My Barn Find

[sideache]

I'm a newbie here. A friend from MOALA suggested I come to this forum since I now have two british cars. I found a 59 Bugeye Sprite 9or should I say squint eye) with an early California modification. Got it from the IE. It sat in a garage for 24 years and has spent the last 1 1/2 outside. Quite good condition. I got it home today and immediately pulled the interior. The car was modified by a guy named Nel Fowbus. He badge it with his emblem. Anyone heard of him?

At home at my place.

Angus has a new garage mate

 

[rulle7]

Wow, I'd keep the mods. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Another 'one of/one off' thread in the making!

 

[jlaird]

yep, don't think I would change it either, it is just too unique. some research on this guy that did the mod would be in order.

 

[sideache]

That is the consensus on three car forums. Keep the mods. I will however paint it back to it's original modification color, which was red. The original modification owner even had their monogram put on each door. I haven't been able to find anything on this Nel Fowbus guy.

 

[jlaird]

My word when I google this guy I come right back to this thread. small world.

 

[AngliaGT]

Where are you located?
This could be an owner made car,or possibly a
very limited run.
If it's a local car,start checking with the older
British car owners in your area - they might know.

- Doug

 

[saabmp3]

Wow, I LOVE the squinting look of the headlights. The only thing I would do is take the driving lights off of the grill and put them into the squint holes. That thing is beautiful.

Ben

 

[Morris]

That is really something!

Are the "squints" induction cowls? Or do head lights somehow fit in there?

 

[zimmy]

awesome, wanna trade? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif....zimmmmy

 

[tony barnhill]

I think those lights in the grille <u>ARE</u> the headlights!

 

[sideache]

Tony is right. The headlights have been moved to the grill, so have the turn indicator lights. The bonnet has been de-seamed. The squint-eyes are air vents. The grill weighs about 30lbs.

 

[sideache]

[ QUOTE ]
Where are you located?
This could be an owner made car,or possibly a
very limited run.
If it's a local car,start checking with the older
British car owners in your area - they might know.

- Doug

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm in SoCal. I have checked a number of places and still haven't found anyone that has heard of a Nel Fowbus. He must have been proud of this car because that center badge is pure silver.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Maybe he is/was a jewelry maker?

 

[jlaird]

Try the DMV??

 

[sideache]

I was at the DMV today transfering the title. I was able to get info on the owner previous to the person I purchased it from, nothing else.