Buggy Id Models

ACE Industries Pickup. "ACE" is molded into the tailgate.

Action Fiberglass built many different models of dune buggy body. The version they often advertised was called the Roadster. It was a Mini T like buggy with a high and shorter side. The pickup bed was higher up and at an angle vs. the Berry design. Action Fiberglass is rumored to have been one of the many maker who were sued by Meyers in the 70's lawsuits he tried to lobby. They also built a Standard Model, SS, and Super as well as the pickup styled Roadster.

Aero Buggy was one off racer built by Scott and Mark Hannum, wrecked, and then sold. It is not known where it is now. Aero Buggy's history can be seen by viewing the Aero Buggy Page.

The German Imp was manufactured under license from EMPI by both AHS and Karmann. In general it looks like a 68-69 EMPI Imp except that it has extensions on the front fender to cover the wheel and a lower tail to cover the engine in order to make it road legal in Germany.

This body is similar to a classic style. It has very noticable IdTraits that seperate it from other dune buggy models. The hood has a one off license plate box that is a curved recess. There are two odd shaped ridges on the hood and the tail has built in spoiler. It was primarily sold around the Michigan and Indian border area. Berrien Buggy even sold this body style in 1968. It has been nick named the Fish mouth buggy for it's different nose.

This is an Aker Plastics buggy I just found on ebay. It is the only example of the T buggy they sold in Indiana and Michigan to compete with Citation that we have found. Notice the tail, and the hood ridges.

Alameda Fiberglass built this dune buggy body. Limited mainly to Southern California in the Alameda area. I have seen a similar tail like this in an Ohio and Florida unknown body.

Alameda Fiberglass built this style of pickup kit. One of the most complete and original pickup kits offered. Check out the tail "Bustle" or as some called it, diaper. This one is owned by the original owner and builder. Anyone know more about this manufacturer?

AlbarES (See The Dune Buggy Handbook for a full description)

Abar S (See The Dune Buggy Handbook for a full description)

Allied Fun Buggy Model 20-2 is a standard size dune buggy body.

The Allied 30 30 was very similar to the 20 2, only the this model is unique in that it has opening doors. The hood and tail are the same as the 20 2 standard style buggy. Both were built for shortened chassis.

Allied dune buggy. Just like the model 20-2 but this one is for a full size vw floorpan.

This is the full tilt dune buggy from Allied. This one has wide opening doors low entry, and details galore.

Allison Fiberglass based in Daytona Beach Florida built the Allison Daytona.

Andeck was very famous during the sixties for the huge line accessories they sold. The designed a Clone body that would easily stack inside each other 20 at a time for cross country shipping. The price was low and sales were high. A key IDTrait is the triangle shape in the rear fender area.

Apache Roadster is like many T buggy clones of the original BerryMiniT. The key IdTrait here is the shield shapes bump on the nose of the T buggy hood. It is the same as the decal bump on the SandShark Clone. Apache was based in Geneva Ohio.

Apache Fiberglass in Springfield Ohio made a version fo the Sand Shark buggy that was also built elsewhere. The easy ID trait for an Apache was a sheild shaped bump on the nose of the buggies they built. The Apache Roadster had the same bump. Apache had foil backed stickers with the logo for the company on these bumps. My buddy has one and we need to get it photographed for reference. The Apache kits also had an optional fiberglass wrapped windshield area unlike any other kit of the day.

Apache Fiberglass made a body they advertisied as the Apache Standard. It was basically a Manx Clone with the triangular shield shaped bump instead of the manx bump on the hood. The windshield was fiberglass enclosed just like the option on the Sand Shark they made if so chosen.

Apal... (See The Dune Buggy Handbook for a full description)

Aquacraft Boat Inc. from Atlanta, GA appears to have made a licensed copy of the Kyote but under the name Koyote.

Not much is know about the Arabian Fiberglass dune buggy kits that were sold. There seem to be some slight changes in the examples we have on file. We are not sure if they are due to owner mods or if the bodies were changed during production, or even a copied and modified. We have only one ad to reference and a few photos. If you know more about Arabian dune buggy bodies. Email us or post it here!

Autocraft manufactured several different buggy models. The most unique one was called the SideWinder. It had a very long and extended looking front nose and fenders. Modeled after the Corvette front slope the dune buggy still had classic features that were just abnormally exaggerated. I am told the these really are sleeker and more stylish in person. Built and designed for low handling in an autocross situation just as the other models Autocraft desighned.

Baja GT... (See The Dune Buggy Handbook for a full description)

The Bandido is one of the coolest dune buggy model ever built in my opinion. It was built for a full legnth chassis with two chromed tube roll bars intergrated into the body desighn. The windshield frame is supported inside the roll bar tubing on the front dash. The roll bar is also large chrome tube. The side are ultra low for easy step in height. The Bandido used early 6V style VW healight buckets mounted cross eyed into the front nose. This buggy would have been the ultimate "Family Sander" in my opinion.

The Bandit fiberglass dune buggy kit was a classic style buggy with a pointed nose. The tail was a larger version of the manx style box. The dash fiberglass color matched reverse molded unit. These were sold by Montgomery Wards through the catalog.

The Bandito is often confused or mislabeld the Bandido. The Bandito was stylish built one piece shell style buggy without a seperate hood. It is similar to the Bushwacker buggy. Built in New Smyrna Beach Florida. They are often confused with a Kyote because of similarities in design.

The Baron was built by the designers of the Bradley GT. They took a different approach to top design and made the only Manx style hardtop I know of that had gull wing doors. The kit was kind of plain beyond that and the tail looked like a Brute.

Barris Buggy...

Barris T buggy was one of the first Model T dune buggy bodies. Berry Plastics had made a Model T two seater called the Mini T but, the Barris buggy was a regular front and rear seat model. Barris built and designed Hollywood show cars and the flashy Barris T buggy took the cover of HotRod and other magazines by storm.

Made by B-C Fiberglass, the BCBee has a nose that resembles a VW Thing, but the front has more slope. The front fenders are rounded and back is flat with a slight curve to it.

There were only 5 Beaujangle Can Am made in the UK, although they were first made in the U.S and called a "Humbug".

A complete one includes the roof , gull wing doors , and hybrid chassis with de-cambered rear suspension.

The Beettle also known as the Tall Timber Buggy by Beettle Auto Haus of Washington State was one of the 70's biggest NW manufactured buggy kits. Very much Manx like with a modified hood design that had a sunken box in it and a raised plate area wrapping around from the tail to the rear area. The nose is flattened and very distinctive.

Bermoco HTV Buggy advertises a thick body made to last. They used Polylite 98-381 and a heavy layer of woven matting. Six struts triangulate the body rim and make it rigid. Box gussets make the front fenders rollproof. The dash is molded into the hood.

Berry Fiberglass was one of the first to make a T style buggy. The at the time were making fiberglass parts for Model T hot rod enthusists. They decided to built that style into a buggy body kit. Many makers copied the mini T style. A two seater with a pickup look box covering the engine. A C cab model was also available. The curved dash and windshield mounting area are only found on the original Berry buggies.

Berry Mini T4 was another Berry model that fit a full length chassis instead of the 14 1/2 " cut. It was a true T buggy four seater and was introduced by Hot VW magazine in April 1970.

Bertram Fiberglass...Made a copy of the popular Lido kit and advertisied it in 2000.

The Beverly Hills buggy has a pair of diamond shaped scoops on the hood with flat fenders. It was manufactured by Wind an Sea from Costa Mesa, CA.

We don't have any good pictures except the Ad for this one. All we know is it is a classic style.

Boomer Buggy...

Boon Docker...

Boonie Buggy mad by Fibe-Ron Manufacturing. Designed for either a regular shortened pan or Corvair use.

Boss Bug was made by Perfect Plastcis of PA. Manx style buggy with bubble side pods and fastback hardtop. In metalflake or solid. Complete kits were available. Was advertisied from 68-93.

The Boss GT looks like a typical kit car. We just have an ad to work off of.

Bounty Hunter was one of very few "original" designs of the time. The Deserter GT was made as authorized copy of the Bounty Hunter by Brian Dries. It is built on a 4" longer chassis than the Bounty Hunter. See Deserter GT for more info.

Bugetta...

The Buggy Masters Buggy is a classic style buggy with low cut sides. Buggy Masters Buggy was distributed by Buggy Masters Industries out of Gardenia Ca.

BugStuff Boss Bug...

Burro...

Bush Buggy by Virgil's Buggy Center

Bushmaster out of Texas made several different models. The most known feature for them was the flat front hood that was often used to place stock VW headlight buckets into the nose. Some like our example here had a cut away area for the light to show through. It was really up to the owner. The tail section has a small raised box for the rear plate. The rear under seat area is flat with no wells. Sides were lower than a Manx and came in 3 cut lengths. The under fender supports are very unique and look to be the sturdiest I have ever seen. This example has yet to be cut for a gas tank even. The tail lights were cut for '62-67 lens but, I don't have documentation on if this was factory molded in or owner cut out.

Options included gull wing doors, a hard top, a pick-up bed and a road racer hood just to mention a few.

Bushwacker SS...

The Califonia Clipper is a classic style body. It was built by JC Fiberglass in California. They were one of the production facilities for the EMPI Imp kits. The body has two raised sections on the hood to facilitate the installation of later wipers. It also has a badge location in the center of these that carried the company logo sticker. The tail was a flip up spoiler design. This is the Id Trait thats separates this body from a very similar SandWinder body. The SandWinder had a standard style Manx Tail.

From Genom, "I keep on seeing threads on ID that speak of the Desert Fox and California Clipper (sometimes a Sandwinder II according to one article) where people claim the tail section is the same, which cannot be further from the truth. The California Clipper has a smooth transition from the rear fender into the nicely sculpted raised tail section, whereas the Desert Fox is very abrupt and not smooth in the least. Thank you from the former owner of a Sandwinder II/California Clipper."

Cayman...

Citation...

Claimjumper...

Clamdigger...

Fiberfab Clodhopper...

Concept One was a very unique model designed to be a more modern buggy.

Corsair...

Croix Toy has a beetle nose with a dune buggy tail.

Cyclone...

The Deserter GS is a Series 1 Deserter with the GS chassis under it to convert the buggy to a mid engine layout. The back seat of a series one could be cut out and replaced with an engine cover to go over the mid-engine chassis.

Other than the chassis and rear seat change, the GS is identical to the Deserter Series-1.

The Deserter GT/GS is the same as a GT but with the mid-engine GS option where the back seat would normally go.

The GT-GS is identical to the GT. All GT bodies have a "cut-line" around the back seat area where they can be cut to add the GS option.

Mike's red GT-GS pictured below has been highly customized with a flip up engine cover and tilt hood.

Deserter GT...

Deserter...

This buggy has "Dolphin Industries" molded into the fiberglass.

Dolphin Industries "Mod T". Dolphin Industries out of Florida.

Body is that of a roadster. Two seater. Engine lid for access to the engine. hood incorporates a vertical grille area with a smooth hood. The grille area is not straight. The grille has a slight taper from the center back slightly to the furthest edges of the sides.

Classic Manx body style. Front fenders resemble flat mud flaps from the front of the buggy. The rear fender is unique in that it has a step. The hood has a ridge that starts as a point and widens to a fairly uniform width as it continues to the windshield. The tail is a single box.

In 2011, Dune Engines LLC started to produce the Dune Imp using the original 1970 molds to produce new Imp bodies, hoods, and side pods. The hood has a built in tachometer location and new smooth black dash area. The hood and dash are molded as one piece instead of being fiberglassed together after production. The body has a pair of rear seats molded in. The fenders are classic clam shell shape.

Dune Runner Mini-Mercedes...

The Dune Runner Pickup specifies the body design - It could have been fitted with a number of different hoods. It is most seen with the Mercedees hood.

Dune Runner Shelbiette...

Dune Runner TBird was the original Dune Runner was first built and called the Road Runner. It had the T bird hood. Warner brother sued them for the use of the name Road Runner.

The El Lobo was manufactured by Woodford of La Crescenta, CA. According to "The Dune Buggy Phenomenon Book 2" (page 250) by James Hale, "it was available in small numbers to special order". It's design started as the Lido and later the influence can be seen in the Le Tigre and the FF buggy in England. A similar design is the Enos "500".

Unique to the El Lobo is the "front mud flap" that appears on the side of the lower side of the body just behind the front wheel.

The 68-69 EMPI Imp has a bump on the hood below the scoop. The rear seat has a battery box and front to back trough. A plate is mounted below the rear seat above the shift coupler on numbed Imps. Under the hood is an EMPI logo.

The EMPI Imp 1970 model differs from the 68/69 in a number of ways. A tachometer pod is molded into the dash. In place of the battery box, rear seats are now molded in and extend up a bit beyond the normal tail of the buggy. The front license plate area has EMPI molded into it and goes almost straight down instead of diving under the front beam.

Side pods, a hard top and engine cover where available for it.

Empi Sportster...

Escapade...

Experience 3 bolts to a Corvair frame.

Fargo... A Dune Buggy INC product out of Englewood, Co. It was debuted to the public at a car show near Thanksgiving the year it was developed.

FF Buggy is nicely described in the "Dune Buggy Handbook" on pages 48 and 49.

See pages 52-53 of the Dune Buggy Handbook for a complete description of the Fiber Jet Cobra.

Fiber Jet Indy Enos 500 takes its design from the Lido, but has rounded fenders and an abruptly truncated front hood.

Fiber Jet MiniT...

For the Fiber Jet Rough Terrain, see The Dune Buggy Handbook pages 56-57 for details. Thanks to James Hale for the body image of the Rough Terrain.

...

Fiber Trend Buggy...

Fibercraft Brute...

Vagabond and the Clodhopper were produced by Fiberfab Division of Velocidad Inc. of Santa Clara, CA. The example Vagabond below has had the hood cut to allow easy access and is not typical of a Vagabond hood. The sides very low, flat and wide. It is also known as the Vagabond Sportster. The only opening is a rear lid over the engine cover. It sits on a full length VW pan. The gas tank sat in a metal cradle under the hood.

Fun Products Stutz. Thanks to Bart for the ID on this one. The fun products made both the MIGI STUTZ and the MAXI STUTZ, presumably based on wheelbase. This resembles the lines of a STUTZ during the 1928 production year. The body lines are appear to be derived from the 1928 Stutz Model BB (Blackhawk Boat tail). This is a one piece design with a separate engine lid that hinges up to allow minimal access the the engine. If anyone has the literature by Fun Products, please let us know. There is supposed to be a history on how this model came to be.

FunHugger...

GetAway...

Glitterbug...

The Gold Bug is from the Austrian buggy shop “LEDL Tuning” It looks like a Berry Mini T, but little different.

GP Light Delivery Vehicle or LDV

Grasshopper (See The Dune Buggy Handbook for a full description) was manufactured by Kellison.

GT Buggy...

GTB...

Veep by Hadley Engineering Inc. 1778 Monrovia, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Claiming any 1948-1977 Beetle -or- Karman Ghia could be used to build the Veep in about 40 hours.

Made by Dunbar, the Hawk II had wide fenders and louver hood scoops.

Hill Engineering T Buggy...

Hill Hopper...

Houston Fibre Craft...

The Humbug resembles a Can-Am Group 7 race car. (There is also a "Hummer" knock off called a Humbug that causes confusion)

Manufactured by Hunter Fiberglass Products in Mass, the Sand Tiger has a real scoop built into the hood and a large lid over the engine - with wide drop sides in the tail on either side of the lid.

Invader...

Irwin Manx...

Licensed reproduction of the 1968 Jeffries Mantaray II Kyote. They are in every respect an exact duplicate. Dean allowed them to use his image on the sales brochure. The only difference was they were sold on the East coast. See Mantaray II Kyote

Irwin Wrangler...

The Jackal was designed by a former employee of Deserter. The body was identical on the fender lines. The legnth was designed to be on a full size VW chassis. The bodies were built in NJ where motor vehicle laws were tougher. The nose needed a flat spot for the NJ front plate, the rear needed engine coverage for state DMV laws. The large box covered the engine.

JSC Buggy... shortened and full length have different hoods

JSC Lido...

June Bug...

Kango...

Thanks to David H. Irwin for the following information. He purchased the body, upholstery, windshield, etc. brand new in 1969-70 from KAR and calls it "Midnight Pumpkin".

The "KAR Touring T" was made to accommodate people (plural), the family or "the gang" Made with equal-level front and rear seating, this "touch of antique" offers real comfort. The Touring T is built on a 94" wheelbase.

KAR MFG was in Munson, MA. They manufactured this style and at least eight other fiberglass body styles. Mine was "TOURING T" KAR-T-TUB. The Shorette brothers (Dick and Leroy) started their business in the early 60's and developed the first of a line of popular dune buggies, the Cheetah.

The Touring T is also listed as a KAR-T-TUB in one of the ads.

Kawalski's Fiberglass made an Empi Imp style body with a bigger tail box and the unusual option of having a T hood style box up on the front hood. They were located in Clatskanie Oregon according to dune buggy guru Pilot Ricky.

Kellison Sandpiper Pickup is a pickup and is a one piece body. It has two hood ridges and a 2 seater pickup rear. Some are labeled with Kellison in circle molded into the tailgate area of the bed. No seperate parts.

Kellison Sandpiper Roadster looks like a manx...single hood ridge manx tail classic body.

Kellison Sandpiper SP1

Kellison Sandpiper XP1 looks like a bug hood on a Lido body. Seperate hood and dash. Clamshell fenders like an Imp on the front.

Kyote 1...

Kyote II...

Langseth Fibercraft...

LeapFrog...

In our research the Balboa Lido is the genetic orrgin of this style. Lido ads began early in 68 way before any of the similar bodies. The problem we have identifying this body is that I cannot find an original Lido to make a base id.

Limited Edition Californian...

Lincoln T Buggy...

The Linton Spoiler has a scoop on the hood, flat fenders and a flip up tail. It was made by Linton Corporation of Sidney, Montana.

Lollette...

Machette...

Magnum GT...

Mangosta...

Manta Ray...

Manta Ray Mk II...

Mantaray II Kyote...

Marauder was an authorized copy of the Deserter.

The Martin Enterprises buggy has a very smooth tail, a "Martin Enterprises" badge mounted to the hood in the middle of a very sharp ridge. The front fenders have a spot molded in for the front turn signals.

Max was Corvair powered and sold by Chevy dealers.

The Bremen Motorsports of Indian better known for the Ciatation dune buggy body also made the full legnth Maxi Taxi. The most noteable difference between other T models is the size of this kit. This might be the largest buggy kit made. In person these are huge. Some were built with doors, others we have found with logo stickers intact had no doors. The high carriage style top is also unique. The tail looks like a "Lincoln Continental" kit with a place for the rear tire to mounted on the engine lid.

Meyers Manx...

Manx-Vair Designed for the Corvair motor, this Manx was available with two different chassis variants. The first variant is the Manx-Vair CC. This was the more economical of the kits designed to use both the rear drivetrain from the Corvair as well as the front suspension cross member from the Corvair. The other variant was the Manx-Vair CV. The CV made use of the Corvair running gear at the rear, but used the front beam from the VW.

Both of these chassis required a specific body that looked similar to the Manx, but allowed the Corvair's coil springs to fit under the fenders. This body was also special in that there was a flat horizontal stiffener for rigidity that the body needed to mate against. This was just under the rear seat. Instead of the fiberglass coming to the traditional high peak that is found on every VW pan, this body rose from both sides, but was flat across to meet the chassis.

Lifeguard Manx...

The Meyers Manx Monocoque buggies were the first and original fiberglass dune buggy bodies to built. Owner of #7 the seventh buggy built has fully restored his to as close to the orginal specs and look as possible.

Meyers Manx SR...

Meyers Manxter...

Meyers Manxter Dual Sport

Meyers Resorter...

Meyers Towd...

Meyers Towdster...

Minibug was one of the VW authorized kits that were built and sold through VW dealers. It was an experiment I guess with VW like the Max was with Chevy Dealers.

MiniVolks...

Moab Buggy...

Mountaineer...