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Looking for a Bugeye to restore

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jlaird

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
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Niceville FL here.

I had a bugeye for over 30 years. Sigh. Sold it when I retired from the USAF and went overseas for 8 years. Dumb move should have stored it.

Now that I am retired wife has said that I should have another Bugeye. The first was made from three cars. Sooooo.
I am looking for a good body shell to start with. Any condition for starters.

Any ideas, I have found them in back yards, garages, etc. and know that word of mouth within the community is the best way to find one mans junk and anothers treasure.
Try me at jlaird237@cox.net or 850 897 8959 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
How about some pics and further info including the amount of rust pls.
email jlaird237@cox.net
 
I will try to get to the warehouse soon and take some photos. Have not looked real close for rust but I would not have kept it if it were a rotten car. Please let me check first. hope you are not in a big hurry.
 
Oh, warehouse stored, sounds better all the time. I take it this is a second or third bug for you? How complete is it, will I need another car for parts? Guess I assume not if it is rolling. I am not in a big hurry at all for the right car at the right price. Not needing a car for parts would be a very big plus as I have only a three car garage and two slots are full with wifes car and my truck. Poor truck may have to set outside for awile, hehe. Now wonder what I will do with grandkids rolling stock for when they visit. Three bicyles, an elect car, and bug wheel and on and on. Grand kids are from 3 to 17.

Forgot to ask, Texas I know but where abouts? Wife has advised (you know how that goes after 47 years) that she too would like to make a visit to Texas in the truck, lol. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
60 miles west of Houston in a small town called East Bernard. The engine and tranny is out of the car, as are the seats. but I can probably scrape up all the basic stuff you need. I have about 4 or 5 bugeye bodies in various shape and about 4 or 5 square bodies laying around. This does not enclude a couple of bugeye racers and the last two Sebring/prototype sprites, and one Bobsey SR3 roller for sale. So any cars so little time.
 
Ok, this has become serious. Without question I am very Very intrested. Parts in boxes poses no problems I will just have to think a bit. Of course haveing all the parts is a giant plus. Oh I know I will be replaceing a lot of stuff to get it on the road but again, not a problem. It is the basics that cause problems when looking for them.

Seems likely that the wife and I will have a fun 4 or 5 day trip to visit before too long, looking forward to it. I am so up I cleaned out my roll around tool box and got everything organized, frist time in years.

Is there a rental place I can get a small trailer to tow this home behind my Ranger truck. It is good the engine and transmission are out as they can go in the bed and will make the balance better.

I surely do envy your warehouse storage. Out buildings are not allowed where we live.

Will be intrested in looking over your Sebring sprites, don't think I have ever seen one in the flesh but did have a few parts from that series on my old sprite.

By the way my email is jlaird237@cox.net it may be a lot easer to use.

Thanks for your quick responces and look forward to a great car and visit with a fan.

Jack
 
Hope you had a chance to go to the warehouse today. I am really ready to hear and see more please. Note email address in above post.
 
Looks like your on to a good lead with the Bugeye Jollyroger has. It looks like it would be well worth the trip out to Texas to look it over. I bought a rolling chassis off of E- Bay in Feb. site un-seen. I highly reccomend looking any car over prior to buying it! I really can't complain the add said "rolling Chassis" and that is what I got. The e-bay photos were a little deceiving as to how little was actually there. I bought a body, rear end(stripped) and rack and pinion. It had doors (no hinges) bonnet ( off another car that had been raced - unusable ), seats ( good frames), no dash, wiring, breaks, gas tank, lights engine, transmission, drive shaft,wind shield etc. I spent countless hours tracking down parts since then and now 9 mo. later have what looks like a fairly respectable Bugeye sitting out in the garage. I still have to rebuild my engine, wire the entire car ( not to bad a job on a Bugeye) and run the hydraulic lines. I paid $1500.00 for the car and have about $4,000.00 invested in parts. I'm retired and this has been almost my full time job since Feb. LOT'S OF 15HOUR DAYS.....but worth it!!! You stated you have owned Bugeyes in the past, so I guess you know what your getting into.....A Great Little Car Thats ALL worth it in the end. I hope you enjoy Your Bugeye as much as I do.
 
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