The Buggy Couch

(or another episode of trying to make something from nothing)

Bob Elliott - February, 2003

OK, I'll admit it, from time to time, I have more buggy bodies hanging around then the average person really needs. I also admit that I often have more ideas than money or time, but I do like building stuff. The winters are long, the garage is cold and this is something I can do in the basement. These fiberglass bodies seem to last forever, yes the gel coat fades something awful from the sun and the floors rust terribly around here.  Especially if the car is left outside, uncovered and allowed to fill in with leaves, rain and snow for years. Then after someone has let it go to crap, some times they end up with someone like me, stacked like chord wood in the back yard. You never know, I just might need it someday? Usually these can be picked up for cheap $, so don't break the bank on one of these.

First find a pretty crappy body and preferably one not worthy of a complete restore. Any front-end wreck would be the best. This one had no hood, was just a local Manx clone of no particular value, so it was a perfect candidate for the couch.

Here are some photo's of the build-up that you should be able to follow. Every car is different, every couch will be different. I adapted mine to match seat height and depths measured on a couple of couches in my house?  All I have to do is find a place for it in the house?

Pic 1 - Find a junker body. Either of these old Hawk bodies will do.

Pic 2 - A cut in front of the rear seat area and viola! Leave a little spare to trim later.

Pic 3 - Here's another view of the cut.

Pic 4 - This is a wood filler shaped to match the body lines.  It covers the raw glass edge and raises the couch a little for good seating height.

Pic 8 - Plywood seat panels cut-to-fit and provide something to staple the cushion and vinyl covering to.

Pic 7 - A view of the T-nuts used to hold the seat panels in place.  4 holds the seat bottom and 2 hold the seat back.

Pic 5 - A backside view of the front filler post.  Front is 3/4 pine backed with a post, screwed and glued in place.

Pic 6 - At this point, I decided to cover the battery tray area, but you don't need to.

Pic 9 - For the rear support, I made a shelf area out of 1 X 6 pine. You'l notice that I cut away much of the damaged rear apron, looks much better.

Pic 10 - Finished view of the rear, after sanding and buffing. A couple of rear lights from Wal-Mart and the CA plate from a flea market finish it off.

Pic 11 - Front view. I also added drink holders out of a boat catalog.  Painting the underside black seemed like the right thing to do.

Pic 12 - Side view. Maybe a nice set of wheels and tires at some?  It's up to you.

Good luck!