bugeye trouble spots

[clifish]

I am looking for a bugeye and want to know the trouble spots I need to look into? are there any particular body/frame sections that are particularly prone to rust? Any place or people that might have some for sale particularly in the northeast? What would one expect to pay for a good driver "3 footer"?

thx

 

[Rut]

Try Craigslist, eBay, search tempest, etc...also check with Bugeyeguy.com. The main thing is to be patient! Bugeyes tend to rust in the rear quarter panels, boot floor, floor pans, spring boxes/bulkhead/shut panel, sills, A pillars, and the bottom of the doors. Rust repair and paint are probably the most expensive thing you can do on a Bugeye followed by suspension and engine work.
Rut

 

[Trevor Jessie]

The rear springs boxes are the first place I check.

 

[nomad]

Agree with the above! The best thing you can do is to crawl under the car or have it put on a lift. You also will probably want an upgraded engine to a 1275 and a five speed is a plus as well. Grab the front wheels and see if their is play.

Bugeye guy always has some around but you will probably pay a premium.

Kurt

 

[JPSmit]

look under the bottom door hinge on the A-pillar - the rust may come through there instead of the outside of the car

 

[mightymidget]

Agree with door hinge inspection for rusted metal, easy to see hard for someone to doctor up, look underneath on back side of rear fenders along edge where trunk floor meets rear of car. Don'the just glance at body, stare at metal. Look for signs that bondo filler has been used to hide perforations of rust damage.

Honesty unless you know vehicle has been stripped and bad metal replaced you can figure on outer sills, lower A pillar, lower quarter extention inside and out. Floor pans. Rust free shell will be really hard to find, and come at a price, so what is on the affordable used market are Bugeyes that have been patched up and repainted.

It has not been that long ago that $5000.00 was a lot of money for nice Bugeye. So patching was no big deal.

I feel like the Bonnet is part that is most important. They are prone to rust, and repairs are expensive if you can find parts and person to make repairs. Most Bonnets for sell need work.