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Renovator's remorse

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Whitephrog

Luke Skywalker
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AN5L 9382 is back on the road for the first time since 1974. She looks great. Needs a bit of mechanical tweaking but very drivable.

Unexpectedly, I'm not enjoying the ride very much. I've been anticipating this week ever since my last Bugeye was totaled four years ago. Being four years older, a bit heavier and a lot less flexible are probably all contributors to my dilemma. Another contributor is that I continually replay the previous accident in my mine as I drive.

Hopefully this will pass. If not, the Whitephrog will soon be on the market along with a 1966 Sprite tub and tons of parts.

This feeling really sucks!
 
I hate to hear that. However, I think it may pass once your confidence in the car builds and the car settles in a bit.

When I first put my bugeye on the road I was disappointed by the ride (compared to my midget) and comfort. However, I soon discovered the handling and character of the car compensated. I now enjoy driving the bugeye AND my midget, but for different reasons.
 
once you establish a "maneuver" for getting in and out it will be better.
my girl friends have always been amazed how I (6.2") slide in and out inspite of the impedance of the wheel

steve
 
Hi Ray,

In 1965 I went off a corner with my TR4 and flipped it 3 times. Luckily (very) I was not injured.

Fortunately for me my car was repaired by an excellent shop and my insurance covered it. But it only took 3 months and I was much younger then. I suspect the length of time may have caused some of your discomfort. I hope for you that it gets better.

Tom
 
I am 6'1" and 200 pounds. It definitely has been interesting figuring out how to get in and out of my car. I could get a larger car, but I figure it is a good reason to lose some weight and get healthy. My bugeye was in pieces when I bought it, and as I restored this car, I never anticipated the fact that my head would stick out over the top of the windshield. My son gave me a pair of his dessert goggles from Iraq, and problem solved. Had some sun finally this weekend, and my short drive was a blast(still working out the kinks). I think someone on the forum told me one does not worry about the spaciousness of an LBC, but instead speaks of how one wears a LBC. One nice thing about the tight fit is that it puts me closer to the hot lady that rides with me (my wife). All I can say about the bad things that might happen to you is that personally 99% of the bad things I thought would happen in my life never did. If I had a "do over" in life I would spend more of my life enjoying the good moments and spend a whole lot less time worrying about the bad that might happen. You were meticulous and did a beautiful job on Whitefrog. You need to get out there and enjoy it!
Kevin.
 
Ray, it's likely that the feeling will pass as you get used to the car again and rediscover the joys of driving one.

If not, you still have the very real accomplishment of getting another Bugeye back on the road, and in fantastic shape to boot. Even if you do eventually sell it, you still have that to be proud of -- a worthy accomplishment.

The more I drive the MGB, the more I appreciate just how nimble the Bugeye is -- and just how comfy the MGB is. :smile:
 
Ease back into,
Just do car shows and festivals with it. Park in the front and left the sunshine reflect off of it.

You don't have to drive the car to enjoy it, find other ways to enjoy the car.

I understand completely what you are going through, been there on a car I thought I always wanted, once I redid it, the car did not match my expectations.

Even if you do decide to sell just try to enjoy the car in completed form. Car Shows are great. You drive there park and talk for 4-8 hours, go home. Also go place to sell or trade
 
Car shows are great, good cars, nice folks, good talk. Did I mention good cars and nice folks?

Even year after year, lots of the same folks and you are greated like an old friend.
 
Hi Ray, your car looks amazing, hopefully over the next several weeks you'll feel more comfortable with her. I want you to know you ruined me to anything less than NOS! I'm trying to get over it but thanks again for the tach.
 
Ray,
Just some random thoughts.
First your photo documentation of the restoration has been an invaluable tool to myself and many others. Will save me tons of time and frustration. We've never met but I appreciate your help.
Second, just like any major decisions, sleep on it. Don't do anything rash. Time has a wonderful way of changing our minds and providing clarity.
Possibly it was the journey and not the destination that was important to you. Your restoration might have been a way to help you deal with the accident. Might be time to start a new "journey" with your restoration.
 
I think Ralph's thinking shows a lot of wisdom. We all approach these things differently. I sometimes think I enjoy working on the car more than driving it, and I sure get plenty of opportunity to work on it.

That said, I suggest giving it a bit more of a chance. It might take a while for you and the car to get used to each other; it definitely did with me and my bugeye.
 
without having an accident, it still took more than a season to be comfortable with Ms Triss - partly because I really do like wrenching (in fact I found myself delaying the inevitable completion and it was anti-climactic) but it took that long to be able to enjoy a ride without listening for every creak squeek and rattle and wondering what was happening - and that without being accident leery. Give yourself time and gentleness and fall in love again slowly.
 
Ray: I figured out over the years that I enjoy fiddling with these cars and working on them much more than actually using them. Once the car is done, I hardly put any miles on my cars. For me, the enjoyment is in working on them. Maybe I'm just wierd. Jim
 
Sure is nice to hear it's not just me...
Ray, I think the way you feel right now is more common than you think.
Consider this...would you be "disappointed" had you NOT done the restore and just purchased the car from someone who did the work? The answer is no because you would not be as critical of every little nuance from the car. My current Midget was probably the best restore I have ever been involved with. Everything just went right. It is now the best Midget I have ever driven. Yet every little thing that I hear or feel bugs the heck out of me. Very normal. In fact, I can hear and feel things about the car that no one else can! Worse yet, I find myself constantly comparing the money I have in the car to the last convertible I owned (in this case a Porsche Carrera), thinking my money would have been better spent in a different direction. Yet, I also know that if I had just gone out and purchased my vehicle in the condition it is now in, I would have been delighted and without complaint.

Soooo, what's a guy to do? Simple...nothing. If you don't feel the urge, let the car sit. Drive it only when you really want to. You will find (as I have) that you are drawn to driving it more as time passes. You will also be less critical of the "flaws", whether real or imaginary. Further, if you find over a period of time that you are not drawn to the car, you have your answer...sell it and move into something different. For me, time has allowed the love affair with my restore to deepen. You will get the keys out of my hands no earlier than 10 minutes after I'm dead.

Good luck.

Paul
 
I have to agree with other responses posted. Maybe the accident is in the back of your mind but there are some things that can help with that. Take your time and pick the times and places you drive. If you need to stay off the highway, stick to country roads.
I know after my first accident I was told that the longer you take to get back in the saddle again the harder it gets.
What did you use to enjoy about your old car. Can you do those things again. For me it is night driving with the top down and shows where I get to talk to other enthusiasts. Even just taking the back roads to work brings a smile.
Take what time you need and do what you enjoy. Also don't be too quick to do something that you may regret later.
Allan
 
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