I got the new trailer last week and we headed out on our "vacation".
Cleveland to New Mexico to bring home an early yellow '58 Bugeye. I
figured worst case if I don't like the car, I've dragged along a trailer
and had a nice vacation in the Southwest.
The P.O. is a very sweet sixty something retired teacher who bought the
car new in Oct. 58 (AN5 3963 ((I'm doing this from memory,)) I THINK this
is the correct number) built right about the first week of August '58. She
has a picture of it coming off the transport truck. We went out for dinner
together and she made us feel like family.
The car won a concourse in New York in '59 with a finned aluminum valve
cover. Unreal. She had the dealer install it when she bought it as she
liked the look. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see the pictures
and held the trophy. And this thing was hosted by one of the big sports car
mags in the 50's that is not with us today. Sports Car Graphics or
International or some such. I'm too lazy to get the picture from the van to
get the info correct . . . sorry. I'll post pictures when I get home. Guess
they were rare enough in '59 that it was going to win regardless.,
Anyway, The specs> It's yellow, nine snap windshield, shows 23k on the
spedo. All gauges work. all the lights work, Original Lucas headlamps
(sp700's?) Original drive train. Compression 122-125-125-120. Original
seats although cracked and worn. Carpeting had been replaced years ago and
the car could use a complete interior redo. Top, Tonneau, and side curtains
are original, useable and well worn.
The car ran so-so, although it started well. Carbs set VERY rich, idled at
apx. 2800. Plugs all carbon'd up. I cleaned the plugs when I checked the
compression, got it to idle reliably at 1200 or so and figure I'll rebuild
the carbs when I get it home. I think one of the plug wires were off also.
Just fixing these few things made it run MUCH smoother. I asked her to
take me for a ride and we putt putted around at 30-35 mph the entire time.
This car MAY never have gone any faster in it's lifetime. . .. heh heh heh.
No rust anywhere except where battery acid has eaten away at the firewall a
bit, but a reasonably easy fix. Good brakes, like new tires. Transmission
(original) actually works well.
Paint is fair, it was repainted (original color) about 10 years ago and the
job was of fair quality at best, it now includes numerous scratches and
such but looks fine if you squint a bit. It really is a very nice looking
car if you don't nit pick too much.
Excellent bright work all around. Front bumper COULD use a little
straightening and a few little dents removed but it's there and basically
nice.
My S.O. and I are working our way home slowly, we saw the Carlsbad
Caverns yesterday and are in a Motel tonight just outside of Dallas Tx.
Figure we'll see Dallas tomorrow and head for Grand Old Opre country on
Tuesday. We'll get home by next weekend or so I guess.
So far we've picked up enough cotton spilled from trucks to stuff a pillow.
and the interior of the Bugeye is currently the repository of all the
Mesquite wood we've been collecting through New Mexico and Texas. Damn,
those steaks are going to be GOOD.
So all, the saga is going well. The car gets lots of looks and the trip is
fun. It'll be in excess of 3000 miles by the time we're home but a
memorable vacation it'll be I'm sure.
More to come soon
Regards
GP
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