Argyle The Red. We'll be painting him red.

 

[Bugeye58]

Cliff, Tom is out in San Fernando. His number is 818 898 9151. He may be able to help, or at least give you some hints as to who else to ask.
Jeff

 

[jlaird]

Looks like the metal is in good shape.

 

[BWillis]

Cliff,

It sure is looking good! You should post more photos since you have your own website! We all love to see the in progress pics. Its the best thing for motivation!

Ben in SC

 

[jlaird]

No way you can have too many pics while the work is going on. Later you can thin out to tell the story.

However, make hard copies for your Bugeye book of all of them.

 

[sideache]

A few more pics,

My trusty helpers.

The metal is in great shape overall. Extremely little rust, the benefits of finding a car in a California desert community. This is the reason that I got the car so cheap. The back end needs some body work. Body work that I'm not sure I can pull off. I can do some stuff, but this will test my skill level. I brought some photos by a local restoration place and it's currently out of my budget. So it may be up to me and a couple of buddies.

 

[BWillis]

That is one nasty looking rear quarter. Looks like you'll have to cut the boot floor out to fix that.

Ben

 

[Trevor Jessie]

YOW! That is not going to be an easy fix. There are no inexpensive "repair panels" for that area. You will need to accept a fair amount of fiberglass or find a solid tub to donate that section. If you try to work that out, I'd start with a "port-a-power" hydraulic ram. Make some templates from hard board from the other side so that you have a gauge to work towards. And... by all means... keep the pictures coming!

 

[jlaird]

Oh about 20 lbs of bondo and you can have tail fins to cover that up. Sigh.

Someone is always picking on the little cars. Hope they got what they had comming.

 

[JPSmit]

Is there a high school/ college near by with a body shop program - or a prison? might be an economical way to get the work done.

 

[GB1]

Nice work\pics.

I like the squinted look, kinda like a Clint Eastwood stare. Talking to Fiat "do you feel lucky".

Sorry for the departure, it would be cool if there was a way to make the side louvers functional.

Patrick