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Bugeye Project Stalled

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John Moore

John Moore

Luke Skywalker
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You guys are probably getting tired of me whining that my Bugeye project is stalled. I know I am! Basically I've got the body stripped, I need to get it blasted and replace the rockers, floors A & B pillers as well as the rear quarters and battery tray, etc, etc. I'm still collecting parts, but I keep thinking.... only if I could find a better tub!

I did speak to a well respected body man, Bob Ensign, (he did the Hemmings MGB) about doing the body work on my car. I haven't gotten an estimate yet, but I bet it would be a few arms and legs. Then again, I see listings like this on ebay with what appears to be a good body.... thinking I could strip and fix that was much easier! Then again for $5K that would go a long way to fixing my existing tub. Arrrg!

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...40&_trksid=m39&_nkw=300284883005&_nd1=&_fvi=1
 
Not sure why that link didn't work, but here is the auction number.

300284883005
 
That one has some old filler over rust. You'll end up replacing a lot of the same panels. Get Busy!
 

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Is "do it yourself" out of the question? DO what I did - after I dismantled my BE and found out it had rusted out floors, an A pillar on the right side that had to be replaced due to poorly repaired collison damage, both outer foot wells, both inner fenders, inner and out sills on both sides, cross member with jacking points, interior braces, exterior shunt panel (behind the interior bulkhead), the trunk pan and cut out rust to patch in new metal in places around the rear wheel arches - I bought a cheap MIG welder and had at it.
It has not been easy and I have been VERY discouraged at times but I am finally starting to make some decent progress and firmly believe I will complete it by this spring/summer...of course it's always spring/summer in Socal! :laugh:
Roy
PS - if you spot a BE for sale out here in Cali within a couple hundred miles I would look at it for you. One just sold up in SF for around 2K, the guy claimed no rust (who knows for certain) and the pics seemed to support his claim. Shipping would be around $700 or $800 so could be an option.
 
John, the DIY approach is a bit daunting, but certainly achievable for the average hobbiest. Take a look through the photos from Peter Ploof in Canada at what he did to restore his Bugeye. As he says, he probably wouldn't have done it except for the personal and emotional connection to the car, but if Peter could accomplish all that with a minimum of tools and experience then it's well within your reach.

https://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203663
 
I forgot to say that I am stripping my BE by hand because of budget issues; not something I recommend! So if you are getting yours stripped via sand blasting and/or chemical dipping, you are WAY ahead of the game....the rest is easy....sorta. :eeek: :thumbsup:
Roy
 
I'd be inclined to go with what you got. I found a (relatively) good deal at $30 per hour for the bodywork. Mine had 2 small holes, a dent on the back (new valance) chrome bumper conversion and some hole filling - side lights reverse lights etc. and 30 years of scratches and bumps. That (relatively) minor amount of work was 120 hours.

For me it was worth it as I want the car on the road this year. However, next time I will learn to weld and do body work.

However, consider two thoughts.

1. Assuming you pay even part for bodywork, you will be paying that on top of what you have put into a new shell. So, if you buy the ebay one for 5k, that is 5k you could have put into your existing shell.

2. You have a shell right now, if you get going even on a bit, soon it will be done. Five months (Jan-May) will put it on the road this summer. every month you look for lessens the chance it will be on the road soon and increases the chance you will completely loose heart.

See if a college around you as a bodywork course and either enroll or pay them to do the work. or, just get started
 
tony barnhill said:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...%3DR2%26fvi%3D1

I'll bet when you sandblast that one you'll be back to square one....that suckwer's in Connecticutt!! Rust heaven.....

& 'do-it-yourself' is not out of John's realm. I say sandblast yours & start welding...
Click to expand...

if anyone wants me to take a look at that bugeye, he lives only 1 town over. I would be glad to help anyone out.
 
Thanks guys for listening to me whine! You're right I should get busy with mine. It's just been tough. My new job requires that I travel a good deal, so when I do get him, I don't have the energy or time like I did when I restored my B. Maybe too, considering all the metal work I had to do on my MGB, I'm hesitant to do it on the bugeye! But I'm sure once I get going I'll be fine... I just have to get going. Maybe I just need a good kick in the butt.

Hey Joe, if you check it out let me know.
 
It will be easier than the MGB. Once the stripping and blasting is done it will be easy to work on. Nothing like the smell of arc at 2 am. :wink:
 
:lol:


And, John... remember: "A journey of a thousand miles" an' all that jazz. :thumbsup:
 
John Moore said:
Thanks guys for listening to me whine! You're right I should get busy with mine. It's just been tough. My new job requires that I travel a good deal, so when I do get him, I don't have the energy or time like I did when I restored my B. Maybe too, considering all the metal work I had to do on my MGB, I'm hesitant to do it on the bugeye! But I'm sure once I get going I'll be fine... I just have to get going. Maybe I just need a good kick in the butt.

Hey Joe, if you check it out let me know.
Click to expand...
Hey, John...you've got 2 sons; you need 2 little cars!!
 
John Moore said:
It's just been tough. My new job requires that I travel a good deal, so when I do get him, I don't have the energy or time like I did when I restored my B.
Click to expand...

I hear you - 50000 miles last year.

I realized that my problem was that I would say to myself, "I just need a morning or and afternoon and I'll be fine." Only problem was I never got one. I started doing 10 minutes or 20 minutes and an hour is bliss (Greys Anatomy/ Desperate Housewives/ etc, etc.)

I actually renovated a house 10 minutes at a time.

In other words, don't make us come down there. do one thing tonight and report back :cheers:
 
John, I'm at a standstill with my latest project but when I got to a similar point when building my Midget I just set the goal for myself to do one thing each day no matter how small on the car. Even if it was ordering a needed part or cleaning something small I soon found that I was seeing light at the end of the tunnel and my interest picked up again. Don't beat yourself though, it's a hobby, if it isn't fun then you might as well stay at work.
 
Good points Bill and John. I just need to keep plugging away. I guess it's hard at this point too to not see any real progress. Tho' my parts stash is growing.
 
clean and polish - clean and polish - great short term motivator
 
John,
My bugeye project has taken a different direction (after I broke a few piston rings). So I've built an engine this winter instead of doing the body work. This is fine with me because I still do not have the suspension sorted to my satisfaction and the wiring harness needs to be finished. In reality, I might just be procrastinating doing the bodywork. When I run out of other things to "improve" on the car I may be forced to do the cosmetics. So, in a sense, I can relate (especially since I have two young children that get much of my free time).
 
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