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The tale of a Bugeye [re]conversion

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drooartz

drooartz

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I've been thinking a bunch lately about the right car for me. As many of you know, I've realized the need for more power than my stock Bugeye has. I thought a lot about switching to a bigger car (TR3, MGB) but in the end went the route of finding a larger motor (see threads on my new Midget donor car).

Well, as I was looking at the Midget I got to thinking. Should I just rebuild it? Do I really need the Bugeye? The Midget already has the engine in it, and is in good shape. Then I walked back into my garage and looked at the Tunebug. For maybe the first time a realization hit me. I no longer wanted just any car, or a faster car, or even just a Bugeye.

I wanted this Bugeye. The Tunebug.

Funny how these things evolve. I think I've got me a keeper. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
How touching,

let me wipe away the tears...

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
haha, that giddy feeling will wear off the first time you have to wait a week for some part you really dont wanna pay for ; )
have a good time in between and just remember, right now u have 2 good rebuilders....tough decisions...and a LOT of work either way....which reminds me i need to...........z
 
Drew:

Great news, now lets get a 1275 in her.

Patrick
 
i'm actually rebuilding my original 67 through a 68 midget tub. weirdly it was tough towing the remains of the 67 to the junk yard. the tub was not reasonably restorable. i felt like i was abandoning a friend. but now i have the new tub and although it's a mutt, it's more like a rebirth of the 67 everyday. i can appreciate the connection you feel. i try to use as much of the old car as possible. it feels good to restore something from the old car and install it on the healthy tub. go ahead a shed a tear .. it will all be worth it soon /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
It's a silly thing to get attached to an inanimate machine, but there you have it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That 1275 is sitting outside my garage right now (still in the Midget), just waiting to be pulled. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll be able to round up some manpower to help out. I'd like to get at least that much done before the snow comes.
 
I told you to get a heater for the garage. Gesh, must I tell you everything, LOL.
 
I've got a (small) heater for the garage, but right now the Midget is living outside. SWMBO's truck is in the other garage bay. I can roll the car in to work on it, but then I've got to roll it back out when done. Harder to do in the snow.

Over the next few years I plan to work on improving the garage insulation and adding a pellet stove to make it more usable in the winter. Not in the funding plans this year, though.
 
Hmm, if I lived where you do I would have a very very large heater in the garage.
 
It looks like a really solid tub, surprised none of the racers have chewed your arm off for it yet. It's in better condition than mine, and if I lived closer, I'd slap a newer motor and a 5 speed in it.
You could always get a bigger garage. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Bigger garage is not financially feasible. We've been in this house for just about a year, so many projects are still awaiting time and funding (mostly funding!). I'm afraid that garage heat is not at the top of the list just yet. But it is on the list. Boy is it a long list--the joys of home ownership. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Once I'm done with the Midget, I'm hoping someone will want the tub. Far too nice to scrap, and I don't want to store it indefinitely. Won't be rolling at that point, since I'll be keeping most of the drivetrain and suspension. But it should be good for someone.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It looks like a really solid tub, surprised none of the racers have chewed your arm off for it yet...

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, I've thought about it but the distance from Michigan to Utah and back is just too far. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif

Someone will snatch it up though! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Tim
 
It's killing me, I'd just pick it up and drop it off at the paint shop with a bucket of BRG....
Drew, take your time stripping it, if you still have it by spring, let me know.
It's like a little puppy in the window of the pet store.
What are the Xmembers like?
 
I remember the wrestling match I had in my old head,trying to decide if getting away from the 948 and to be stock, or get a 1275, and horors, a non-stock tranny. Looking back, you'll laugh at yourself when you pull out on the highway and go. We had a mild Jan. this year and I had a kid in a black saturn at a couple lights. He was barking the tires at the lights. At 45 he could only get 1 car length on me. Just wait til next year.
 
Body does seem to be in good shape, but I haven't looked really closely yet. I'll have some time this weekend, so I'm gong to have some fun pulling a few bits and looking around.
 
You be very nice to it Drew, you know it is looking for a loveing home and feels so alone.
 
After you get it stripped, you could turn it on its side and store it in the corner of the garage until you find a loving home for it.
 
It will go to a good home, I'm sure. Right now it's snug under a tarp next to the house. I should start some of the engine tear-down this weekend (carbs and such).

It's been sitting for a few years in various stages of resto, so a few more months shouldn't hurt it any.
 
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