Hi Philip ,
There are probably as many answers to this one as there are people
on this list . For instance I am building a '59 Bugeye . It will look
pretty standard from the outside . The inside will have a stock dash
(fascia) , stock gauges , switches , steering wheel , seats . I will
cover
the seats in leather , the interior panels will all be leather . The
floor
will be covered in wool carpet (Wilton) . The engine will be a 1275
(1380)
Five speed transmission . Alternator , front disk brakes , front sway
bar ,
poly bushings all around , all ancillary parts rebuilt / refurbished
. I want
to retain the flavor and charm of the car , and at the same time
increase
its performance and appeal as a car that can be used and enjoyed
regularly.
I am personally not interested in a $30 K gold level car that would
be a crime
to use . Nor am I attracted to cars that have been butchered to the
point
of loosing all of there quaint British charm and character . In the
end the
choice is all yours . Good Luck !!! ,
Flame shields up ,
Mark Hanna
AN5L/13731
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Philip Hubbard [SMTP:hubbard@idir.net]
> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 1999 2:12 PM
> To: spridgets@autox.team.net
> Subject: General Advice on Restoration Requested
>
> As you all know from some recent posts, I'm toying with the idea of
> getting
> a companion for Arioch, my '74 Midget. This would be a restoration
> project
> of some kind. Through list advice, other research and some thought, I've
> narrowed it down to a Bug-Eye or Spridget. (Dropped Lotus Elan, MGB,
> Spitxxxx, etc. for now)
>
> I'm just looking for some general advice right now. What are the
> essentials before I even think about doing this? Parts manual, Workshop
> manual in addition to the Haynes I own, etc. I've talked to my dad about
> using his garage and pit and looks like he might go for my trade of labor
> for space, so I'm starting to collect info.
>
> Not sure which way I'm going to go on type of resto. Part of me gets into
> the originality thing a la "look, it could have just rolled out of the
> factory". Part of me wants to make this one a bit of a go-fast auto. I
> get the feeling I won't go to the extreme in either case, so maybe I don't
> have the all original in me. As far as go-fast goes, I don't mean that
> I'll be racing it...I just mean a bit of an upgrade here and there to make
> it peppier for around town.
>
> If I go the "as close to original as possible" route, I'm thinking the
> earlier the model the better. If I go the peppy route, I'm thinking of
> something around '67 or '68 so I get the 1275cc motor, but still pretty
> early on.
>
> Any advice or comments are, as always, appreciated.
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