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1971Series88
03-17-2012, 02:26 PM
Ok so i just found a 1963 Series II 109 BugEye. I can nab it for a reasonable $$.

What to do? I just bought my IIa 88, but I always wanted a 5 door!!

Good...no frame rot, no floor rot, and minimal bulkhead, all panels on outside are tip top, no surface rust anywhere on the outside. Tropical roof, interior is in great shape...really good shape.

Biggest bummer is it is RHD...so cost to convert????

It runs fine....weird though it has lights on the rad panel as well as the bugeyes on the wings?

Thoughts....what do you think?

REDrum
03-17-2012, 02:59 PM
Have you driven RHD? If not, it really isn't that hard to adjust. (whats harder is adjusting to the roads it was designed to be driven on...hate driving in UK) And, from what I understand, if you consider going there, its easier to swap a TDI into a RHD vs a LHD. Plus, you can get your mail w/o going against traffic :)

As for wanting a 109 over an 88, I'm with ya. So if you need some peer encouragement, GO FOR IT!

I would love a 109 (in concept) but for 70% of my needs, right now, an 88 is more functional/practical for me. Perhaps a 109 someday....

LaneRover
03-17-2012, 03:15 PM
I concur, adjusting to right hand drive isn't that bad. The first time or two you'll feel like a drunk neanderthal driving but in no time you'll be fine.

Strangely enough I sometimes found parallel parking hard because my 'point of view' was off. But in reality no big deal.

And other people love it if you have a dog riding with you in the 'drivers' seat.

siii8873
03-17-2012, 03:27 PM
the "bugeye" lights must have been an add on if a 63'. Having two of these is a good thing one to drive while working on a problem with the other

cinelliguy
03-17-2012, 03:40 PM
I drive a 1969 RHD 109 and it not a big deal at all. Once I got use to it, like an hour or two, I don't even think about it anymore, really.

Guy

1971Series88
03-17-2012, 04:06 PM
the "bugeye" lights must have been an add on if a 63'. Having two of these is a good thing one to drive while working on a problem with the other

I wonder if it is a real Bugeye though? Being an import ROW model the year may be right?...dunno...but it has the correct trim pieces etc, and the marker lights are side by side ... Both beehive clear..

I am not concerned about the ability to drive a RHD... I grew up with that, it just seems "sensible" to have a LHD?.....grrrrrrrrrr decisions decisions.......

Parting it out would also generate a lot more cash than what I would buy it for....but I hate to see these go that way!

I Leak Oil
03-17-2012, 06:25 PM
I wonder if it is a real Bugeye though?

Two things are for sure here. One, there were no 1963 bug eye trucks. Two, you have the roveritis virus if you're considering a second!:D

1971Series88
03-17-2012, 11:08 PM
It would be #4 :thumb-up:

Well and truly stupid!

LaneRover
03-18-2012, 07:47 AM
It would be #4 :thumb-up:

Well and truly stupid!

Woo-Hoooo!!

Skookumchuck
03-18-2012, 01:33 PM
just switch it to a LHD when your do the inevitable frame off restoration. Now you just need to find a donor truck with a LHD bulkhead.:D

o2batsea
03-18-2012, 03:39 PM
The '63 bulkhead will have the mirrored cut outs for the pedal towers and steering shaft.
To swap you will need a LH steering box, and the steering relay in the frame has to move over to the other side (rewelding). You'll reroute some brake lines and a few other odds and ends, plus move the e brake handle to the left side if is not there already. I think you'll need to swap the arms on the swivel.
Not a big thing except for the frame mods and locating a LH steering box.

A 63 five door is going to have some problems. Double check the wings and doors in particular as they are pretty much unobtanium.
I guess by "bug eye" you mean headlights in the breakfast. I think most agree that the bug eye term is for trucks post 1969 when the lights moved to the wings (fenders)

I Leak Oil
03-18-2012, 04:24 PM
Bug eye refers to the first trucks that used the non-recessed lights in the fenders, not the recessed type. They basically took the lights in the radiator support and stuck them to the outer surface of the wing.

1971Series88
03-18-2012, 08:41 PM
This has both...

bugeyes, raised chrome rings, on the wings and normal lights in the breakfast.

Trying to get some pics.

FYI - the front doors have rusted bottoms, I expect these are available from our host right?

o2batsea
03-19-2012, 05:41 AM
FYI - the front doors have rusted bottoms, I expect these are available from our host right?

Series 2-2A doors are unobtanium. You will have to modify a S3 door or repair what you have.

Jim-ME
03-19-2012, 06:47 AM
Check Ebay UK. There is a gentleman in England that makes 2a doors and I believe he ships to the US.
Jim

1971Series88
03-19-2012, 07:26 AM
OK - thanks....

I better take good care of my 88 doors then!!

According the RN website you can order a full door for around $250??

I am going to post some pictures of it soon...will pick it up this week I think.

albersj51
03-19-2012, 07:41 AM
SPG Global. I almost pulled the trigger on some. Looks like good quality at a decent price. Shipping to the US wasn't bad and they seems like good people.



Check Ebay UK. There is a gentleman in England that makes 2a doors and I believe he ships to the US.
Jim

1971Series88
03-19-2012, 10:09 AM
Do you have a website? I was trying to google it - to no avail...
Cheers.

albersj51
03-19-2012, 02:26 PM
Sorry, I dont. However, he has an ebay store on ebay UK under spglobalparts.

Jim-ME
03-20-2012, 04:36 AM
They have nothing but good things to say about the quality of his doors on the Series 2 Club forum in the UK. Even the rivet counters. Try here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/spglobalparts/m.html?item=260915364435&viewitem=&_trksid=p4340.l2562
jim

1971Series88
03-20-2012, 08:01 AM
Cheers Jim!

albersj51
03-20-2012, 08:45 AM
here is their website:

http://www.splandrovers.com/default.asp

cedryck
03-20-2012, 12:29 PM
Leave it right hand drive, I did and put my large staffy terrier in the passengers seat, little kids point and laugh, "look mommy the dog is driving" loads of fun, people think I'm the post man. :thumb-up:

1971Series88
03-20-2012, 12:39 PM
i guess I could get a job delivering mail in the country :)

albersj51
03-31-2012, 01:01 AM
here is their website:

http://www.splandrovers.com/default.asp

I order some Series 2 doors from these guys. They'll be here next week. Ill let you know what the quality is like