Bugeye Hard Top Parts

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

I'm in the process of having a factory hard top restored for a Bugeye. I'm in need of a bit of assistance, if you can provide it:

- Can someone provide some photos of the inside section, near where the doors open, to illustrate how the top is secured? Also, any photos from around the window profiles.

- Does anyone know where I can purchase the weather strip that goes between the windshield and the hardtop?

- Does anyone have available for sale the attaching hardware for attaching the top behind the doors (where the soft top frame usually goes)?

Thanks,

Mike Pennell
Basrah, Iraq

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Mike,

Try Bugeye Guy,com. I was on his site and he seems to have all of the hardtop parts and pieces including Lexan Windows. New front windshield brackets as well.

Several other sources.

https://www.scparts.co.uk/index/lan...=clickable_vertikal.tpl&artikeldetailtop=-500

https://www.spridgetguru.com/AKD3514/AKD3514BL.pdf

Some parts are available from moss europe.
https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=1677

Good luck, I will eventually restore my BE Hardtop but need to complete rotisserie work long before I get to the hardtop.

 

[apbos]

https://www.macgregorukcarparts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Sprite-mk1-top Mac Gregor has all the seals for the hardtop. Scparts diagram does not show the plate that the window bracket bolts too. The bracket plate has the top's serial number. I think AH spares also has some parts. I can get some picture from my top late if you need them.

Paul

 

[Trevor Jessie]

This also depends on the version of the top you are working with.

 

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

Thanks for the info. It is all very helpful.

To my knowledge, I am working with a factory hard top with a glass rear window. That's about all I know right now.

Is it possible that someone can tell me what Part #8 in this image is? And, what does it do?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I think #8 is a mirror image to #9

 

[Trevor Jessie]

BTW #17 is a clip to hold the weatherstrip.

 

[mxp01]

Thanks, Trevor.

Have you, or anyone else, tried this 3D printing? That might be the answer to my problem.

Mike Pennell

 

[Trevor Jessie]

3D printing is not what you need.
Simplest solution is to find some used ones.
Beyond that, you need a sample set and have a decorative iron work place make some for you.

 

[nomad]

And I thought 17 was owner applied! I think I would contact a fore mentioned "Bugeye guy" to see what he has. If anyone has the fancy wing nut I could use one!

Kurt.

 

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

To begin: I'm not sure what the Middle East has against the British Car Forum, but I was recently in Amman, then Baghdad, and am down in Basrah and no of the local internet service providers will allow me to access this site. I can only connect from my office (so I wil make this very brief).

I am looking to fabricate parts #8 & 9 in the illustration above. Does anyone have a way they can assist me with this? (i.e. - Providing a spare that I can return? Having the measurements they could share? A detailed drawing?

Nothing would have to come to me in Iraq, I could simply direct it to the restoration shop in Tennessee.

Please let me know,

Mike Pennell

 

[apbos]

I could make a sketch of each and send you a PDF file and pictures. My top is off the car now. It would have wait till the weekend as my work days are pretty long this week.
paul

 

[AN5Sprite]

Fabricate? There's got to be some around...

Since it's not easy to make calls etc from where you are, I'll do what I can to help you find some - if you want.

 

[mxp01]

Paul & Steve:

Thank you for your kind offers of assistance!

I am happy to pursue both courses of action (attempting to locate some still available, but pursuing the fabrication option as an alternative). Please let me know how I can be of assistance.

Thanks again,

Mike Pennell

 

[apbos]

Mike
i think I would have to get an engineer to sketch these. It is essentially angle iron. But it has been bent and trimmed in multiple curves.

I need some help how to sketch these things out to give a machinist the ability to fabricate them.

Help!
Paul

 

[AN5Sprite]

My update is this:

Called BugeyeGuy. Left message, call not returned.
Checked with the two major parts hoards I know about and came up with nothing at one and no reply from the other.
Asked a local friend with contacts. He had nothing.
I see on AH Spares that they don't list the part, but I wonder if that really means they don't cary it. They supply shells, windows, clamps etc. I think you should call them directly and ask.

I'm still thinking about where else I can go, sorry I found nothing so far.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Steve,

How about Ashley Hilton / Hinton in the UK. I know he's on Facebook and seems to be intrigued in making some of these obscure parts.

 

[apbos]

My update is this

I'm still thinking about where else I can go, sorry I found nothing so far.

I seem to remember one source also. How about Frogeye Spares in the UK?
Paul

 

[mxp01]

Gentlemen:

Thanks for all of your help. I'll try contacting the two new contacts you mentioned above. In the meantime, I sent the photos to the guy doing the restoration. I'm hoping to hear back from him to determine if they will do the trick. Personally, I saw the photos as an excellent resource and he should, likely, be able to fabricate a replacement.

I, too, tried Bugeye Guy, but he didn't have anything. Also, I tried a number of other BE suppliers in the US and UK, but had no luck.

Thanks so much. This has been extremely helpful.

Mike Pennell

 

[apbos]

Mike
I knew I had seen a mention of hardtop parts somewhere. Here it is. They were being made in Fresno last year. Here is the thread. https://bugeyeparts.com/forum/topics/new-bmc-style-factory-hardtop-bugeye-sprite-only
Paul