Each day we spend with car 501 is another day closer to completion. In preparing this historic Bugeye for the Austin-Healey National Enclave later this month, we have run across multiple cases in which a concours correct part needs to either be fabricated, modified, or is completely unobtainable altogether. Such was the case for the air inlet hose for the heater assembly. However, we have finally been able to find a solution that will meet our needs, and in the process have launched an exciting new product!
The concours standards call for an inlet hose made of ” thin rubber with a helical spring inside” with a “seam spiraling around it from one end to the other”. The factory original hoses, due to their construction, did not survive the “harsh” conditions of a Bugeye engine bay. In the years since, there have been reproductions on the market but none of them are correct. But we have finally discovered a solution that has the correct look!
Our new Concours Air Inlet Hose has both the look and feel of the original hose, right down to the spiraling seam! In the video below, I discuss 501 and our new hose solution, as well as show off some other significant Bugeyes in our midst this week!
In addition to the first production Bugeye built to original concours spec, we will also bring “Gumby” to the the National Austin-Healey club event later this month. Gumby is my high school car that inspired our business. The car is radically modified without regard to concours specs.
This week, we changed out his wheels, previously Silver Panasport wheels, and installed a set of painted, color-matched Minilites, along with a set of vintage-look Dunlop tires, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! The color-matched wheels absolutely take Gumby to the next level and complete the look I have been going for, to create the ultimate Super Sprite. The pictures below can really attest to this.
In addition to having 501 here for its concours transformation, we have also been blessed with the presence of car 505, another of the earliest production Bugeyes! Unlike 501, the owners of 505 have instead chosen to build a really nice driver that they can take on trips to the local ice cream parlor and go for a cruise. It is equipped with wire wheels and front disc brakes and has a new zip-down top fitted, and should bring many fun miles to its owners in Texas!
Each day is an adventure here at Bugeyeguys, and having these three totally different cars side-by-side-by-side has been a real treat!
