|
|
Post by mesaboogieman on Sept 21, 2020 6:57:16 GMT
Hi Alll ! Just thought I’d introduce myself. I’m a virgin bug owner, based in Chessington Surrey. having been intrigued by these strange vehicles for many years. I’ve restored quite a few ‘normal’ classics over the years MGs Triumphs etc but never anything like this! My bug is in a sorry state after being disassembled and left in a garden for 28years. I’m told it is known to the club, I have no history with it so would welcome any info at all The reg is OPK73L. This is the ebay advert www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274485302084Looking forward to bringing it back to life and meeting other bug owners! Cheers Dave |
|
|
|
Post by vannin on Sept 21, 2020 9:24:51 GMT
welcome to the world of Bond Bugs Dave, i love the bit in the advert for your bug
were it says "very easy project" what planet are these people on ?
good luck with the rebuild and keep us all posted and if it's your first Bug you
will have lots of questions for the forum during the restoration.
p.s have you joined the Bug club yet ? worth every penny and well worth joining
|
|
|
|
Post by karl on Sept 21, 2020 9:40:56 GMT
Welcome.
Bug owner from dartford:)
|
|
|
|
Post by ady on Sept 21, 2020 20:04:25 GMT
Good to have you as a fellow bugger.
You'll find it a strangely normal car when you get under it's skin.
|
|
|
|
Post by mesaboogieman on Sept 21, 2020 20:25:24 GMT
Thanks guys. Yes I will certainly join the club, I need all the help I can get! Lots of questions, it would be good to have a look over a good example to see whats missing and how it all goes together, that would be a huge help.
I just had a look at the chassis today and its a LOT worse than I thought, can’t find any repair sections for sale so may have to get the main rails made, hopefully the rest is salvageable!
|
|
|
|
Post by karl on Sept 22, 2020 5:32:35 GMT
You can alter a rialto chassis and I believe someone is making new ones at around the £1000 mark.
Welcome to look at mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by vannin on Sept 22, 2020 6:34:34 GMT
if your chassis is as bad as it sounds, might be worth biting the bullet
and buying a brand new one or get yours blasted and see what's left ?
|
|
|
|
Post by rogeru7 on Sept 22, 2020 12:33:35 GMT
Thanks guys. Yes I will certainly join the club, I need all the help I can get! Lots of questions, it would be good to have a look over a good example to see whats missing and how it all goes together, that would be a huge help. I just had a look at the chassis today and its a LOT worse than I thought, can’t find any repair sections for sale so may have to get the main rails made, hopefully the rest is salvageable! Hi I live in the Bournemouth area and you are more than welcome to visit and look over a Bug and have a chat regards Roger |
|
|
|
Post by mesaboogieman on Sept 23, 2020 7:31:28 GMT
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!
I’ve cleaned up the chassis a bit with the wire wheel on a grinder so I can see what’s what. One bottom rail is not too bad, just a few holes in the underside. The other is virtually non existent. I’m getting a local metalworks to make two new U channels and closing plates. If I do one side at a time and make sure its well braced it should be ok. I’m thinking I could use the body as a jig, turn it upside down and tack the chassis together while its resting on it.
Thanks for the offer Roger, that would be great but is there anyone a bit nearer to KT9 who wouldn’t mind me having a look around their bug?
Cheers Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by cdb15 on Sept 23, 2020 23:57:33 GMT
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! I’ve cleaned up the chassis a bit with the wire wheel on a grinder so I can see what’s what. One bottom rail is not too bad, just a few holes in the underside. The other is virtually non existent. I’m getting a local metalworks to make two new U channels and closing plates. If I do one side at a time and make sure its well braced it should be ok. I’m thinking I could use the body as a jig, turn it upside down and tack the chassis together while its resting on it. Thanks for the offer Roger, that would be great but is there anyone a bit nearer to KT9 who wouldn’t mind me having a look around their bug? Cheers Dave I seem to be about 25 miles away from you, in East Grinstead. On the plus side, my Bug is up on stands so you can crawl around underneath (on carpet, we're very posh in East Grinstead...) in the comfort of my garage and have a look. On the down side, it's a Webster 4 wheeler, based on a Robin chassis with a mini front sub-frame, so not much good perhaps for seeing what the three-wheeler front end should look like. Others on here far more expert than me may be able to say how similar the Robin chassis might be to the 'proper' Bug. Assuming it's the chassis that you're primarily interested in at the moment?
We can also offer you a coffee in the latest Tom Karen-designed Bug Mug (but you must promise not to break it as I haven't used it myself yet !)
|
|
|
|
Post by mesaboogieman on Sept 24, 2020 16:29:13 GMT
Thanks for the offer! you’re really close by but I’d like to look at a fairly standard one. I’m sure I’ll drop round some time, a four wheeler is a rare beast.
|
|
