Tell me about it. I cut up a Bugeye with a torch one time and that was the
most complicated thing I've ever seen.
Larry Miller
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Thompson <dthompso@total.net>
To: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
Date: 09 April, 1998 10:42 AM
Subject: bugeye body shell
>Found this amusing and thought I would share it with the list. I am
>restoring my 1958 Sprite and, not too long ago, delivered the bare shell
>to my bodyman for restoration. He has finished shot-blasting it and has
>now complete cutting out the rusted areas. Not much left of the car!
>
>What I found amusing is his reaction upon seeing the complexity of the
>shell's construction. This guy has already done an XK150S and 3 Jaguar
>E-types, there was one more in the shop when I was there along with a
>big Healey and an MG PA. He restored Auburns that have won at Hershey
>and countless other cars. He has fantastic panel making skills.
>
>Anyway, he cannot get over how complex the construction of my Bugeye is.
>For example, the rear "deck" being spot welded onto the beading which is
>then spot welded onto the support bracket which is then spot welded to
>the inner wheelarch which is then spot welded to the outer wheelarch
>which is then spot welded to the outer fender. All in all, five layers
>of spot welds which he is not looking forward to recreating. In the seam
>in question we had to drill out about 70 spot welds before removing the
>rear fender.
>
>Now, this car is serial number 612 and was produced in early April 1958
>(before the official launch). I told him that the British were probably
>afraid that the Sprite, the first mass produced unit body car, would
>fall to pieces. So they over compensated by welding it like crazy. My
>body man figures you could drop a "hemi" into one of these shells and it
>won't twist/flex.
>
>He swears that an E-types shell is much easier to restore. Just another
>reason to get a fixed price before you commit to a resto shop!
>
>I am videotaping the whole process for those that are interested. The
>shell should be finished within a couple of months.
>
>Long live the list,
>
>
>Daniel Thompson
>AN5L 612
>HAN8L 40474
>
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