By the time 1970 rolled around, it was clear that two things would survive an atomic blast: cockroaches and air-cooled Volkswagen Beetles. The indestructible little People’s Car became the underpinning for a variety of interesting kit cars and low-production vehicular creations including this 1970 El Lobo Dune Buggy in Mill Valley, California. Thanks to reader Tony P. for spotting this fiberglass classic.
I remember when you could buy Cal Custom, Mr. Gasket, and other bare foot gas pedals in the local Jamesway or K-mart, and it looks perfect in this El Lobo. Claimed leather seats raise the bar and look more comfortable than thinly padded fiberglass jobs in many dune bugs. Check out a similar El Lobo here on YouTube.
A 1966 Beetle platform supports the molded fiberglass buggy tub and a later 1776 cc (105 cid) Type III air-cooled flat four hangs out in the back, powering the rear wheels for excellent traction. Check out what look like Mustang tail lights! Unless the pictures were taken at different times, this buggy has a five slot mag on the right rear and a steel wheel with a “baby moon” on the left rear. The bikini top provides shade and partial protection from rain.
The playful and claimed street-legal El Lobo comes with a tow bar for RV owners wanting a lightweight “toad,” (towed vehicle) for easy planetary exploration after docking their 45-foot space freighter. The seller describes the builder as “Woodford of La Crescenta, CA.” while Old School Dune Buggies and Sand Rails shows a vintage ad from the The Buggy House in Hayward, California.
The rear seat offers cargo space and room for two, though hopefully there’s a seatbelt or two back there. Leave that phone zipped in your bag; dune buggies feature no bumpers, crumple zones, air bags, or emergency braking systems. Eyes on the road, folks! That said, it’s hard to imagine a cooler extra vehicle. Plan for smiles and thumbs-up wherever this fire engine red fun buggy goes. Check out more pictures and details here on Craigslist where this pint-sized buggy goes for $8500. What adventure would you plan for this VW-based El Lobo?
Wow! That’s looks fun! Before hitting the road with it. It needs front wheel alignment! That left wheel is turned to the left and the right wheel. it’s turned a little to the right. That right rear wheel has the old style slotted mags maybe by cragar wheel company. Or ET wheels. Anyway it’s a very fair price. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
I’ll take this over any fake Speedster any day.Nice looking buggy..wish I had room!
In the Woody Allen movie “Sleeper”, set in the future, he finds a VW in a cave. After saying something like, “in their time, these were known to be quite reliable”, he gets in and starts it right up.
I had one several years ago, I don’t think I had 500 bucks in it. The popularity and the price has certainly gone up. We lived in Mazatlan Mexico for about 8 years, I would have really liked to have had a dune buggy then. Anyone who has been to Mazatlan knows about all the VW’s there. They have tons of modified VW’s that they call Pulmania’s , they are basically modified dune buggies for carry people (tourists). They are unique to Mazatlan and have an interesting history, that I won’t go into now. I will say if you are ever in Mazatlan it is great fun to see the city and usually an A ticket ride.