Old dune buggies convey a wide range of emotions. Sometimes, it’s a rebellious streak; other times, it’s just plain let your hair down fun. Still other times there’s a rat rod vibe that emits off of a buggy like this one, as they were often customized every which way, from paint jobs to hopped-up engines. This claimed barn find buggy is striking me as sporting a little bit of that hot rod vibe, what with its copper glitter flake paint, staggered wheels and tires, and Empi add-ons here and there. The seller provides details on a variety of ways it’s been freshened up after being discovered, and it seems like a turnkey driver at this point. Find it here on craigslist with a $12,500 asking price.
While we can sometimes grow tired of seeing dune buggies like this pop up for sale (Facebook Marketplace can be rotten with them from time to time), it’s always a joy to see a nicely prepared example. The seller’s car looks the part with that cool copper paint job, which appears to have some light pinstriping and other details in the up-close photo of the hood area. I am digging the paint, which the seller describes as “Custom Hemway Glitter Flake Paint”, set off by a new custom vinyl roof and chrome accents on the “Bugeye” headlights and front/rear grill guard. The original aluminum windshield frame and windshield wipers are said to be rust-free.
The interior is in very nice shape, featuring an attractive black vinyl interior that the seller notes was recently installed over a pair of “UK-style roadster seats” which are said to be quite comfortable. Of course, comfort really isn’t a priority in a vehicle like this, but a little extra padding never hurts when you’re crashing over sand dunes. The buggy is also a true four-seater, so you can bring some friends along for the ride as well. The dash is described as being “all original and working” which I believe means the odometer still turns; if it does, then the seller seemingly wants you to believe the 70,000 miles showing on the clock is genuine. The condition certainly seems to support it.
The engine is a 1600 cc dual-port unit that is said to run great, and seemingly without too much effort after being extricated from storage. The seller notes that his mechanic replaced the carburetor and brakes, and it sounds like based on the description that other areas were buttoned up at the same time. The best news of all is that the floors are still solid and that the only part identified as needing replacement is a windshield wiper motor. It sure seems like this custom dune buggy has survived its years in storage without any major issues arising and that the previous owner took great pride in building a period-correct buggy. Is the asking price in the ballpark based upon the condition on display here? Thanks to Barn Finds reader TJ for the find.
Turnkey or Turkey ?
I always liked the heavy “carnival ride” metal flake paint job. Makes me think of an old Glastron boat on wheels. The seller should throw in some bell bottom jeans and a tie dye shirt.
Not a dual-port,no block-offs on the fan housing and in my option not worth the ask.
The paint looks tired. No where near a $12K car. Probably less than half that.
Art Pauly, that’s not paint. If you knew anything about these you’d know they were fiberglass kits with the color molded into the body. But yes, worth maybe 1/2 asking price in real world. But they claim , “is worth what someone is willing to pay”.
Very cool, but not $12,500 cool.
Located in Westchester, CT
Hey Hey we’re the Monkeys !
Anybody my age would know they drove one of these around on their show !
The engine isn’t a dual port, it’s a single port with an old Holley bug spray carb, as they called them back then.
My brother had one very similar to this one with the purple flake in the gell coat. The front brakes would lock up in a heart beat even on dry pavement. With L-60/15 in the rear, it would go faster in 3rd gear than 4th on the freeway with the tall windshield. Fun to drive while it lasted but it had it’s draw backs.
I’ve restored one of these, mine’s black on black, gold/silver accents for door frames, new glass, new roof, new front seats, electrical, front clip, wiring, gauges, you name it, it’s done. I need a back seat and a nut to mount the rear brake light, but everything else is finished. Front seats are reproduction cobra 427 racing seats, btw.
They could at least identify the kit. There were a lot of this one in the magazines. It’s a Berry Mini T. This kit used a full, uncut pan IIRC.
Actually these are knock-offs of Berry. He only did the body-chopped dune buggies, he didn’t do the full-plan phaetons. This is NOT a mini-T.