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Grandpa's Bugeye

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Nice job.
 
Seano-

Thanks for the photos- the original setup is great to see. I also have a grandpa car, but I'm the grandpa- refreshing the car after 40 years of occasional driving.

I've been pulling things apart for 4 months. If I can offer information on parts sourcing, etc., let me know. You will be amazed at what is available.I'm at the Jersey shore, but my son is in Port Washington.

I noticed that your heater box seems to be a copper color. Mine is as well, but I'm given to understand that they were black. I'll be painting mine shortly and am still wondering. Is the reddish color on your box rust, or actual copper paint?

Thanks much for the response.

Michael
 
michael,

that reddish color is a bit of surface rust and the original color is black.

I've driven the car a bit and nearly everything works after sitting for 30 years! ...lights, turn signals, etc the only two thing that do not work are the brake lights and the horn. amazing!

I'm now getting ready to do the restoration. all the chrome has been removed and sent to the be redone. complete interior has arrived along with exhaust, wiring harness and a ton of other bits and pieces.

should be fun! :smile:
 
Heater box should be black.
 
Sean

If you are willing to make a trip to NJ or PA here are some considerations for having work done:

Repair/Service
Steve's Auto Service- Morristown, NJ- I have heard good things.
Steel Wings- Hopewell, NJ- this is where I have had work done, they are very good and know Bugeyes (plus there are always an assortment of vintage Jags, Aston Martins, Jensens, Lotus, MGs and Morgans to look over)

Restoration
K&T Vintage Sports Car- Allentown PA
Motorcar Garage- Mapleshade, NJ
 
Seano-

Thanks- my heater box definitely had a layer of copper colored something on it, but it is now shiny black.

My car was very similar to yours, except I had put about 50 miles a year on for the last 20 years. Your photos will help me reassemble the car- almost ready, with absolutely everything replaced or rebuilt except the differential. Still explaining the final cost to my wife... 5x's my offhand estimate, and no body work!

Looking forward to the new 1275 after 42 years with the 948.

The worst part of this whole process has been the countless hours of removing grease from absolutely everything. The last bit, the engine compartment, is almost clean.

I look forward to watching your progress. This forum is the best and most helpful for any questions you may have.

Michael
 
just finished pulling the engine. Should be ready to ship to Hap in a day or two. Supercharger off to George early next week, transmission getting dropped off on Saturday. Big thanks to Jay...we got a lot done and everything came apart relatively easy for a 50 year old car! I also just uploaded 28 new pics to my photo album in my signature.

P1010134.jpg
 
Looks like the "Mother of all Screwdrivers" sitting by the voltage regulator! Good to see another car coming back! Don't forget to keep the original smoke in the electrical wires.
 
bunch more pics uploaded, so check out my signature link :smile:

Engine went to the Poconos and I should have it back mid-Feb.

I got the transmission back - as you can probably tell, it is a smoothcase - but now with 1275 gearset in it! Quantum Mechanics in Oxford, CT did the upgrade and it looks like new! Hopefully this upgrade will make the trans more servicable and dependable.

Bonnet is back from blasting and is in primer. Looks pretty good, but there is some work to be done.

Got some of the chrome back and was pretty unhappy with it. Sent it back to the plater, so we'll see how that goes...

still collecting parts and will begin to put the interior together from the Moss kit. Check out the markings on the backside of the dash - the numbers match the body number.

IMG00279-20111227-2100.jpg
 
That bonnet doesn't look bad at all.

What was the issue with the plating? Was it a local shop or did you ship it off?
 
Trevor Jessie said:
That bonnet doesn't look bad at all.

What was the issue with the plating? Was it a local shop or did you ship it off?
Click to expand...

chrome was done locally in NYC metro area. The guy had done some work for me before on some new castings, In this case they did virtually no prep before plating my parts. The grill still shows pits and even new chrome flaking off the rust that was not removed. pretty disappointing really.
 
What did they charge you to re-chrome the grill?
 
I never discussed price when I gave them the items. Just had them do them. The front bumper, 4 overriders, 6 lens bezels, bonnet t-handle, the grill, the air cleaner and a bunch of other small bits cost me $875. When I complained, he said he "gave me a deal" - I never wanted "a deal" and wanted them done right. I think he made a comment like "well, it's not like you are redoing a bentley" Also, the backsides of all the bumpers was not polished and the rear overrriders still have rust inside.
 
pretty cool donn!

I picked up the supercharger and oiler from George Folchi today. His work is amazing!

DSCN1282.jpg


DSCN1278.jpg
 
Wow!! Supercharger and oiler look new! Very nice ,is the inside as nice as the out?

Kurt.
 
cool markings on the back of the dash:
H, heater
RC, rev counter (tach)
ww, windshield washer
MPH, miles per hours speedo

Man, you got all the options on that baby!
Scott in CA
 
That looks brand new, nice.
 
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