As I write this, I’m sitting on the floor of the bag-claim area at the Houston airport, waiting for my LeMons accomplices to arrive from California, with Pantera cranking in my headphones in order to get myself in the proper Texas frame of mind. Yes, races on consecutive weekends; it’s like being in a traveling rock-n-roll band, only with the smell of burning brakes/engines/wiring instead of groupies and limos. With low-budget racing in mind, let’s contemplate a battered little racer that won’t be seeing a track, ever again.
Yep, it’s a Bugeye. As the owner of a much-butchered Sprite, I’m saddened to see this former race car in a Sacramento-area self-service yard, preparing to be devoured by The Crusher’s cruel steel jaws.
Evil Clint, the madman behind the Previa-blown 320i racer, found this car on a recent junkyard-prowling expedition and sent me these photos. He didn’t have any use for the headers or Borgward transmission on the ground next to the car, but he did pull this nice aircraft oil cooler from the Sprite.
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Man that is a bloody shame!
I had a 74 Midget back in the late 90s that was the most fun I have ever had in a go-cart like deathtrap “car”.. It proved entertaining for others as well, being 6’3″ tall and around 250lbs!
Somebody needs to pull that out of the boneyard and fix it up! A Bugeye is just too cool and/or cute to get crushed, and this example looks pretty clean except for the body damage. Get out a hammer, dolly and some Bondo and make a rat-rod out of it!
Bloody California. They waste classics like Saudi royals waste gas.
If that was on craigslist, the description would be, “runs and drives”.
I’ve never understood that, really – are there cars that will drive but not run?
No, but there are cars that will run but aren’t really drivable (usually because the transmission costs more to fix than the car is worth).
Then there’s “lot drives” which means the higher gears and/or brakes don’t work.
Holy cow. The junkyards around here (Chicago) are way too boring. On the other hand, it’s a nice place to maintain/restore a Panther. Or a Mark. We got a ton of those and even more Northstars. No exotics or anything pre-1980 though… <sigh>
Welcome to Houston, y’all!
Its a shame that a classic racer like this would end up in a junkyard while bodykit Civics roam free, no appreciation for real quality I tell ya!
Even if this things undrivable its still worth saving as a car show piece.
Cute little car: mom loved those and always said you could add some fluorescent faux fur above the headlights to have a roadgoing Muppet mobile. Hm, there’s a theme for a prospective LeMons team.
You’d think there would be a trade school somewhere that could use that basket case as a restoration project.
Geez!!!
Please someone save the pocket rocket from the jaws!!!!!
I saw one at a classic race here in Monterrey a few years ago, nice car!
(no matter what TopGear says we have races and classic auto clubs)
Best regards!
hmmn 12v positive ground Lucas electrics. Whitworth tooling. Wimpy pushrod engine and weak ass transmission. But if the driver’s door on the 528e beside it is any good …