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Now this is impressive!!

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I saw that one. If it's really as original and un-restored as mentioned, that's a seriously top-dollar car. It'd be a great second Bugeye, maybe to park in the living room. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
It'd be fun to clean it up and take it to the concours events. Might not score too well though. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Drew, it definitly LOOKS to be VERY original...It would take SERIOUS work to create the "original" looks!! The only thing I noticed was that(and I may/probably am wrong!) the side curtains were the canvas ones. I thought by 1960 they had the alum. frames! It does provide some good referrence pictures for those looking for the original touches!
 
You never know. There was an article I read recently that there is increased interest in true survivor cars. More concours events are including a survivor/unrestored class.

Thinking it over again, I feel a bit bad for that car. It's not been driven too much, judging from it's condition. Bugeyes were meant to be driven. The poor thing needs some attention! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

(Yes, I'm a bit silly. I'm overtired today, what can I say)
 
The changeover was in early 1960 at some point, pretty much as they ran out of the old fabric ones. Tunebug still has his original fabric ones (Nov 1959 build). Someday they'll be recovered. I like the fabric ones, they seem to match the top.

As I think about it, I'd love to have that car and drive/maintain it. What fun.
 
OK...I'll probably take some heat over this, BUT, (IMO) this car probably will, and probably should, go into a collection and see limited use.

The car is 47+ years old and in remarkably original condition. It may go another 47 years with minimal deterioration IF maintained in an appropriate environment. Think about it...when did you last see a 47 year old car that had been driven regularly, in this condition. Even the best and most loving care will not keep the sun from deteriorating soft parts...not to mention the ravages of water.

I think the key factor in the condition of the vehicle is the mileage...most of which I would think was logged in optimal conditions.

When did you last see (an original) one as nice as this? Me?
Never! I'm glad I did. I'd like for my grandson to have that opportunity one day.

Cars ARE meant to be driven...but occasionally, one is best set aside. I'm quite sure that whomever purchases this one will also have the funds to buy a really nice driver...if they don't already have one...or six.

Ray

PS - if you haven't already saved off ALL of the photos from the Ebay ad, better do so before they disappear...might not ever have a chance to see this kind of originality again. Consider all of the questions we've pondered just during the last year about originality...aluminum cockpit combing, color combinations, floor coverings...lots of answers in this ad.
 
I have a set of each, (really only the frames for the fabric ones!).

GAAAAKK /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif !! I thought I would print out a FEW pix...there are 64 pages!!! Many, many pix, and I can't find anything glaringly wrong that stands out at all on it! I am printing all the pix just for referrence! (I know I'm gonna run out of ink /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif !!).
 
I have three comments.

Note that emer brake needs adjustment.

Note that front frame members and radiator members are painted black.

Dosn't that take you back a few years. Just a beautiful example, someone is going to be lucky indeed. All she needs is a bit of tender loveing care. Would not change a thing. Is one for the books. Very underpriced in my opinion.
 
Who knows what his reserve is though, Jack!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Ray-

I do tend to agree with you on this one (hence the varied posts of mine above). On the one hand, driving a car like this would be a close to driving a brand new Bugeye as you could get.

On the other hand, this car could be a fantastic reference item. See what they were truly like from the factory.

I'd certainly be proud to be the caretaker of such a car, if I had the space and budget to do it correctly. I don't, so it's just me and the Tunebug. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
I would say that there is really NOT that much to do but be a really good caretaker and just maintain its integrity!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif
 
I would give anything to have that floor mat would be perfect in my dark green car as well as those door liners.
 
If I were to guess the reserve I'd say not a penny less than $25K.

If it is less a flipper might get it and then we will see it again in the spring.

JMHO & YMMV
 
I already noticed the method they used to end the door rubber into the dash and into the trunk area. Also the side covers in the trunk, and the trunk "carpeting" none of which I've seen before. Now that I see the pictures, I realize I have the screwdriver, grease gun, jack and I used to have rubber under the seat and over the back part of the tunnel and in the doors but not any more.
The paint under the car is black. I didn't expect that. And the chassis horns and radiator support are also black while the structure in the engine compartment is green.
This thing really is a time capsule.

Who wants to guess what the sale price will be?
I'd say around 25000.
 
Upon looking at the pics again I wonder if it is not really an older restoration, like in the 60's. Rubber and such just looks too good, etc, etc.
 
I'm guessing that it will bring bids of $25K - $30K...I would not be surprised to see a reserve higher than that. I say that because of recent trends with prices for very nicely restored cars. Now, keep in mind...most any solid bugeye out there could be restored to a very high condition given enough $$$, time , and expertise. BUT, the value of this car is that it is original.

I questioned why it would be listed this time of year...we all know the market softens in the fall and goes flat during the winter...but that is conventional thinking, for conventional cars...which this is not. It is good timing in that it could miss the reserve and then be relisted around Barrett Jackson time (mid January)...but then, why not just consign it to one of the better auctions. After all, this is a rare find indeed.

Consider what the car might be worth to an entrepreneur running a cottage industry specializing in unobtanium...like the floor mats. Originals to use as patterns...and you could write off the purchase as a business expense...hmmmm.

Ray
 
Can you imagine how expensive it would be to maintain this car? Every consumable part has to be replaced with NOS when it gets worn out. No using Moss or VB to just replace an oil filter or a seat cover, or even a spark plug. Not to mention the points and condenser, it wouldn't be correct to put some Japanese or Indian parts in there. And any NOS parts had better be the same color too! Where the heck do you get NOS tires anyway?

I would rather see this in a museum, or at least in someone else's garage rather than mine.
 
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