Being the owner of 2 bugeyes, I guess I have some knowledge about them.
Here's a couple of things to keep in mind that I do when looking at bugeyes:
Look for rust in the floorboards under where your feet are.
Look for rust in the support beams in the "trunk section".
Check the "trunk section" to see if there is any damage that has been bondo'd
up in the rear section.
check the seams along the fenders for rust, both front and rear. In the front
look inside the bonnet, in the rear look in the wheel wells.
How well does the bonnet fit on the body? Does it latch? Are the hinges in
the rear? Is it steel?
While the bonnet is up check the frame around the engine compartment and
all the rubber seals around things like the steering boots, brake gaskets etc.
What kind of engine is it? 948's have tags on the spark plug side. If it is
a 1275, what kind of gearbox is it? the "ribcase" gold seal is the best. It
has a grid pattern of 3" squares on it.
Is it positive ground? if not why was it changed?
Does it have disk brakes in the front (not original but very desirable).
What kind of carb set up does it have? Weber side drafts are nicer than the
SU H2's, they are harder to adjust, but keep their adjustment longer, and add
about 10-20 horsepower. SU H4's are nice too. the H# is the number of 1/4"
over 1/2 inch the carbs are. So H2 is 1 inch H4 is 1 1/2 inches.
Does it have a mechanical tach? if so does it work? on the back of the
generator is a little reduction gear box for the tach. This costs about $100
to replace.
Check the radiator for damage to the fins.
Check to see if the electric stuff works, try the wipers, horn, turn signals,
heater (if any), if this stuff isn't working, be prepared for a nightmare of
re-designed electrical systems and wiring.
While on the test drive, how does it shift? There is no syncro mesh on 2nd,
does it have trouble getting there? Are the brakes spongy? There is only 1
master cylinder for brakes and clutch, could be signs of bad things to come.
Does the speedometer work? if so consider yourself lucky.
What's the oil pressure at startup? should be around 75-80. when warm it might
drop to 50-60, but no lower.
Do the doors have all the hardware for the hinges? This is sometimes hard to
replace.
Does it have all the pedals? the Accelerator is very expensive ($25ish) comp-
ared to the others.
Does the hand brake work?
What wheels does it have? How about the spare? If they are the stock
moon disk shapes, do they all match?
Does it have a top? How about the Bows for the top? these are impossible to
find.
Does it have a tonneau cover? Does it have the lift-a-dots for the top and
toneau cover?
If it is a 58, does the windscreen have little buttons across the top for the
top?
Are the side mirrors on the fender or attached to the windscreen? Fender
mirrors are not original, but don't get broken as often. I personally like
the windscreen mirrors.
Last of all, is it something that you wouldn't mind devoting 1/3 your weekends
to? if so then buy it.
Oh yeah, have fun.
"What is the greatest joy?"
"The joy of duty!"
Miq Millman -- miq@sgi.com or {decwrl,pyramid,ucbvax}!sgi!miq
415 960 1980 x1041 work
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