Randy Kern Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Another stalled project I started earlier this year, and finally finished. Bob Downie's exceptional build of this kit got me started, once I finally found the right wheels and tires. This is the Gunze Sangyo 1/24 scale kit of the Austin-Healey 'Bugeye' Sprite, which I believe is the only manufacturer to do one in this scale range. It is a curbside, their 'low tech' version, as their 'high tech' version includes metal parts and photo etched badges. I built it how I might want my 1/1 Bugeye to look like some day. Instead of the ordinary old British Red, I spiced it up with Tamiya's Mica Red, with a black interior. The wheels are Fujimi's version of Panasports, to me the best looking brand of the infamous Minilite style wheel. Along with getting the car as low as possible, I also made a p.e. mesh grille, cut down the windshield, converted the dash to L.H. drive, made a Moto Lita brand steering wheel, added seat belts, solder roll bar, solder exhaust with dual aluminum tip muffler, and p.e. badges. Hopefully, I will embarrass my son (NickF40) with an early photo of him and our Bugeye in my signature box. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Kern Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 CHEERS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Wow, that turned out killer Wish I had another kit to do like this. The custom tricks really work. Saw a baby blue one on the road last Saturday morning...easy to forget how tiny this car is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Nice Bugeye Randy!! I think yours is the first one of that kit I've seen built! That paint looks flawless! Your Bugeye reminds me an awful lot of my old '71 MG Midget------a very tiny car by even today's standards for sure! ...........And look at little Nickie!.............awwwww............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonoPed Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Very cool build!! What's the part number for those wheels?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick F40 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 (edited) Awww dang, I missed it! I didn't get to see it finished, oh well. It sure came out good, I love the way it turned out and I see you got the exhaust perfect! now, about that real one......... Yeah yeah Bill, I just noticed I look a bit like Angus Young! :blink: Edited August 20, 2008 by Nick F40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul_Perez Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Very nicely built little Bugeye, Randy!! The paint and BMF work look GREAT!! The cut-down glass makes it look MEAN!! Hey, I din't know that Nick F40 was your son!! Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 (edited) Yeah yeah Bill, I just noticed I look a bit like Angus Young! Yeah, just throw on a ball cap with a bunch of long curly hair attached to the back, and pick up a guitar and you got it! Oh, but you need to fix your socks! That looks great, Randy! I can't wait to see it at the Sept. meeting. Meanest looking Bugeye I've ever seen! Edited August 20, 2008 by dub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick F40 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Very nicely built little Bugeye, Randy!! The paint and BMF work look GREAT!! The cut-down glass makes it look MEAN!! Hey, I din't know that Nick F40 was your son!! Later, Yeah, just throw on a ball cap with a bunch of long curly hair attached to the back, and pick up a guitar and you got it! Oh, but you need to fix your socks! That looks great, Randy! I can't wait to see it at the Sept. meeting. Meanest looking bugeye I've ever seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Kern Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Raul, maybe I shouldn't have divulged that information? Brian, that wheel & tire set is no longer made, so your best bet is shows, swap meets or e-bay, where I found them. I wish they would re-do 'em, I know they would sell well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Zoom Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 (edited) Very cool build!! What's the part number for those wheels?? Raul, maybe I shouldn't have divulged that information? laugh.gif Brian, that wheel & tire set is no longer made, so your best bet is shows, swap meets or e-bay, where I found them. I wish they would re-do 'em, I know they would sell well. They were just reissued again Hobbysearch Hobbylink Edited August 20, 2008 by Zoom Zoom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Very nice Bugeye Sprite. Now you just need to get a Sunbeam Tiger to go along side of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E St. Kruiser50 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 (edited) Anything in then "Weeds" is cool and this is VERY COOL !!. Love the color and the wheels. A buddy of mine years ago had a yellow one and we'd cruiz all around in that thing. Sure was fun back in the day. Edited August 20, 2008 by Treehugger Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E. Bowers Jr. Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Exceptional build! This one is perfectly done in every respect. Stance and wheel combintion really is perfect, These two really make or break a finished build in my opinion. Well done!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul_Perez Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Raul, maybe I shouldn't have divulged that information? Brian, that wheel & tire set is no longer made, so your best bet is shows, swap meets or e-bay, where I found them. I wish they would re-do 'em, I know they would sell well. Now it makes sense why I got an email from Nick F40 saying that his father was injured in a bike accident, but the note didn't say who his father was. The note read like Nick F40 had been injured and his son was letting people know that his father, Nick F40 had been injured. Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegt738 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Now that is one hot little sprite, very well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyle Willits Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 That's just cute as a bug,,,,,,,,,,,,,okay, that was too easy. This is a really cool build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randx0 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 great job .It looks great . I really like your treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon7665 Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Wow Slippery Looking Lil' Bugger you got there!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Peterson Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 All that's left to do is build a scale Nick, and you're done! Between you and Lyle, I'm already finding plenty of photos right here for the October club newlsetter! This little hot rod is mad cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lombardo Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Great build there, the color is unusual for the car but it works very well. I agree that the BRG is just to obvious for the car. I have a 1/1 MGA in BRG (brought it in that color) and all though it looks good, it is not my favorite. The MGB my son and I are currently rebuilding is painted in a hot new pearl red color very much like your build. I like the color we both chose. I also like your wheel choice...the Minilite look is great on the car. My only problem with bugeye's is that they, in real life, are just too small for me. At the British car shows, they get a lot of attention, as everyone loves the look, but I like a little more "tin" around me. Nice build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Wow Randy, you impress me every time w/ your beautiful builds, color is gorgeous too!!! Hope to see this thing soon hopefully at the next meeting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Impala Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Wow! Nice build! Great color and detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FactoryStock54 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Sweet! I definitely like that shade of red! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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