The recipe was so brilliantly simple that it bordered on genius. Take a basic VW Beetle platform that could be bought for peanuts in the late 1960s. Then bolt a funky fiberglass body onto it. Apply a paint job that was so bright and loaded with metal-flake that looking at it required sunglasses…and that was in a darkened room! The result was a car that captured the hearts and minds of American youth who didn’t have buckets of money to splash around. If you are old enough that you long to recapture the feel of the 1960s, perhaps this Ocelot Dune Buggy is the project for you. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder James B because he’s the man who brought this beauty to our attention. It is located in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and has been listed for sale here on Facebook. The owner is asking $1,000 OBO for this classic.

It’s probably best to clarify what the buyer will be getting for their money on this one. The asking price is for the body only. The platform beneath isn’t included. That means that you get the funky fiberglass body, the windshield, and the side panels. That might not sound like a lot, but it’s all that you need to transform Humble Herbie into Speed Buggy (and I am aware I’m showing my age with those references!). A couple of companies seem to want to lay claim to the Ocelot, but it appears that it was produced by a company called Sand Chariots in Fullerton, California. Company owner Marion Ruggles had been a builder and distributor of the iconic Meyers Manx but decided to branch out as an independent builder. He drew the inspiration for the Ocelot as a direct competitor to the Manx, right down to the name. The Manx was named after one type of cat, so it seemed fitting that this one should be named after another. The Ocelot gained significant media coverage in the 1960s through a TV show called “Groovy.” This was a Los Angeles beach-based music show hosted by Mike Blodgett. Working on the theory that they had sand, the show’s producers decided that a couple of dune buggies would make great set dressing. The legendary George Barris was called in to apply his custom touches with metal-flake paint and custom interior trim. With the words “The Groovy Ocelot” emblazoned down the side, the little buggy found itself with plenty of media publicity. Unfortunately, this promotion didn’t lead to skyrocketing sales, and Ocelot production ended permanently in 1970. No-one is sure how many were eventually built, but there is an Ocelot Registry that is trying to document as many as possible.

The interior of a dune buggy is very basic, reflecting what these vehicles were all about. There was no point in having expensive upholstery and trim if it would be constantly attacked by sand and saltwater. That is why most of them had vinyl upholstery, and many only had rubber mats on the floor. Gauges and controls were usually anything that could be salvaged from the donor Beetle. This Ocelot doesn’t come with a lot, but the fiberglass appears to be in good condition for its age. There are no significant flaws or problems visible, but it will need a check before it is repainted. One of the more important things is that the windshield and frame are present. The glass might not present a huge hassle to replace, but finding a genuine Ocelot frame could be a battle. Items like exterior lights and their trim shouldn’t pose a problem, because once again, the Beetle is the source for these parts.

The dune buggy was a vehicle very much of its time. They grew out of the swinging ’60s and the surfing culture and were the automotive embodiment of a more relaxed and carefree era. No-one can ever be sure how many buggies were built by various manufacturers, but figures of between 300,000 and 400,000 worldwide seem to be a common estimate. They represent one of the easiest and most straightforward projects that anyone could tackle in a home workshop. However, there is something that has to be considered. Those Beetles that could be bought for pennies in the 1960s have significantly increased in value. That means that building a beach buggy is nowhere near as affordable as it once was. Still, if you do long for a simpler time, maybe this is the project that you’ve been searching for.