• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Help me price my Bugeye?

Jimflorida

Jedi Trainee
Offline
I have am just completing my 1 1/2 year rebuild on my 1959 Bugeye and am moving and may not be able to take it with me. I have replaced everything on this car: new paint on a rust-free body, rebuilt engine and head done by Hap, datsun five speed and conversion kit by Gerard. I rebuilt the brakes, all new lines, new m/c, new starter, new distributor, new alternator, new wiring, new seats, interior, carpet, and cloth top. New coated manifold, stainless exhaust, etc. This is not a show car because I did not build it to be one, but I can't think of hardly anything that is not new and top-notch. I have a project folder with $15k in receipts. The problem that I see, if I have to sell my BE, is that very nice ones seem to go for $12-13k at best. Is that the right ballpark as far as what it would sell for?
Thanks, Jim
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    182.4 KB · Views: 147

Boink

Yoda
Bronze
Country flag
Offline
$12-15 wouldn't include a 5-speed or the very recent work (with receipts). Beautiful car. You didn't mention if it has disk brakes and a 1275? Does it have a top and tonneau? I'm impressed with all the little things. Does it have a newer tach (given it has an alternator)? How about wheels/tires?
 

Gerard

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
$12-15 wouldn't include a 5-speed or the very recent work (with receipts). Beautiful car. You didn't mention if it has disk brakes and a 1275? Does it have a top and tonneau? I'm impressed with all the little things. Does it have a newer tach (given it has an alternator)? How about wheels/tires?

As I recall, Jim also got his 3/4" MC from me as well, so it does have disc brakes, as well as a 1275. Looks like he has a wire wheel conversion too. He has the rear seal kit installed on his 1275 as well.
 
OP
J

Jimflorida

Jedi Trainee
Offline
Yes, as Gerard said, it has the 1275. New tires on painted wire wheels. Renovated tach from Palo Alto Speedo. Have a new red top but no tonneau. The only thing I did not do, being here in Florida, was to install any of the heater components.
 

Jim_Gruber

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
So is this car really a Mk II? With a BE bonnet and some VIN swaps? I agree if all has been done as described and fit and finish are correct, his could/should go higher.
 
Country flag
Offline
If it is well sorted, then I think 16-17 would be typical. Look at bugeyeguy.com
 

Jim_Gruber

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
The prices for our cars continue to rise. No fixing and flipping will never be profitable but if this trend continues we might be able to approach breaking even assuming our Labor Cost is $0. Besides what else do you have to do with your time. Cogitating on fixing X? on your Spridget relieves the stress of daily life. So if you take that approach this is a therapeutic hobby and we always need to pay for therapy one way or another.
 

AN5Sprite

Jedi Knight
Offline
Jim Gruber, if I was you I'd buy this car, sell the other one you've got and forget about the one you've been chasing... C'mon man!


 

smaceng

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
I built up my '60 BE from a painted tub. I have a 5-speed, 1275, Hap wheels, extra wheels and tires, all new road equipment, all tools, etc. It is a show car and it has won. I thought originally I would get $20K +, but in reality, $17-18K is more likely. At some point I need to clear this great car out, and will not recover the $24-25K costs. It is a great car, I just like building them more! Scott in CA
 

bug_sixty

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Oh, so, we're going down the lines of a therapeutic healthcare deduction on my next tax return....I like it.... Any Doc. out there for some PX help???
 

Jim_Gruber

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Sure Steve, I'd do it Wednesday morning with 6 good numbers at 11:00 PM on Tuesday night.

Instead I'll stay grounded in reality. Still waiting to hear on my offer for Bugsy III.

Your Check BTW is in my pocket and hopefully will be deposited today.
 

BlueMax

Jedi Warrior
Offline
I would say that pricing a Bugeye would depend on the overall restoration. Was the car a rotisserie restoration? What type of paint and body preparation was done, not all are the same? What types of paint and primers were used, not all are the same? What modifications were done to the engine, not all are the same? What type of transmission was fitted was it freshly overhauled too? Was the electrical wiring updated to a more modern car of today? There are so many factors to this list that can drastically influence the value of a car like yours. And last, the individual who’s looking. You would want an individual that would rather pay for someone else work than try to take on the job himself, he would be the smart one. Most have the grandeur of restoring one of these cars but I would estimate that less than half never make it to first base. Congratulations on your completion of the car!! This car shows well and is nicely done!!
 

Jim_Gruber

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Jim,

Can you post a pic of the interior. This is the exact color scheme I am planning for Bugsy II including the Red Stripes. I'm curious so I can post a picture on my wall at work for my long term mental health therapy expense. Thanks.
 

AN5Sprite

Jedi Knight
Offline
Jim,
Hey man, it's your money. Reality is pay now or pay more later. Either way you're going to pay. That's all I'm sayin'.

Back to the car: The major determining factor in the price is; project or running/driving car. No matter how good the parts are if it's in pieces it's worth less than if it's drivable. This I have proven to myself as both a buyer and a seller.
 
OP
J

Jimflorida

Jedi Trainee
Offline
image.jpgHi Jim. Here is a picture or two of the red interior. I also included a picture of the engine bay.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    188.4 KB · Views: 130
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    175.3 KB · Views: 145
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    180.8 KB · Views: 113

Boink

Yoda
Bronze
Country flag
Offline
Gorgeous. I'd want to be getting $17-20K! But I can well imagine topping out at $16K right now.
 
Country flag
Offline
You should name your car "Snickers" because no matter how you slice it, it's nuts!! That is a beautiful ride!! :D
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
S Help Setting Selling Price Spridgets 6
B TR4/4A Some Help with Setting Distributor Triumph 47
N Wanted Help with car identification Other British Classifieds 2
I MGB Help! What is this part for? MG 13
P Please help identify this tourer Spotted 13
angelfj1 TR5/TR250 TR250 Need Help identifying wires (2 - black) feeding starting solenoid Triumph 6
C MGB More Weber help needed MG 27
V 96 Chimera help needed TVR 1
V Help with identifying morris eight Other British Cars 12
J MGB help, turn signals do not work MG 3
J MGB HELP, my horn does not work! MG 8
I MGB Alternator help MG 0
S TR2/3/3A TR2 door help! Triumph 2
A TR2/3/3A VERY wobbly TR3 - help needed!!!! Triumph 53
P General Tech Positive Earth?? Very confused. A little help? Triumph 19
Texas TR3 TR2/3/3A Convertible top webbing installation help? Triumph 5
apbos The next rabbit hole. Help ID the chassis. Racing 26
R Help With Spridget Speedometers Spridgets 4
apbos Help Identify this car chassis Racing 20
tr6web TR6 Sputtering help Triumph 6
R TR6 Help: Brake Part Source or …. ? Triumph 1
B Help for Old Men Restoration & Tools 15
Basil Admn Note Our neighbors need emergency help Triumph 0
Basil Our neighbors need emergency help Spridgets 0
Basil Admin Note Our neighbors need emergency help MG 0
Basil Emergency help requested for our neighbors Austin Healey 0
B TR6 Help with color and color code / paint recommendation Triumph 4
JohnGone MGB Help getting my 1980 MGB to pass CA smog test MG 19
K TR6 Need help with Mimosa Yellow Paint Triumph 1
Bayless Help please installing bonnet release cable Spridgets 8
T TR2/3/3A Help - Cooling system problem Triumph 7
D TR6 Help with tr6 engine diagnosis Triumph 11
H Wanted MK2 - Please, help needed Jaguar Classifieds 60
D Spitfire 1980 California Spitfire, Help Figuring What To Do With It? Triumph 15
I Bugeye oil leak help Spridgets 4
A TR6 Carburetor help Triumph 5
Darwin GT6 Diff Help Please Triumph 2
J TR2/3/3A Need help with a value for this TR3 please Triumph 6
M Need help removing the pinion assembly from a late 1275 steering rack Spridgets 7
V VAUXHALL Astra diesel 1.7cdti loss of power 2012. HELP. Other British Cars 1
jehuie Help...replaced my alternator and now my water pump is leaking. Spridgets 16
algot1901 HELP with wheel bearings Other British Cars 1
K TR2/3/3A The guide bolts to help gearbox install? Triumph 19
S MGB Mgb with nissan cylinder head. I am a new member, introduction and help MG 1
T Lotus 7 - help identifying parts Lotus 5
TheRealDestrux MGB 1977 MG MGB need help putting top down MG 1
6 Electrical Help Please Spridgets 7
B MGB Help MG 2
P Help with torquing bolts Restoration & Tools 3
E GT6 Help electrical guru needed Triumph 4

Similar threads

Top