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Going to see a Bugeye

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tosoutherncars

tosoutherncars

Jedi Knight
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Hi all,

I've just about got the '78 ready for the road... and along comes an interesting wrinkle.

A fellow here in town (Ottawa) is selling a Bugeye, described as follows below.

My questions are these:

What should I be looking out for, that differs from the 1500?

What's the market like for decent project BEs, price-wise?

I'll post a couple of links to pictures, I'd love to hear general thoughts (here on the board) and/or specific advice (perhaps best sent directly to me). I'm not looking for a long-term project (already have one!) but I'd rather drive a BE than a '78!

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION
>>I purchased this car 6 years ago from a neighbor who had it stored in her garage for the previous 12 years. According to her it was her husbands toy that went into the garage in perfect running condition. When I purchased it, it started right up after replacing the battery. I then proceeded to partially tear it down and it has sat like that for the last 6 years.

>>The car has a front Disk brake conversion done and has a 1275cc engine (engine needs work). I have all parts that were removed and the car comes with the following.

fiberglass hard top
Soft top
Split tonneau cover
side curtains
roll bar
replacement gas tank (original had rotted)
To be clear this car needs to be restored and is currently partially torn apart (not running!).The body and floors are sound with no holes

YOW3856323.1.jpg


https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/tosoutherncars/Midget/BEsideviewwithhardtop.jpg

https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/tosoutherncars/Midget/BErearquarterview.jpg

https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/tosoutherncars/Midget/BEenginebay.jpg

https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/tosoutherncars/Midget/BEcockpit.jpg
 
And what is he asking?

two or three K tops.

Needs everything including a new dash. A complete strip down and clean up and paint and parts.
 
Hi Jack,

He hasn't posted a price, but from chatting with him, I think he'd probably like to see $3K-ish. I have *no* intention of a strip down / resto... just wondering about getting it roadworthy and driving it for a few summers.
 
Himm and hawww and offer 2K cash. Expect I could have it on the road preaty darn quick. Not preaty but on the road.

Have the cash where he can see the 100 dollar bills.

Try not to laugh in his face when he takes it. Running on the road worth about 6K
 
jlaird said:
Himm and hawww and offer 2K cash. Expect I could have it on the road preaty darn quick. Not preaty but on the road.

Have the cash where he can see the 100 dollar bills.

Try not to laugh in his face when he takes it. Running on the road worth about 6K
Click to expand...

One of the things that stuns me is how much more expensive cars seem to be here in Canada - possibly exchange rate (no longer an issue /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif ) more likely the fact that many have rusted and gone. Eg. saw a '75 Midget yesterday - oxidized paint/ torn driver's seat/ badly peeling paint in the usual rust forming spots/ top good - no plates but apparantly runs. Asked the guy how much - 4k he says with a straight face. All I could do not to laugh

Beat a hasty retreat as he didn't appear to understand the reality of his situation

Good luck with the Bugeye!
 
Looking at the interior, it looks to maybe already have a five speed conv. If it does, there is another grand it is worth. With the pictures, if there isn't any real rust issues, the car is worth the money. It has already had the later masters put on, probably when he did the disc brake changeover. What about all those switches on the upper dash? A very interesting car. One last thought. We get into this discusion which has only one answer, and that is what you want out of the car. If your dream is to have a "stock" car, this is not the one for you. But, this car has been modified to make it a more roadable car. It is not stock, which I see as a good thing. Also, a hardtop is also an asset for.
 
I expect I could find room in my garage for this one. I agree if 1275 and 5 speed another grand is not bad.

Ok guys 3 total you talked me in to it, but darn it negoatate a bit. You know he will take a bit less.
 
Body structure is quite similar to the later Midgets, so all the usual things to look for apply. I'll agree with the above, if the car is structurally sound, than 3-4k seems in the ballpark -- though local price issues always apply. 1275 and discs don't really affect the price much either way with Bugeyes, as lots of folks make those swaps (and they are reversible if desired).

Good luck, let us know how things check out.
 
Poke around the rear spring hangers and boxes. If there is rust through there, then the car will need tedious replacement panels/boxes welded in.

Is it just me, or does the curve on the front of the sill look a little flat? Maybe it is just the shadow.
 
The dash has been modified but I see nothing wrong with that unless you want it to be an original show car! There is quite a list of things that are unoriginal with it, including the wrong seats, steering-wheel, later power-train etc. For a daily driver with a lot of fun potential I would say it is definitly worth some consideration! The lack of a complete cooling/heating system is a bargaining point on price (lack of a heater might concern me if I were in Canada!). As stated above, check for rust at the usual places, i.e. the rear suspension attachment points and rust in the floors and rocker panels (though they look pretty good in the pictures).
 
Excellent points, guys... KC and Mike, I'm NOT at all worried about originality. (Although those horrible wing mirrors would be the first things to go!)

I'll pay close attention to the rear suspension... and report back with my findings!

And... short of shifting into each gear, how the heck can I tell whether it's got a 5-speed conversion? Adapter plate between the trans and bellhousing? Would this be the Rivergate conversion, or? What are the interior 'tells'?
 
Everyone notice the multicolour vacuum gauge on there? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif I love those. Always wanted to add one to the '78.

So, assuming that it looks decent...

- Complete rust check.
- Compression check?

What else?

From the pics, looks like the front suspension bushings have gone... the BEs don't have more camber than the later cars by nature, do they?
 
Noop, but 50 bucks will buy all the rubber bits.

A frames and such extra of course.
 
The BE had a metal cage which the shifter boot fit on. Yours has just the leather wrap to the shifter. The conversion makes it very hard to use this metal part. If it has the five speed it will have the H shifting pattern and a five gear up and to the right, reverse right and down. If the car is a roller, you could check and make sure it is in gear in each of the gears. The conversion has a transition plate between the tranny and motor that is about 1" aluminum. God luck....
 
apbos said:
I will play The Great Carnac and say his reserve is over $3400 and the car has a very interesting roll bar. https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Austin-He...sspagenameZWDVW I knew I saw the car before.

Paul
Click to expand...

With winter fast approaching, and the need to store the car, hopefully his pricepoint has shifted a little! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Yes, a Bugeye with a 1275 definitely exercises the smile muscles of the face in a big way.

I just wish my exhaust wasn't so loud.
 
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