This Volkswagen-based dune buggy is an unnamed kit that follows the traditional Meyers-Manx recipe. Apparently, there’s been a small fortune in performance parts thrown at this dune buggy, so much that the seller constantly refers to it as a 1954 Porsche 356 in the listing. Let’s take a closer look and see if the Porsche origins can be proven. Find the Manx replica here on eBay with bidding currently at $7,000.
The seller freely admits he received this buggy kit as part of an inheritance from a friend. The car was seemingly built on the West Coast and then moved to Vermont when ownership changed. The current owner apparently doesn’t have much interest in the car beyond using it during the warmer months; this is not all that surprising when you consider the buggy was likely a gift from the estate.
What I mean by that last statement is that if owning a project car wasn’t on your list of things to do, it can seem like a major burden to take one on. Fortunately, this car isn’t much of a project, with excellent paint, chrome, windows and more. What remains a mystery is exactly what this dune buggy kit features for Porsche performance parts, as the seller doesn’t have a list with his current inventory.
It’d really benefit the seller to find more about the modifications performed before he took ownership, as it looks like a fairly comprehensive build. The seller mentions $40,000 in modifications by the previous owner, so hopefully, he’ll find a comprehensive way to share all that information – but it may take a while, and not before the auction’s end.
Heads are 356/912 and wheels are 911. Heads just don’t bolt on to VW cases so you could assume it’s 356/912 also or someone did a whole bunch of machine work. Taillights are late ’57 to ’65. Nicely built.
356 engine. Definitely not a Manx, but it is very nice. The engine may be worth $5K alone.
Title should include replica.
The title shouldn’t include a make and model that it isn’t. How about Fiberglass Buggy, if you don’t know what it is?
Neat buggy it will be interesting to see what it sells for.
When the legendary Bruce Meyers built the first fiberglass dune buggy body, The paint wasn’t dry before guys were making copies. Talk about innovative- making a cool body that you made a car out of using very common vw parts, Bruce was a genius. Sorry to see that his idea was stolen, but he went on to build some other vw based cars, like the Towd.
Cheers
GPC
Per the seller, the reserve is $11,000.
11K reserve is a fair one. Real Fuchs and a 356 engine. This is definitely one cool buggy. Couldn’t build one now for less than 20K.
Too bad its on the East Coast… its too much too ship it back and then box it and ship it across the ocean to me. With that list of goodies you don’t dare leave it on the docks open and vulnerable. You would get a tub and a pan and the “We aren’t liable” crap on the receiving end.
It would be a perfect all weather toy for use here…
If it’s got all these Porsche parts and it’s so special wouldn’t you as a seller be listing ALL these components in an attempt to increase the perceived value? I highly question any statements when it’s presented in this manner!
Don’t bid if you are in Texas, buggies not allowed.
What ever happened to the “Brady GT” kits? They were popular back in the 70’s.
Marsha
Marsha
Marsha
Perhaps Bradley GT?
This thing is really well thought out. If you like outdoor big boy toys then this is it.
God bless America
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2019/06/18/new-law-greenlights-dune-buggies-in-texas-excludes-sand-rails-for-now/
Sold for $14,600.