Few words... Plenty of pics... Estimated completion is June of 2010 (one month late, and a few dollars short)...

... As of Monday, 31MAY10, we've built up the picture-spread to 20 pages.

Look Ma, I can see!...

... Finally added the headlights, taillights and half-way sorted out the steering column (just ordered a split-bearing - so the steering column won't wobble).

Here is the link;

http://s756.photobucket.com/albums/xx207/blueplate84/DeanJeffriesKyoteIIDuneBuggy/

That's fantastic !
I don't think there are but a few of these with the hardtop, I really didn't think I would ever see one actually ! I'm excited to see the finished car
Bart

That is too cool!  I've never seen/heard of one before.  Loving the doors.  I wonder; is it steel, 'glass or a combination?  The dash looks like it's an exact VW replacement, speaker hole and all.  Thanks for the pix & keep them coming!

Sportster

Everything on it is fiberglass, save for the contact plates (where the hinges and strikers meet). Even the side window frames (silver-colored) are fiberglass. The dash originally was manufactured without any holes (as far as I know), and the owners added their own items.

Personally, I'm only planning on only having the center-mounted speedometer - and filling in the rest of the holes. Any other gauges and idiot lights will be installed under the dash (and maybe, in a small center console).

Last week (@ Bug-In 35) I picked up a new exhaust system (Bazooka) and some pieces I was missing. Tomorrow (Saturday) we're picking up a set of dual Kadrons (for way cheap, and all ready to install) and making our way over to SoCal Imports - to pick up a bunch more bits and pieces. I figure that next weekend will be the weekend for mating the body and the pan.

Another week of piecing the wiring together, a major tuneup, and we should be ready for the road (warts and all). I hope to make Dean Jeffries' shop one of my first stops. Thanks for your interest...

... Who knows, I might just be driving this thing back to NY in June.

Uploaded a few more pics tonight (this morning)...

Towed the chassis over to 'Old Speed' - in Paramount, CA... They will attend to a complete tuneup, valve adjustment, head torque, carb adjustment (basically, make sure there won't be any issues). Note; these guys have a solid reputation and have been around a long time. It's time we fired this baby up! If all goes well, the body will finally be mated with the chassis this weekend.

Here's a tip; Plan on getting that gas tank checked/ cleaned out far ahead of firing up the motor. We're a day late and a dollar short... Looks like we'll be visiting a radiator shop this a.m.

Oh, the real fun soon begins; wiring... rewiring... etc. Anybody in my neck of the woods want to join in the fun just let me know.

And the saga continues...

... The call came in tonight (Thursday), regarding the engine work. Ouch... A bit more than I care for - but I know it will be perfect. The guys at the shop are impressed with it (then again, they're getting paid for it). Of course, I did not anticipate having to replace the distributor (since I am mostly clueless) - vacuum advance apparently does not work well with dual carbs (which I really did suspect).

No matter, I'm still way ahead of the game. Tomorrow evening (Friday) we'll pick it up and drag it over to my brother's house... Where we will - finally - mate the body with the chassis! I think we're going to tackle the fuel tank cleaning ourselves. Along with all of that wiring...

... The fun has only just begun.

"Ya, the vacumn advance won't work as there is no vacumn ports on dual carbs"

Well kinda right. It looks like you have Kads. They can be drilled for a vacuum port and its a nice little addition for streetability and to get away from the 009.

AJSimms has a site that outlines it.....at least that he does it, but not exactly how. I am sure some diligent searching might come up with the process.

My Manx used the Kads and a 009 and after some tweaking they ran fine.

Picked it up tonight... Runs like a scalded cat! 'Old Speed' did a fine job. Saturday we begin marrying the chassis and the body.

I read about AJ, and the vacuum advance with dual carbs. Unfortunately, I don't have too much coin, and opted for the easier rout. I hope I do not regret it.

The clock is ticking... 23 days until the 'VW Classic' in Irvine...

Saturday, 22MAY10 (late!!!)... The body and chassis are finally mated!

Notes;

1) It's easy (relatively speaking) to drop a body on the pan - with only four hands...

2) Apparently, fiberglass dune buggy bodies are not made by people who manufacture rifle barrels...

3) There is a lot more to do, even if a buggy looks like you could drive it down the road today...

4) This car absolutely needs big, fat tires on it...

5) Even (cool) cars being towed get a "thumbs-up"...

6) Your better-half is much more impressed if it looks like a complete car...

7) Sunday is a good day for rest (especially when you get older)...

... 20 days left to sort it out.

Enjoy the added pics...

Monday, 31MAY10...

... More pics added.

12 days left to finish it...

NOTE: More pics added to my photobucket album...

Ha! The finish date(s) have come and gone... Long ago. Finally, we're back at it. Probably about 95% complete.

The latest issue is dealing with the gelcoat finish - and trying to save it. No way I can use a machine on the body, so it's all getting done by hand.

Experimented with Compound Polish (& orbital buffer); Oxidation is too thick, and just ends up getting ground into the finish.
1000-Grit paper; Might as well use writing paper.
400-Grit paper; Wet-sanding did make a difference, but there was still plenty of grime stuck in the finish. 200-Grit paper (wet-sanding); Just about right. Finally removing decades of oxidation and grime - but leaving plenty of gelcoat on the body.

Next step; Dry-sand with 200, then dry-sand with 400, then wet-sand with 400, wet-sand with 800, then finally move onto the buffing machines.

We're close... I suppose Labor Day weekend might be too soon. Then again, this is SoCal - and one can find a show/meet pretty much every day of the week... And PCH (& sunsets) will always be there.