Bill,
You're right, 6500 does seem too high for a bugeye that needs that much
metalwork. Remember one thing with your foray into any "collectible" car;
bodywork is the most expensive part of the refurbishing or restoration, and
there is a difference, of any car. The mechanical work is the easy part as
almost every part on the Bugeye is available as a reproduction or original, with
some searching of course.
If you see paint "bubbling" be very careful, this almost always means alot
more rust than you can see from the outside. You're going to need a floor pan
welded in at the least. There may have been rust in 1980 when the car was
"restored" and it was just covered up with a plastic filler and some paint. It
would be bubbling out about now if that is the case. There a alot of places for
the bugeye to rust and go undetected for long periods of time. Have someone
that does restoration bodywork look over the car, or at least someone who does
bodywork take a look. For 6500 you should be able to find a nice rust-free
bugeye to drive away and not have to spend alot of money on at all.
The Bugeye originally had ribbed rubber floor mats as "carpet" and it was
made form a material that was notorious for self destructing in very little time
with exposure to the sun. the same material that lines the inside door skin, if
any of that has survived in this example your looking at.
Try looking for a Bugeye as a member of a local Austin Healey or British
car club. Try Hemmings Motor news. Or just keep looking. Unless you're looking
for a project, there were almost 50,000 Bugeyes manufactured and many survive
today. You can find one in any condition you want.
Mike MacLean-60
Bugeye
The Flowers wrote:
> Someone I know is selling his '60 Bugeye. Until this weekend I didn't know
> he had it, that it was for sale, or that I even wanted it.
>
> Now I've seen it and I want one ... bad!
>
> Problem is this would be my first foray into a "collectible" and there is
> much I don't know. For example, how hard is it to get a bank loan on one?
> I don't have that much ready cash at hand. Other information is vehicle
> specific.
>
> This vehicle was fully restored in '80, but has deteriorated a bit since
> then. At that time most of the floor pans were replaced, but the 1 not
> replaced is now rusted through in spots. Problem? Minor paint bubbling in
> one spot only. Drivable, but tranny locks up in 1st and reverse (this seems
> to be most serious problem). Rebuilt master and slave cylinders recently
> installed. Appears to have much original equipment including extras
> (original rims I think, tonneau, ragtop AND hardtop). Carpeting is gone
> (ripped out). Original 948 plus a 2nd 948 for spares.
>
> The gentleman is asking $6500. It sounds a bit high for a deteriorated
> renovation, but there are lots of extras and original, so I don't know if it
> is fair or not. He may be on this list which could make negotiations based
> on replies "interesting".
>
> I need to learn quickly and make a decision soon. The car went into the
> newspaper on the weekend.
> ---
> Bill Flowers
> Clearwater FL
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