In my opinion
If it's a period conversion leave it as it is. It has just as much,
probably more, historical value as a reflection of the times as a standard
car and is more interesting. You wouldn't convert a Duane Spencer rod back
to a standard A model, would you? It would make sense to find a complete
running engine to fit and with that power to weight ratio you won't have
time for three pedals.
Peter
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> From: Bill Elliott <wcelliot@concentric.net>
> To: spridgets list <spridgets@autox.team.net>; mgb-v8@autox.team.net
> Subject: V8 Bugeye (and transport recommendation)
> Date: Wednesday, 6 October 1999 11:13
>
> Well, the most interestingly modified British car I've ever owned showed
> up today courtesy of Leo's excellent transport service. I would
> strongly recommend that any of you needing to move cars/parts contact
> him <ldsp@flash.net>... I've never dealt with a more concerned and
> careful transport... with an added bonus: the movement of some large
> parts at the same time. Try that with your average transport service!
> Thanks Leo!!!!
>
> Now to the car... it belonged to a friend of mine who's recently
> deceased. He bought the car pretty much in the state it's in now, so I
> don't have a lot of history on it. If anyone knows anything about it
> from my description, I'd appreciate any info. It's been a Florida car
> for at least the last decade or so.
>
> It's a 1960? (AN5L29412) Bugeye. Black on black. Moderate rust.
> Factory hardtop (can someone tell me how the latches work?),
> aftermarket(?) fiberglass dash with factory AH and period SW gauges.
> Soft top frame, but no header bar. Showing 34,000 miles.
>
> Besides the factory bonnet (a straight but moderately rusty piece) it
> came with a fiberglass front end still in the original gelcoat. Looks
> sort of like a 240Z/ Jag XKE piece with an oval snout... about a foot
> longer than the stock piece. Any idea what this is? Anything special?
>
> Now the fun part... the car has a Buick 3.5 V8 in it... set back such
> that the front of the engine is about 8" behind the front axle
> centerline! LOTS of custom work has been done to accommodate this
> fitment ... the engine sits very low in a custom cradle and the firewall
> has been boxed in, leaving about 12" of legroom width on either side of
> the tunnel. It's all done very well...if you didn't know what the
> firewall was supposed to look like, you'd never suspect it's been
> modified.... until you get in, of course!
>
> The engine drives through a Powerglide (or Buick equivalent?) with the
> shifter coming up on the left side of the trans tunnel just in front of
> the driver seat.
>
> I haven't crawled underneath to look at the driveshaft or rear end...
> but at a glance it looks like a stock rear. All of the mods appear to
> have been done in the 60's from the choice of wiring, etc.
>
> The engine's disassembled and missing the intake, carbs, radiator, valve
> covers, cam, pushrods, etc. It's a "HI" code... that a '63
> hi-compression Buick?
>
> Questions for the group:
>
> Should I find the missing bits and rebuild this engine... or would it be
> more economical to find a complete, running engine?
>
> Thoughts on a gearbox: Assuming I can find enough room for an extra
> pedal...doubtful... what would fit the best? (I assume if there's room
> for a PG, then a T5 should also fit? I assume this also means I'd have
> to find the right bellhousing, etc.) Considering the potential
> power-weight ratio, maybe the PG's a good idea anyway!
>
> Any thoughts, suggestions, comments, offers to sell me the right parts
> cheap, etc.... are appreciated!
>
> Bill Elliott
> Lake Mills, WI
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