The Bugeye

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:45:51 -0600

Re-creation Of "Little Blue II --

I bought this car on eBay as a bare body shell with a small collection of parts from this and other cars. As purchased, it had no VIN plate so I bought it on a bill of sale. It had had extensive rust repairs (all structurally sound but not done with correct body panels (e.g. the floors are just flat sheets of steel). I had a collection of running gear salvaged from previous projects that I refurbished and installed on the Bugeye, and along with some new parts, some purchased on line, and some acquired from this site, she was placed in running condition. I'm indebted to other members of this site for parts gifted: Ray Forsyth gave me the steering column "cone" with the horn contact ring. Robert Hepburn contributed an original choke cable. Randall Sawyer gave a rebuildable ¾" bore dual master cylinder (needed for the disc brake conversion). As of 2-20-2023 she's road ready but needs a VIN to allow registration and titling. I found the original VIN (AN5L/29813) crayoned on the back of the dash panel that I acquired with the car, and I now have the certificate from British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirming that number. Never a slave to originality, I've attempted to build this car for drivability and reliability. She has a rebuilt 1275cc engine, Datsun 5-speed Rivergate gearbox, alternator with negative ground conversion, pre-engaged starter, aluminum radiator, front-flip bonnet, and a custom wiring harness. There's more to do but she's well on the way.

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Posted 2023-02-20 09:45:51 by Lee Thurner

Re-Creation Of Little Blue

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:22:35 -0600

Re-creation Of "Little Blue II --

My first car, and still the most loved of the nine Britcars I've owned, was acquired slightly used in March 1965. It was an Iris Blue 1964 AH Sprite Mk II fitted out with every option available: heater, radio, hard top, tonneau, and twin Lucas 576 driving lights. I paid $1575 for it, and I practically lived in it: It had 1,500 miles on it at acquisition, and 77,600 miles 16 months later when I traded it in on a new 1966 Sprite Mk III. Some of those miles were a memorable trip from costal North Carolina to California and back. I called her "Little Blue". While I owned her I added a Les Leston steering wheel, crested wooden shift knob, and an Amco center console. Now that I'm 74 years old, and attempting, I suppose, to relive youthful pleasures, I'm in the process of restoring a 1963 Midget to look much like Little Blue. It won't be a clone...after all, a Midget isn't a Sprite, and it will have significant differences, including its 1275 cc engine from a '69 or '70. However, in configuration and color it will be close. I've deleted the bonnet and side chrome trim and replaced the original grill with one from a '70 Midget...not a Sprite grille, but closer than the original. As of February 9, 2018 "Little Blue II" is in the paint booth. All of the components I've removed from it have been restored or reconditioned and are ready for reassembly. More to come... March 9, 2018: Completed reassembly of the body work, did a tuneup of the engine (setting the timing is a serious PITA!) and took her for a test drive. A few problems remain: Fuel gauge doesn't indicate; speedo cable doesn't turn; gearbox occasionally jumps out of fourth gear; rear suspension needs new bushings; but overall she's a pleasure to drive. I hadn't driven a Spridget since 1982 and I've gotten a lot older, heavier, and creakier since then...even so I was newly amazed at how small these cars really are and how much one has to "fold up" to get into and out of one.

Posted 2018-02-09 14:22:35 by Lee Thurner