Our to do list is getting shorter, but we still have a few items that need our attention. First, we need to install the heater/fresh air ducting or “trunk.” This was an easy job because the duct that we had previously used was almost new and pre-bent. A large black “P” clip is used to secure the duct to the right hand engine bay valance. We wanted to make sure that the ducting would not come in contact with the underside of the bonnet so we used a piece of paper and some adhesive tape to check that we had clearance. We did. This process is outlined in the Bugeye Restoration Video Episode One Hundred-fifteen.
Heater/Fresh Air Duct Installed
Given the size and low height of the Bugeye front-end, it is an excellent candidate for road debris and rock chip damage. So, we decided to have a paper protection film (PPT) applied to the front nose. Paint Protection Film is a high-performance aliphatic polyurethane film. It is specifically designed to protect painted surfaces and other materials from abrasion, corrosion, chemicals, and other types of physical damage. The installation was done in Sarasota by Ceramic Pro. https://ceramicprosarasota.com
Ceramic Pro claims that their film is the only true ceramic-infused paint protection film on the market. It arrives from the factory pre-coated with Ceramic Pro’s proprietary PPF & Vinyl formula. This allows one to have all the benefits of self-healing paint protection film with the added hydrophobic and self-cleaning action of a Ceramic Pro ceramic coating.
It is difficult to see the time in the image below, but that is the point isn’t it? The film runs from just below the headlight dishes to the bottom edge of the bonnet front.
Paint Protection Film Applied
With the PPT installed, we were finally in a position to put the signature Bugeye chrome grille in place! That smiling chrome mouth makes the Bugeye or Frogeye, if you prefer. We had the grille chromed by Dallas Plating in Georgia and were very pleased with their work. The grill is held in place with 12 small speed, or spire, nuts. We found that using a small socket driver to push the nuts in place worked quite well.
We also installed the round Sprite badge in the center of the bonnet and that little bit of color really pops on the bonnet. These badges are notorious for coming loose and getting lost on the road. We drilled a small hole on each side of the badge and ran a wire horizontally through the back of the badge to hopefully prevent a loss if the badge were to become loose.
Bugeye Grille Installed
Next up was the front sidelights/turn indicators. As we previously discussed when installing the rear beehive glass bowls and chrome trim rings, these can be a challenge to install. As with the rear, we taped a rubber protection shield we made from an inner tube to the area around each one of the lights before attempting to install the glass and chrome. This worked quite well and the front lights actually went in pretty easily.
Body protection for sidelight glass and trim installation
Since acquiring the Bugeye years ago, we had always used one of the original steel wheels as a spare tire. However, the steel wheel will not fit around the rear disc brake calipers. Unfortunately, Panasport no longer makes a 13 inch wheel for the Sprite so we ordered a VTO wheel that looks very similar. We had one of the Pirelli tires mounted to the VTO wheel and will install it in the boot and secure it with a two piece strap similar to the original. The strap was purchased from Sports and Classics.
VTO Wheel
Finally, we adjusted the headlights. There are several good instructional videos available on YouTube to show how this is done. The early Sprites have three adjustment screws on each light and these are used to focus the light either left or right, up or down. Once the headlights were properly focused, we installed the chrome trim rings. This was easy given that we chose to use spring clips like those used on an MGB rather than the single self-tapping screw inserted through the lower point of the trim ring. Detail about the spring clips is covered in Bugeye Restoration Video Episode Fifty-eight: https://vimeo.com/916270590/1a203247b5?share=copy
One more bit of chrome on the front of the Bugeye really dresses it up!
Bugeye Headlight Trim Rings Installed
Bugeye Restoration Video Episode One Hundred-Fifteen may be viewed by clicking this link: https://vimeo.com/1117237383/2d360a8fd0?share=copy
0:00 – Heater/fresh air ducting installation
1:29 – Paint Protection Film (PPT)
2:00 – Sidelight/Turn Indicator installation
2:20 – Chrome Bonnet Grille Installation
2:45 – Bonnet Badge