In the my world of mostly open-top roadsters, I never thought I would say it but there’s actually something very liberating about a Bugeye Hardtop. Now, I know that most people want convertibles for the wind-in-the-hair (or what’s left of it) experience and for the joy and freedom of zooming down the road in a totally open environment, with the sun setting/yellow moon rising overhead. But I have to tell you from a lot of Bugeye miles that there’s actually something amazingly cozy about driving a Bugeye with a dome overhead.
Perhaps my new found joy has something to do with the cars’ inherent cuteness-all Bugeyes just look that much more adorable when wearing a hat. Or maybe I love hardtops because while wearing a Bugeye is nice, being entombed in one is all that much more entertaining. In addition, the Hardtop gives one a giant canvas with which to make a bolder statement…whether a Union Jack or racing stripe or, in the case of the car pictured, and even bolder dollop of Iris blue paint.
Regardless of my reasons, I am having fun adding novelty to an already always novel car. The hardtop is providing a new smile for me, and I am using it this spring, long after open sports car season has begun.
The Bugeye hardtop was an option when new, and was also made by a few different aftermarket suppliers. They usually came in Ivory white, although over the years many have been painted different colors, or color matched to their host. They had no headliner, and this blue one is really well painted and even a little reflective inside (as you can see in the photo).
My rose colored glasses are actually Iris blue.
We have a few original Bugeye Hardtops available and for sale. Please email david@bugeyeguy.com if you would like to purchase one. We also have all the parts available to restore your hardtop if you have one. The glass windows are not available, but we have a lexan replacement. Keep in mind that any of our hardtops in stock can be custom painted and matted to any of the Bugeyes for sale that we have in inventory.
For anyone keeping score, this is the third Bugeye that I have been hoarding in my micro collection. I have my high school car Gumby undergoing restoration, Cole in olde english white, and this Blue Robin which looks like an egg, and calls out for the vanity license plate “BBrobnnsde.”
This car isn’t for sale, but if you are looking for a Bugeye this nice, check out Byron or Aiden, both of which can be matted to a color matched hardtop for a similar look.
