I have a purchase decision for which I can use help the help of the
list. I bought a fairly rough 1959 Bugeye last year and have completed
the strip down of the car. I've been thinking that having a second car
for miscellaneous parts would be handy and - surprise - last weekend I
think I found one. I need some help in looking at the right things on
the car and determining what is reasonable.
I'm told the car is a 1961 but I think that is the year of registration
rather than the build year. Were there Bugeyes in 1961? It has the
registration number on the front chassis leg but what is the appropriate
range of numbers for a Bugeye?
The big attraction of the new car is the body is in better shape than
the one I have - especially the hood/bonnet. I've been over the car
with a magnet and there does not appear to be much filler. The rear
spring boxes look solid, door posts ok (some rust near the bottom of the
a-pillar post), some pretty rough repairs in the floor/firewall area but
solid metal.
Car has painted wire wheels - what do I look for to make sure these are
ok? Tap each spoke to hear the ping sound, pull off the wheels to check
splines (what do I look for?),....... Front disc brakes under the wire
wheels - anything to check (thickness of disc?) Also has a hard top
with no rear window and rubber all perished.
Seat frames are in good shape (which I need), has all the light lenses
and interior aluminum cockpit trim (need that too)
Apparently the engine runs too - have to check that out still. Car
doesn't have tach drive on the dynamo or original air filters but I have
those on my first car.
So .. the guy wants $3,500 Canadian (I'm in Toronto) or about $2,300
U.S. Assuming no more than the usual nasty surprises, is that a fair
price? I'll offer him less of course but what are rough cars going for
these days?
Thanks for any input I receive.
Regards
Donald Mackinnon
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