bugeyeguy – Page 39

Nick’s Tech Tips: Don’t let broken brakes leave you hosed!

March 31, 2023 by bugeyeguy

Hydraulics are the number one fault area on British cars, primarily because moisture gets in the fluid and causes problems. The most common repair issue in the hydraulic system is leaking or seized wheel cylinders, master cylinders, and slave cylinders… but there is one issue that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle during maintenance proceedings… rubber hydraulic hoses.

This week, we had a Bugeye up on one of our lifts for a complaint of sticking rear brakes. The car would stop, but the rear brakes would stay applied even after the brake pedal returned. After a few minutes, the rear brakes would release and the cycle would repeat itself. This is a tell-tale sign that your brake hoses need to be replaced. In the below photo, you can see why:

This is an extreme example, but aged-out rubber brake hoses are a ticking time bomb. If left unchecked, they can completely close off, causing your rear brakes to underperform, or not perform at all.

Brake hoses are made of rubber. As with any rubber part exposed to the elements, brake hoses deteriorate over time; standard hydraulic fluid, which absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, doesn’t help matters, either. The “fun” part about brake hoses is that they are double-layer hoses, two layers of rubber bonded together. The most common failure point on hoses is not an external rupture and susequent leak; what usually happens is the two layers of rubber separate, the inner layer collapses on itself, and your brake hose turns into a one-way check valve. This allows brake pressure to travel to the brakes and applying them, but not allowing the fluid to travel away from the wheels to allow those brakes to retract. It will feel like your parking brake is stuck on, but in reality, your brake hose is holding the fluid hostage!

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Is an EV classic car right for you?

March 24, 2023 by bugeyeguy

This is a “charged” topic (pun intended). Like it or not, EVs are the next big thing in the automotive world. Perhaps your neighbor just got an EV, and maybe you’ll be getting one soon too. And EV media hype is likely to stay “amped up” for the foreseeable future, as more and more new EVs come on the market.

Maybe this is exactly why classic cars should stay gas-powered… to stay “classic.” And there is a large group of consumers who fully intend to keep their ICE-powered old car and the exhaust note that comes with every gas-powered vintage car. I own about nine gas burners in my little collection, and I’m with you!

FrogE 1’s battery enclosure was mostly housed under the bonnet, with some cells fitted under the trunk for optimal weight distribution.

But hear me out, because I believe we should welcome EV classic cars with open arms, also. Our company is still very committed to great gas-powered restorations, parts and modifications, and we expect that gas engines will occupy most of our energies for the foreseeable future. But we also believe that EVs are one of the best ways we can produce the most reliable classic cars on the road. The motors are bulletproof. There’s no transmission to jump out of gear or leak oil. No carburetor issues. And no clutch issues for clients with knee, hip or body challenges… one-pedal driving is easy on the body.

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Best of the best LHD 1960 Morris Minor Traveller for sale! Exceptional restoration with all the best upgrades– 1275 engine, five-speed gearbox and lots more!

March 23, 2023 by bugeyeguy

NOW SOLD to Bob in Arkansas! Congratulations Bob and family!

This 1960 Morris Minor is something quite special. I’ve owned quite a few of these cars over the years, and this is a particularly sensational example that was the subject of a very high level restoration. Most of these Minors were everyday utility vehicles and now show significant wear. This car, however, was treated to the best of everything during restoration and is far better than when new.

She shines beautifully, and the woodwork is also exceptionally well-restored… the wood and the paint looks brand new. The interior is excellent. The underside is excellent. If you want one of the best, this is your car.

This particular Traveller also has all the right upgrades to make this eye-catching classic into a very usable vehicle that can take-on the modern world. The front brakes have been upgraded to discs, more efficient and powerful replacements for the original front drums. The engine has also been upgraded to a rebuilt 1275 with twin SU HS2 carbs, a great improvement over the original single SU tethered to the 848cc A-series engine that was standard Minor equipment in 1960. Additional reliability upgrades were incorporated into the engine swap, such as Pertronix electronic ignition, K & N lifetime air filters, spin-on oil filter and an alternator (for better charging).

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1959 driver with 1275 power, Datsun 5 speed & front discs! Drive video!

March 17, 2023 by bugeyeguy

NOW SOLD to Ramon in North Carolina!!! Congratulations! Our 390th!

“Celebrity” is a striking Bugeye we fully serviced and upgraded about a year ago with more than $15,000 worth of improvements (including new painted wire wheels and tires, exhaust header and a complete front end rebuild).

When Vanity fair decided to do a photo shoot for their George Clooney feature, they needed a classic car, and chose this particular Bugeye for the shoot!

“Celebrity” posed underneath Mr. Clooney

Our celebrity Bugeye roster is growing, now that we provided Caitlyn Jenner with her Bugeye (see above) and also sold Keven Bacon’s former (green) Bugeye a while back (see below). Everyone is famous when they sit in (or on) a Bugeye. Samantha wanted to call this car “Clooney Booty” for obvious reasons, but we settled on “Celebrity” instead.

“Celebrity” (AN5L 20078) is a very nice uprated driver with a 1275 engine, five speed Datsun transmission conversion, front disk brakes, front sway bar and wire wheels. The master cylinders were upgraded to later Sprite separate clutch and brake masters. This is a popular upgrade that makes service easier.

We have put in a new brake master and new rear wheel cylinders as well as resealed the axles and rebuilt the rear brakes. The car runs well, handles well, and stops nicely.

Check out the video below, which includes more commentary:

This is a perfect car for anyone who wants all the best Bugeye modifications on a cosmetically strong (but not perfect) car. Celebrity is a driver that you can use and enjoy, and also show. There are a few very minor cosmetic flaws, and the dashboard has a later style ignition switch (which happens to be more reliable) but the five speed is a dream, and totally transforms these cars, so this is perhaps one of the best assets you are buying should you choose this car.

As with all these old cars, they come to us with a punch list which we will sort out for the new owner. This one needs the speedometer and horn repaired, and the front end aligned, all of which we can fix in partnership with the new owner before the car departs our facility.

The car is a striking gray metallic, with a faint violet hue. The wire wheels look great. Give a call if you would like to make Celebrity yours!

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Upgraded and restored 1977 MGB for sale!

March 17, 2023 by bugeyeguy

Now SOLD to James in Colorado! Congratulations on a beautiful British cruiser!

Looking for an inexpensive summer ride? This MGB is ready for Summer fun, beautifully restored and ready to drive. She’s tastefully upgraded with a wooden dashboard, side draft Weber carburetor, upgraded stereo and excellent matching red tonneau cover. Excellent exterior and interior, and quick!

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Fresh Rubbers!

March 17, 2023 by bugeyeguy

Before Spring driving season blooms, make sure to give your car a good visual inspection, with a particular focus on your rubber bits. (If you’re looking to get your car ready to drive this spring, and would rather have us run through it and tighten things up, give us a call and we will be happy to give your car the attention it needs… we pick up nationwide).

The examples below came to us from an armada of British cars here in our workshop for driving-season maintenance. For example, inner control arm bushings need to be fresh so that your suspension is good and tight. These were long past their expiration date. If you see cracked rubber flared out around your inner control arm mounts, it’s time to replace!

Here are some motor mounts we removed this week from a Morris Minor, also well past their useful life. Morris Minors and Bugeyes use the same engine mounts, so if yours look like this, make the change!

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