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New Bugeye!

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John Moore

John Moore

Luke Skywalker
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Hey gang, someone told me this is the place for Spridget talk on the 'net! I recognize many names here from other MG BBS's.

Anywho, on thursday I was buzzing around in my MGB when a guy stopped me in a parking lot and told me how he used to own one etc, etc. Then he told me he bought a '61 bugeye 7-8 years ago, got it cranked but never restored it. He said, basically he would "give it away".... huh? OK!

He didn't give it away, but I got it cheap! It does have some rust issues but not too bad, mostly outer sills and fenders. It's a little crispy around the right rear spring hanger, I need to get it home and check it out. It also has a 1275 engine and other later spridget parts inside. I've done a complete sill replacement on my B, so I can grind and weld. Fun fun!

I've ordered all the catalogs, "Original Sridget" and a Haynes manual

Looks like most of the panels are not too expensive, but I was shocked at the price of the rear fender patch panel. wow! Why is that one so expensive?

I'm not sure yet, if I'm gonna keep or flip it. We'll see. But I'm very excited.
 
Don't get your hopes up on that rear patch. The ones I bought looked decent until I tried to fit 'em. With all the reshaping I did, I should have started from scratch.

BTW, Welcome. If you get the car sorted out you will probably discover it is a keeper.

BTW didn't I meet you at MG2006?
 
Trevor Jessie said:
BTW didn't I meet you at MG2006?
Click to expand...

Yep, we had a few too many beers down in the parking lot, I kinda remember! lol! Good to hear from you again.
 
Welcome to the Spridget fold. Lots of Bugeye folks here, happy to help out.
 
John Moore said:
Trevor Jessie said:
BTW didn't I meet you at MG2006?
Click to expand...

Yep, we had a few too many beers down in the parking lot, I kinda remember! lol! Good to hear from you again.
Click to expand...

Right! "Staggering John"! How tall are you? Because if ya don't fit in the bugeye we could find someone to take it off your hands. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Trevor Jessie said:
Right! "Staggering John"! How tall are you? Because if ya don't fit in the bugeye we could find someone to take it off your hands. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Click to expand...

LOL! Yep! I am 6'3" but I did manage to sit in it (after I already paid the guy!), tight fit! I did drive a '78 midget in highschool and college, but I was 40#'s lighter then! lol!

Like I said, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but probably once I get it home, I'll wanna restore and keep it.
 
HooBoi... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
I made my own repair panels, it wasn't that bad.

Nice BE.

Patrick
 
OK, you need to get it driveable by earlier next year because it will be the 50th Anniversary of the Spridget and there will be many celebrations to attend.
 
Trevor Jessie said:
OK, you need to get it driveable by earlier next year because it will be the 50th Anniversary of the Spridget and there will be many celebrations to attend.
Click to expand...

True! sounds like a plan!
 
Got some potential that BE. I'm secretly jealous.
 
That BE has a lot more potential that the one I've been messing with, and I paid too much for it.

Anyhow, good to have you here John. Stick around. And you might subscribe to the spridgets email list at autox.team.net, there are several north easterners on that list (if you can filter out all the nonsense they carry on with).
 
As opposed to the serious nature of every post here, of course. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

You guys DO know what Mr. Moore's MGB turned out like, don't ya?

...he's an ANIMAL I tell ya. That Frogeye don't stand a chance. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
...he's an ANIMAL I tell ya. That Frogeye don't stand a chance. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
Click to expand...

An animal with a Frogeye, great this can get fun.

I am only a carnivore with one. John I look forward to you working on em.

Pat
 
I saw John's MGB in person (and sober). He pointed out some of the "warts" to me. They were trivial and I couldn't not find them later (when I was still sober).
He also showed me the built in bottle openers that come standard on MGB and Midgets ... I never knew they were there (I live a sheltered life).
 
..his MGB is ~exquisite~ Pat. The bugeye will likely be even BETTER.
 
Thanks for the kind words about my B! I've really enjoyed restoring it and even more driving it! I'm looking forward to playing with the buyeye.
 
JOHN!!!! Yeah - a red Bugeye to match the red MGB!!!
 
tony barnhill said:
JOHN!!!! Yeah - a red Bugeye to match the red MGB!!!
Click to expand...

lol! Thanks Tony! From my initial inspection, it looks to either have been blue or white in a earlier life. I like the idea of iris blue on blue or OEW and red. I dunno!

But yeah, when I went to go look at it, I did your trick. I didn't talk money until he did. In my left pocket I had cash for my inital offer, in the right, I had cash for as high as I was willing to go! Believe me, I got this one at a great price.
 
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