1967 Volkswagen Dune Buggy

Description

This 1967 Volkswagen dune buggy is the automobile distilled into pure fun. Sure, it's still transportation, but this car was built to put a big grin on your face and nothing else. It offers lots of recent work, so it's not only great looking but also ready to enjoy.

We can all but guarantee you'll be the only guy tooling around in one of these even though the look is instantly familiar. Unlike, say, the Myers Manx, this is strictly a 2-seater and that gives it neat proportions that look great, as if it were a cross between a dune buggy and a T-bucket. Long, flowing fenders contrast with the squared-off deck in back, but the whole design is very professional and well-executed so nothing looks sub-standard. Repainted two years ago, the fiberglass is in good condition with no major signs of age and a great gloss that's quite appropriate to something of this vintage. This is motoring down to its barest essence, so there isn't much chrome save for the bug-eyed headlights up front and that big, upright windshield. In back, the VW Beetle engine becomes an integral part of the overall look and it's fascinating to watch this sucker run down the road.

More minimalism inside where simple pleated black vinyl looks good, wears well, and is weather-resistant enough for its alfresco duties. Hop over the side of the tub and it's easy to settle in behind the wheel and you'll find that the driving position is more early British roadster than German economy car, and with those big pontoon fenders out there, you can clip apexes more easily than you ever thought possible. Creature comforts are few and that's entirely the point here; anything that wasn't necessary for the job of having fun was omitted. That means no windshield wipers, no heater, not even a radio, simply because you'll be blasting along having too much fun to need to worry about additional entertainment. The VW's original gauge pod was neatly installed in the dash and aftermarket turn signals are affixed to the side of the steering column for safety's sake. Floor coverings are institutional and easy to maintain, which is this car's mantra.

VW's air-cooled flat four needs no introduction, and this 1493 cc unit provides plenty of power for the flyweight dune buggy. Painted bright red to match the bodywork, the engine is equipped with the usual hop-up parts, including a bigger carburetor that was installed in June 2014, and exotic exhaust headers with chrome tips that are as much styling element as noise suppression system. The Beetle's 4-speed manual transmission and floor pan made the transition intact and with the low center of gravity, handling is adept. Obviously this was never someone's winter beater, so the underside remains in very good order with no glaring trouble spots. Lots of finned aluminum helps with the air-cooled engine at seed and you'll undoubtedly find that this car loves to play. Oddly enough, GM Rally wheels bolt right on and now carry 205/70/15 front and 235/60/15 rear tires that look positively gigantic on the tiny car's frame.

This car also comes with a tow bar to be used behind, say, an RV, suggesting that someone has already realized that a vacation on wheels is what this car is all about. Call today!