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Bugeye value

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Rut

Rut

Obi Wan
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When you least expect to find one they tend to pop up. I've found a '59 BE in rough shape with great sills, A & B posts, decent bonnet, no interior, needs floors, a 1275 and original 948, 2 tranny's in parts (rusted), 10 wheels, and various spare parts. The car can be restored, but I'm mainly interested in the 1275 and ribcase and a few bits and pieces. What should I offer? I missed my opportunity to take pictures and won't be back unless I make a deal.
Thoughts?
Rut
 
No WAGs out there? What's a good bonnet worth? A 1275? I want your ideas on what to pay!
Thanks, Rut
 
Bonnet around $500
I bought my rebuildable 1275 along with a rusted out 72 midget containing a second 1275 all for $200.

I think a restorable Bugeye though is worth at least $2500 in lousy condition, and up from there.

I bought mine for around $5800, but didn't shop a whole lot. It was pretty straight and and had new floors, minimal to no rust, complete car, not all together.

I'd say the car you describe would be somewhere between $2500 and $4000, prob closer to $2500 given condition. That's my WAG.

Fred
 
If there's no interior, you will need to find seats. Real bugeye seats in decent condition could be hard to find and pricey when you do find them.

One big issue, which paradoxically may not affect price so much but will strongly affect the costs of restoration, is how complete it is. The cost of all those little bits and pieces adds up pretty fast.
 
Depending on what other buts and pieces you need, you might want to give this one a pass. 1275's and transmissions are readily available and for much much cheaper than a restorable BE is perceived to be worth. In other words you'll be paying a premium for what you don't need.

Or to put it another way, if $2500 was the going rate for an restorable BE, $2500 will buy a very decent amount of Hap's services.
 
What are they asking for it? I agree that if you are going to build it up from a rough in-pieces car, you have to be ready to spend what it costs to replace every separate part that you are going to need. That can add up quick. If you want to do an extensive rebuild, which for many of us is a fun project, I say go for it. If you just want an engine, I'd just look for that. Jim
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at around $500 give or take for the car and can put it in the barn for another rainy day project. I've been offered 1275s for $200, but they always seem to be too far away. I really need the front suspension (rebuildable), 1275, ribcase, and some bits and pieces and from the prices I've seen a parts car is the way to go. This one just happens to be a bugeye. Most of the parts cars in my area are in the $500 price range and don't have everything I need.
Thanks, Rut
 
You can likely get $350-$500 or more for a decent bonnet. Front suspension wishbones on BEs are not as heavy duty as those out of a RB Spridget and likely not rebuildable. And BE's have front drums not disc brakes. The value is in the bonnet.
 
Jim,
Thanks for the info. The front suspension is from a later disc brake car and looks pretty weathered, but usable. I couldn't tell if the rear brakes were old or new style and most everything is disassembled and in boxes or inside the car. The current owner bought it a year ago to restore and has a high skill level evidenced by a beautiful hot rod he built. He has several cars in various stages of completion and I wish I had his skills. Very old school panel beater, mechanic, and painter. The car was 'raced' from what he said and the 1275 is supposed a race prepped motor. I did see an aluminum flywheel and a few other interesting bits on the motor, but it was in a dark shed and hard to see all the details. The bonnet is not without its dings and it has a small brace inside the wheel arch to support a crack. It was mounted to the car with door hinges welded to the front frame to make it a forward tilt.
Thanks, Rut
 
Decent BE bonnets have sold on eBay in the past year for $200 or less
 
And I saw one recently with an $1,800 asking price. Someone is smoking something. Something about a sucker born every minute.
 
Sounds a bit rough, $1000 to $2000.
 
I don't know where you can buy a decent bonnet for that kind of money. I have been looking for a decent bonnet for years and I have had no luck. I purchased two and have them both at the body shop know trying to make into one decent bonnet. Shipping is very high on them also. I will have well over $1500.00 when done.
 
...and that's why a $200 bonnet is not a $200 bonnet. and why an $1800 one is sometimes a bargain.
 
Soooooo, you guys are saying that if I pay $500 for the whole thing I should be ok. That is, if the engines are still rebuildable, trannys ok, body rough, etc.? I guess I've seen worse parts cars for more money, but there's just something about buying a bugeye for a parts car that makes me feel uneasy.
Thanks, Rut
 
Rut said:
Soooooo, you guys are saying that if I pay $500 for the whole thing I should be ok. That is, if the engines are still rebuildable, trannys ok, body rough, etc.? I guess I've seen worse parts cars for more money, but there's just something about buying a bugeye for a parts car that makes me feel uneasy.
Thanks, Rut
Click to expand...


If not you...............Who?

If not now...............When?
 
+1 the reality of this hobby is that some will give their lives so that others might live - not everyone is salvageable. Though i suppose you could scavange what you need and sell the shell.
 
Rut, if the body is restoreable it too is sellable. I can think of a time some years ago when I would have loved to have a restorable one.
 
There is no such thing as a non rebuildable bugeye. Have you seen what some people on this board have started with?
 
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