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Bugeye Sprite Tub restoration Part 1
This week we started another tub welding project, to launch a ground-up restoration of a wonderfully preserved Bugeye shell. This one is quite solid and won’t need too much repair.
Few patch panels are needed, and the rusted areas are minimized… makes this a quick project right? Actually, I was surprised to see the amount of time required to carefully review every square inch of a tub to make sure every hole has a purpose. So often, we get finished cars with phantom holes that can significantly diminish the quality of an overall restoration. Now is the time to correct any holes drilled by prior restorers.
For example, this one had once had a Brooklands-style wind screen, so four holes on the driver dashboard need to be called out and welded.
The battery area needs attention too… this car has three random holes perforating the firewall which also need to be welded. The radio antennae hole on the cowl is easy to call out… it’s the little ones that get you!
We’ll show you progress as this one progresses for a customer in VA.
1960 Bugeye speedster called “IO”
Sale now pending! Way to go Tim! Sounds like IO is NJ bound!
This is “IO” (AN5L 40869), a 1960 Bugeye Sprite that has everything you need to go fast and have fun. More than $11,000 was spent by the prior owner to put in a newly rebuilt and balanced 1275 engine and disk brakes, so the car drives great and is ready for auto-crossing or spirited driving. This major work was all done in 2014, with minimal miles put on since then. (The car was owned by a collector with many cars in his stable, so this car was only used sporadically even after this massive mechanical restoration project.)
Prior to that, the previous owner conducted a rotisserie restoration to address any rust and/or floor issues. So the foundation is excellent (see pictures).
Receipts are included, which describe camshaft replacement, new double row timing chain and gears, new bearings, pistons and rings, slave cylinder, exhaust header and system, hoses, master cylinder, fuse box, new front shocks, and rear tube shock conversion.
Also fit are an alternator, electric tach and HIF 44 carb. The later is a single 1.75 inch carburetor that is a sweet alternative to twin 1.25 carbs, with fewer moving parts and proven additional performance. I know from experience since I have this set up in one of my personal Bugeyes—It’s cleaner with a simpler linkage and choke, and without the synchronization challenges that can come with twin carb set-ups.
The Factory original hardtop is another bonus, with its original fittings and glass window. The top is in great ship with just one crack near the front mount as shown. Also added were a new windshield glass and rubber seals, new top and tonneau. We’ve just replaced the radius arm bushings, another bonus.
[Read more…] about 1960 Bugeye speedster called “IO”
Correct Bugeye Sprite Top Fittings
We see a variety of top fittings in all kinds of different locations on Bugeyes. It’s not too hard to get it right… the short video below shows you what the proper fittings are and where they are located.
Top bars are another challenge with Bugeyes, as they do not come with your new top and have traditionally been difficult to locate. The front windshield bar is often missing, and in fact I drove Gumby through the 80s without one, even though above 35 miles per hour the front of the top would balloon open to scoop up all the rain. You’ll stay a lot drier with one fit and we are happy to offer them for sale here.
BTW, if you have an early 9 stud windshield (which only came on the first roughly 5000 cars, no front bar is needed.)
As always if you have any questions about Bugeyes or need the correct parts for your car, send Ryan a message at david@bugeyeguy.com.
Bugeye Sprite Picture of the week
“Since Bob lived in the Southern Hemisphere, he figured his SU carbs would work better upside down.”
Send us your captions and pictures! This one was taken from an EBAY listing (advertised with rebuilt carbs “needing some work…”)
Caitlyn Jenner’s 1960 Bugeye Sprite is ready!
Caitlyn Jenner’s Bugeye is now ready, and like proud parents, we are both sad and excited to see this great car go. With took a nice Bugeye and upgraded all the systems and cosmetics, to make this car the best it could be. Now it’s “just right.”
When does a Bugeye stop being a Bugeye? This car has the perfect modifications, we have added a supercharger for more power, and improved the exhaust note but the steel wheels and white walls honor the car’s vintage heritage. Sure, more power and upgraded suspension is possible, but when you also own a 911 GT3 is that really necessary? For me, this is a Bugeye stretched just enough into a new performance strata, so everything is better, but not pushed so far that it is compromised into something it was not ever going to be.
Sometimes with a Bugeye, less is more.
In the video below you can watch one of our farewell test drives. The new air horn you hear taunting me was defective, and we have since replaced it with another new unit. Congratulations Caitlyn!
Before and after photos:
