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Tips

Bugeye Side Curtains

lbcfan

Jedi Trainee
Offline
I have the original flappy plastic side curtains. Of course the vinyl is opaque with age. Although I've been using the plexiglass sliding windows forever, I'd like to restore and use the originals.

Does anyone know of a seller for a kit to re-cover the metal frames on the early side curtains?

Thanks.
 
Well, just learned something from Horler: "Fabric-covered side curtains with Vybak windows were standard equipment without a hardtop. (based on the photo, these did not have sliders).
Aluminium-framed sidescreens with a sliding perspex back window were standard with a hardtop. These also became an optional alternative to the fabric side curtains until between March/May 1960, when all Sprites adopted this type of sidescreen as standard equpment"
He refers to your side curtains as "Initially, simple side curtains consisted of a Vybak sheet edged with black Vynide formed around a steel frame"
Good fortune!
Doug
 
Doug-

Glad I could contribute to your education. :^)

I would actually prefer using the originals. They look better, fit better, and don't rattle. I guess I'll have to try a local shop to refurbish them.

Michael
 
Hi "lbcfan" -

On our forurm is a member named Nelson. He lives near me and is the original owner of a 62 or 64 Sprite. He's gone through this and knows who to buy from. Wait until he checks in.

Claims they work like a charm.

George
 
May I add my question about side curtins? I seem to have a few of the side windows with sliding plexiglass. Are they all the same size? I have a Bugeye but not sure if I have the correct size.

Thank you
Paul
 
There were two different sizes due to two different hardtops offered. One is BMC the other was from Donald Healey, who had a parts division for lots of goodies. The BMC hardtop is the most common,but the DH one used larger side screens. They are rare to come across though since most tops were BMC. The tops are styled identically otherwise, so you probably wouldn't notice the difference without them side by side or if you tried to fit the wrong side curtains.
 
Michael,

Someone I know in Georgia told me he had his redone recently and that they came out great. If you are interested in finding out more, contact me offlist and I'll see if I can get photos and contact info
 
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