We’ve sold more than 400 Bugeyes, and we know how to upgrade the cars without spoiling the DNA. This car is no exception, and if you are looking for the ultimate interpretation of a Bugeye, give this one serious look. This Bugeye showcases what we have learned from the 400 cars that came before it… here is a sorted and exceptional, show-winning, modified Bugeye that you can drive anywhere!
We set out to create the ultimate Bugeye with this one, and “Jesse” is the result. Everything on this car is the best of the best. We took Jesse’s 1275 and equipped it with a supercharger and new carb, exhaust header, rear disk brakes, new chrome wire wheels, new custom leather seats and dashboard, new powder coated windshield frame and new glass, uprated Dunlop tires, and more! Every component of this car was upgraded and improved. If you are looking for the most hassle-free and upgraded Bugeye in the fleet, Jesse is the car for you!
If you grew-up with a less than perfect Bugeye (when you had no money but lots of time) and now you have (no time and) a few extra dollars to invest in the ultimate nostalgia machine, call us to discuss this one-of-a kind dream machine!
We’ve been on a mission to make Jesse an immaculate show-stopping machine!
Jesse is painted Nevada Beige, a great original color seldom seen on Bugeyes, which we have coupled with brand new custom red leather seats with color-matched piping, a matching leather-clad dashboard and dash bar with the same piping, and even a custom red leather key chain. We also fitted a custom red hardura floor covering with contrasting stitching and a custom beige wool heel pad. This makes for a spectacular car that turns heads everywhere it goes. The paint shines beautifully.
Jesse was previously owned by the editor of the Austin Healey Club national magazine. He installed a 1275 engine. We have since further upgraded Jesse with a beefy Ford five-speed transmission. Many other upgrades were installed during the restoration, including front and rear disc brakes and an alternator conversion, both very popular reliability upgrades.
Since we received Jesse in our building,, we have undertaken a a massive list of upgrades (see below) to take Jesse to the next level. Round one of these upgrades included an aluminum radiator, all-new coolant hoses, all-new exhaust including a new header and dual-tip muffler, all-new hydraulic metal and rubber lines, new master cylinder, a new matching red tonneau to go with its red top, new electronic ignition, a dummy voltage regulator for added charging system protection, a GPS speedometer and electronic tach, and much more! These upgrades were all made less than 100 miles ago, so they are all still brand new!
We then underwent a second round of improvements to make Jesse even more special, which included fitting a brand new Eaton supercharger with new single SU carburetor, a conversion to brand new chrome wire wheels clad in new Dunlop 165 tires, the addition of rear disc brakes, a completely custom red leather interior, a flip-forward nose, and more!
This is a car you won’t want to miss! Click “read more” below for the full suite of photos, and give us a call if you’re ready for a Bugeye that is turn-key and ready to tour!
Here is a list of the numerous upgrades on this car!
- Converted to front flip bonnet
- Custom matching red hold-down straps
- Bonnet strengthening X bracing, painted to match, to reinforce nose (given flip conversion)
- Custom front frame strengthening brace and jack plate, painted to match the body
- On-board trickle charger
- Re-gasket the engine, install rear main seal conversion kit with lip seal, all to reduce oil leaks
- Converted to a 5 Speed Ford transmission, fully synchronized with overdrive
- Upgraded lightweight aluminum flywheel
- Heavy duty clutch pressure plate, HD head gasket, ARP head studs, custom mechanical advance/retard distributor for proper tuning- all for Supercharger upgrade
- New supercharger with new 1.75 inch SU carburetor
- K and N lifetime premium air filter
- New stainless exhaust header
- Deluxe twin-tipped stainless performance muffler for great exhaust note and performance
- Rear disc brake upgrade for maximum longevity and performance
- Convert to chrome wire wheels (the correct way) with new axles of the proper length and new hubs all around
- New front rotors and ceramic pads
- New tapered roller bearings – upgraded & stronger than stock ball bearings
- Convert front shocks to much more reliable tube shocks
- New front sway bar
- high output starter
- Premium Dunlop tires, 165 width (look much more agressive than other 13 inch tire choices)
- Restored dashboard and dash bar to factory layout, with radio hole welded shut, recovered with matching supple red leather with custom Beige piping
- Deluxe door pockets covered in matching leather and topped with custom beige piping
- Convert to LEDs all around for better visibility
- H4 headlights with upgraded LED bulbs
- Custom bonnet driving lights for daytime running light visibility
- Custom supple leather seats with color-matched binding
- New door liners
- Custom hardura floor covering with contrasting beige stitching and custom wool driver-side heal pad
- Custom bonnet locating mounts so the bonnet will self-locate each time it’s closed
- New powder-coated windshield frame with polished stanchions and new windshield glass
- Install new ignition switch in the car with our “guillotine” to hold it securely against the dashboard
- New oil pressure gauge feed lines
- Matching red tonneau
- Matching red top
- New wood steering wheel
- Aluminum valve cover
- Alternator conversion
- GPS speedometer
- Electronic tachometer for better reliabilty
- Custom color matched three-point seat belts
- Extra loud air horn
- Stanchion mounted side mirrors with larger than stock dash mirror
- Hidden kill switch in driver footwell to disconnect battery
- All new brake lines and hydraulic components
- Aluminum radiator and six blade fan for hot climates
- Dual stock fuse boxes for additional circuit protection
Jesse is expensive, but the new owner gets the massive list of upgrades above at a depreciated price… it would cost a whole lot more to build up Jesse from scratch! If you want the ultimate Bugeye, give us a call!
