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The Bushwhacker was one of the first new all original designs-not another Manx clone. It was the first with side-pods integral to the design.Also unique were the front and rear single center driving and back-up lights.The low curvy body reflected the sports GT race cars of the late sixties with "coke bottle sides" combined with a higher in back hot-rod style top.Metalflake colors with wild pinstriping and loud Hawaiian print top and interiors made it an icon of the"psychedelic" age when it appeared in "The Castaways" t.v. show and later in the Jimi Hendrix movie"Rainbow Bridge". When designer Don Haskin and business partner Max Becker unveiled their new buggy it was already cloned by Marion Ruggles as the Ocelot who got his copy in the same magazine issue(Hot VW's and Dune Buggies-August 69') and took credit for the design. This made designer Don Haskin so mad he took the bodies off the market and started a rental car company in resort areas such as Hawaii,Florida,Jamaica and Puerto Rico becoming the 7th. largest carmaker in the U.S. with over 500 turn-key cars produced in 1969. The buggies were a part of the Hawaiian scene in 69 thru early seventies. Barry Hilton had his own fleet for his hotels with special blue and gold bodies with large rainbow stickers so of course one was used in "Rainbow Bridge" the Jimi Hendrix movie. Also for rent with the buggies was Don Haskin's unique Round Boat with quiet electric motor, glass bottom,glass table with ice bucket, thached roof and tiki stereo. Don Haskin and partner Max Becker also designed the " ThunderBug " showcar with their Intac Inc. flared fenders,front and rear hood scoops and spoilers for VW's sold from the "Bug House" in Studio City, CA. Don's front hood scoops live on to this day copied onto countless full front and Baja bug fiberglass hoods.Don is also the designer of the "Shrike" kitcar with Porsche/Ferrari GT styling(a failed project with only four being built). PHOTOS- http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/BushwhackDave/


Login Home Account Buggy ID Forum Registry DBA Shop Clubs Gallery History How To Members Maps Calendar Email Us	The Bushwhacker was one of the first new all original designs-not another Manx clone. It was the first with side-pods integral to the design.Also unique were the front and rear single center driving and back-up lights.The low curvy body reflected the sports GT race cars of the late sixties with "coke bottle sides" combined with a higher in back hot-rod style top.Metalflake colors with wild pinstriping and loud Hawaiian print top and interiors made it an icon of the"psychedelic" age when it appeared in "The Castaways" t.v. show and later in the Jimi Hendrix movie"Rainbow Bridge". When designer Don Haskin and business partner Max Becker unveiled their new buggy it was already cloned by Marion Ruggles as the Ocelot who got his copy in the same magazine issue(Hot VW's and Dune Buggies-August 69') and took credit for the design. This made designer Don Haskin so mad he took the bodies off the market and started a rental car company in resort areas such as Hawaii,Florida,Jamaica and Puerto Rico becoming the 7th. largest carmaker in the U.S. with over 500 turn-key cars produced in 1969. The buggies were a part of the Hawaiian scene in 69 thru early seventies. Barry Hilton had his own fleet for his hotels with special blue and gold bodies with large rainbow stickers so of course one was used in "Rainbow Bridge" the Jimi Hendrix movie. Also for rent with the buggies was Don Haskin's unique Round Boat with quiet electric motor, glass bottom,glass table with ice bucket, thached roof and tiki stereo. Don Haskin and partner Max Becker also designed the " ThunderBug " showcar with their Intac Inc. flared fenders,front and rear hood scoops and spoilers for VW's sold from the "Bug House" in Studio City, CA. Don's front hood scoops live on to this day copied onto countless full front and Baja bug fiberglass hoods.Don is also the designer of the "Shrike" kitcar with Porsche/Ferrari GT styling(a failed project with only four being built). PHOTOS- http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/BushwhackDave/ Help \| About DBA \| Terms of Use \| Kwiki Home \| Logout Content Copyright (C) 2006 Dune Buggy Archives.