FrogEye56 wrote:
>
> Recently I bought a 1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite. This was after
> searching for one for the better part of two years. Southern California may
> have rust free cars but there is also no shortage of cars that have been
> through innumerable owners and many modifications. But I was lucky. I found
> one that was original in every way and that the PO had been restoring for the
> past 14 years. Let me put that another way. He had stripped it down and
> primed it 14 years ago and it has been sitting in a garage for the remainder
> of the time.
>
> My question is this. Except for the engine and transmission, every two pieces
> that could come apart have been dismantled. Some of the parts are labeled but
> the majority of them are not. My first inclination is to put it all back
> together as quickly as I can so that it is a car rather than a collection of
> parts and then drive it for a while so that I can get to know it. On the
> other hand, why not take the time to do it right and restore it while it is
> all apart?
>
> Has anyone out there run into this dilemma? Is there some philosophy that
> says that one way is better than the other? I'd be thrilled to hear peoples
> opinion about this.
>
> Joe Burruso
> FrogEye56@aol.com
I am doing the same thing on a Mk3 sprite that was dissasembled for 25
years. Believe me, you want to do it right the first time, don't try to
just cobble it together fast. One more thing, work on one component at a
time, resist the temptation to have ten projects going at the same time.
It will save you pulling your hair out.
Golden rule.... take your time.
If it seems too hard, your doing it wrong, stop, grab a beer, think
about it overnight... resist the temptation to take out the big hammer
to 'make it fit'
Good luck
Daniel Thompson
AN5L 612
HAN8L 40474
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