Looking at a Bugeye - Any Advice?

[HealeyRick]

Posted from the Healey list:

Sure, I know about rust. Boot area and floors are good, bonnet in fine shape, rear spring attachment boxes good. Car in Texas, so dusty and wiring will need replacement. Running 948, I think, may be a 1275.... needs a good tune up. Pain done 3 years ago, holding up pretty good. Has been in a shelter, covered, sort of a garage.

Seller has negotiated, and I have, to about $10k. Has been on the market for a while, started at 19k, nothing for 3 months, then 13k - seller got one call.

I figure it needs seat cushions and carpet set, maybe foam, wiring harness, cleaning, and detailing, and a good tune, and away we go!

What do you think? Good buy or not?​

Happy Motoring,
Peter
63 built BJ7, Gold Level Concours Winner
2006 MINI Cooper S - JCW GP #1636
17 Minis - now ex, 1 GT5 racecar
2001 M Coupe S54
and a BT 7 - sold. Find me a Mini moke.​

​

 

[Guest]

I'd like pics

 

[HealeyRick]

I'd like pics

Here you go

Pics here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbraun/sets/72157649128830176/

 

[Boink]

AMAZING that the guy tried to start at $19K (and that reveals a lot in-and-of itself)!!! $19K would be for fantastic condition (maybe even a 5 speed). Then his drop to $13K should claim a very nice car, not his.
$10K is questionable... very questionable. I wouldn't touch it for $8K tops (given it needs a lot). Wiring looks hideous (which further calls into question what else is similarly handled). Interior rough. To be honest, all I see is some shiny paint (on the outside).

 

[HealeyRick]

=pbraun;958812... started at 19k,

It's a 948 cc motor (9CU-H- motor number) Prices of bugeyes are going up but I don't think that much. The strong points of this car are the body and paint and the fact it has most of the hard to find original bugeye parts. Take a refrigerator magnet and inspect the rockers, b-pillar, and lower fenders carefully. If it's been bondoed up, I'd pass. Also check the floorpans. You could do a complete interior pretty cheaply and have a nice looking car as long as you don't open the bonnet. That motor looks like it's had plenty of miles on it, so you're getting a bit of a pig in a poke. I'd say $7,500 would be fair if the body was solid and paint was good. I've started to look at old car buying differently lately. The cost of paint and bodywork has gone up so much that unless you do it yourself, the body condition can be more important than mechanical condition in assessing a price.

 

[smaceng]

The BE market has really shot up in the last few years. All because any car dragged out of the barn, has the potential of being the $20K+ car. Just a few years ago, the high potential was maybe $15K. The question that I would ask, is what is the condition of the engine....does it turn over, does it start and run OK.
Also what is behind that shiny purple or red paint....rust, body filler. That to me is whether it is worth 8k or 5 or 6K.
To think that in 2009 I paid $4k for a completely painted tub + boxes of parts, is beyond available now.
Scott in CA

 

[Coastalman]

Peter, please contact me in Oriental, NC. There are three BE's here and also a Mini Moke which is for sale.
covercash1@aol.com
Charlie
Coastalman

 

[JPSmit]

FWIW, you could buy it for 10k pour 5 k into it and still not have half the car Jack is offering for 15k just in the post above.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

X2 on Jack's Miss Agatha. The best you will find.

 

[nomad]

Ah yes....Knowledgeable group and I agree! $7500 if there are no rust issues would be my guess. Worn 948 and smooth case and no pictures under the carpet and under the car. Buy Jack's!!!

Kurt.

 

[Whitephrog]

$5500-6000.

 

[HealeyRick]

BUY IT! BUY IT!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Too late. Miss Agatha is sold.