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  Nov. 8, 2008 6:34 p.m. NickF40 New Reader

  well, could they be? I did somewhat have a car before this but this would be my actual one. If not, I have other candidates but was just wondering I'm 17 by the way, I know, how many 17 years olds do you hear this from or let alone know what this is or would WANT to drive one

  In our garage, my dad ahs a LHD 1959, registered 1960 Froggy. It leaks, but come on now.....it did run, kind of rough but that's becuase the ignition is kind of wacked becuase it needs something, it always would backfire and sputter. It has the 948cc. My dad tryed to fix it but then it made it not start at all. Help on this would be appreciated. but is has a good platform, some rust but repairable, of course rusted exhaust, it sure sounds good. I am in a VoTech class for Auto body.

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  Nov. 8, 2008 7:22 p.m. dougie New Reader

  A Bugeye's a great place to start, use it as a driver and then maybe you and your dad can do this.

  Dougie <a href="">

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  Nov. 8, 2008 8:10 p.m. Nick Reader

  I think the Bugeye would be an awesome first car. My cousin up in Burlington Ontario had one as his first car...they're relatively simple, cheap to run, not too much of a handful power-wise. To maximize the minimalist comfort, get the roof tight so you don't get too wet when it rains.

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  Nov. 8, 2008 9:00 p.m. NickF40 New Reader

  Dougie-you don't realize how much I want to make it that!

  Thanks for the hope, maybe my dad will let me becuase he doesn't really have the ambition to work on it, he had a hip surgery but I do, all I need it for is this year of school, my last, then it's whatever!

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 8, 2008 9:39 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

  I'd say the Bugeye's a pretty good first. Really, really simple to work on, parts are generally cheap, cute, fun, and too slow to get you in too much trouble. Your young, so the utter lack of comfort shouldn't bother you too much. Doesnt' hurt that they're a total babe magnet, either.

  But remember to drive defensively. You get into a bumper with some SUV, they'll crush you. Game over. Be safe, and watch out for the other guy.

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  Nov. 8, 2008 10:14 p.m. KaptKaos Reader

  Great project. Might not be a good DD. As fun as they are, they need a calendar to time them to 60. So it's a challenge to keep up in traffic. There's no weather proofing and safety is a huge issue particularly for a young man.
  

  On the plus side, they're as simple as could be, with cheap parts and they are as cute as a button.
  

  My father, who has wisdom in spades, knew I shouldn't have a car that could carry a lot of people when I was 17. I had a 200sx, which was a 2+barely2. No back seat had the obvious benefit (in my father's mind) of not being able to go parking, but I also wasn't hauling people all over God's creation.

  Good luck and:

  
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  Nov. 8, 2008 10:46 p.m. André Rousseau Reader

  Beats the hell out of the 88 Firefly I drove at that age.

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  Nov. 8, 2008 11:39 p.m. NickF40 New Reader

  Fireflyoh man I feel sorry for you.

  like Madagascar 2, "Look how cute he is!"

  I am actually a total different driver than miost kids my age, I don't see the real need to go real fast all the time, only SOME of the time.....on back roads...

  You guys are actually making me feel better right now, I asked my dad a while back and he said " no trust me, that isn't a good first car" and I asked why and he replied "it costs money" and it isn't a good first car, my response was, well they did in the 60's and come on, this was in England, where it rains 24/7.

  oh geez, heres you pitchers enjoy

  

  

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 9, 2008 8:19 a.m. NOHOME New Reader

  The fact that you can not get it to run concerns me. You willl need to develop some mechanical empathy in order to survive with this car.

  The big difference between new and classic cars is the amount of maintenance the old cars require. None of it is hard, but it must be done.

  The car you have looks great. If it has been sitting for some time, it will take a bit of effort to sort it out and make it reliable. What kind of budget do you have to work with?

  You want it to stop, so start there. Bugeye brakes are not the best especially if it still has the drums up front. I like to replace everything on the brakes. Bugeye master cylinder prices make me cry.

  Cooling is a good thing in a daily driver. Have the rad checked out by a shop, replace the pump, belt and hoses.

  Carbs spindles wear on these and make for poor idle quality. Pull them off and have them re-built by someone who knows what they are doing. Doing the trottle shafts is not a DIY project for most people.

  Get rid of the points. Buy a pertronix ignitor and you should be good to go for spark. Of course, you want to replace the cap, rotor, plugs and wires

  How tight is the front suspension on this car?

  So for 1-2 thousand, you should be good to go with a reliable little car that will be fun to drive and easy to fix and maintain. You will also learn a LOT about how cars work.

  Pete

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  Nov. 9, 2008 10:05 a.m. KaptKaos Reader

  Nice photos on your photobucket. You've got decent taste.

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  Nov. 9, 2008 10:33 a.m. NickF40 New Reader

  thanks, but decent? come on! I belong to a model car forum and I started this one thread named, Name That Car and some of those are pictures to let people guess and name. You like my car tastes? As you can tell, I love hillclimb, rally, touring cars the most...

  Thanks Pete. The engine just needs a retune and the cooling is fine but some things might need replaced but I can rebuild them.

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 9, 2008 11:35 a.m. NickF40 New Reader

  All I want to do is this! And look and sound like this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjKPtdZa1BM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wk9JKLBylQ&feature=related

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 9, 2008 4:34 p.m. TR3only New Reader

  As long as you don't expect it to start EVERY time you need it to, and don't plan on driving in the snow...or really heavy rain, for that matter, a Sprite could be a decent first car. Me? When I was that age I didn't know anything about car maintenance and feel myself lucky to have had a few older (like late '40s-early '50s) Chrysler products to learn on. As an added bonus, they were too ugly for someone to steal...something to think about when you drive a nice sports car.

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  Nov. 9, 2008 9:06 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

  it beats the datsun 210 my dad had. and the 1974 super beetle my twin sisters let me drive when they weren't

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  Nov. 10, 2008 8:32 a.m. spitfirebill HalfDork

  That would be an awesome first car.
  

  I suspect your dad is worried that the small size of the car as a safety issue. Put a sensible roll bar in it and good seat belts. 948 Bugeyes are so slow that can't get into a lot of trouble. This would also be a awesome little autocross car. BTW the car is worth quite a few bucks. A 1275 upgrade with a datsun 5 speed would be easy.
  

  I took a road trip though the area you live many years ago. For a southern boy, I loved it.

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  Nov. 10, 2008 9:57 a.m. dougie New Reader

  <a href="">Nick,

  If your dad buys off on the Bugeye idea I would look for a removable hardtop. We just get a lot of rain here in the NW but they still help.

  Dougie

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  Nov. 10, 2008 9:10 p.m. NickF40 New Reader

  Dougie, yes that is something I always wanted to get for it and if I'd drive it, heck yeah!

  spitfirebill-thanks, that's cool, glad you like it, I think it's actually nice, even though I am kind of away from alot! it is especially a driving experience in the fall on mountain roads, oh man!

  Now all I need to do is ask my dad about it, talk with him and show him this thread! WISH ME LUCK!

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 23, 2008 9:46 a.m. Datsun1500 HalfDork

  My first car in 1986 was a 68 Datsun Roadster. I knew nothing about cars and it was my daily driver. It leaked, it was cold, and it required effort to use and maintain everyday. It also forced me to learn about cars, and to be a better driver. I blew the head gasket after 2 months, My Dad handed me a chiltons book and a tool box. Let your dad know this will teach you a respect for your car that most other kids will not have, your friends will not be able to mess with your car because they will not know how do drive it. Safety is a concern but most people will notice you because you won't blend in....

  My Son is 16 and his 69 Datsun 2000 is parked in the garage next to my 64 1500...

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  Nov. 23, 2008 1:14 p.m. NickF40 New Reader

  That is awsome, leading to more to the teens driving classics idea The thing is, if you get to know me, you'll find out that I'm NOTHING, and I mean that, like other kids. I have a respect for these cars and I have been around it my whole lofe, so I know a thing or two about it, and I have already helped work on it, I have read countless books and manuals on them and talked to people at events and shows. I am up for the new experience and learning capibility of it though, and I am all up for the my freinds not being able to know how to drive it!

  Your only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

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  Nov. 23, 2008 8:47 p.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

  It sounds like you're off to a fine start. Once you get it running, competing in autocross is very much within your reach.

  I tried drag racing, but kept blowing the apex for turn two...

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