Hello all, I am new here. I recently sold my 77 vette. And I am thinking of purchasing a Dune Buggy. (always wanted one) I know my way around VW's. I restored a 67 Beetle, and rebuilt it's motor. So what should I look for in a buggy? Any particular areas of interest? Body styles? Anything you can shed some light on would be helpful. There are a couple for sale near me, but the prices range form $4999. to $15000. I only want to spend around 4-5 MAX. Thanks.

I have a Allison daytona its very think body , I love it. I would look for the rear to give you room to work on the engine. I see buggys where I like the front end but not the back ect sometime its a trade off. Look at the wireing to see if it was done neat. Theres a black buggy with a tan top on Craigslist in Valdosta Ga. He want 6k for it. I like both ends of it and the dash area. My mechanic lives there and he said that it was one of his customers. Also consider if you want a full pan buggy or a short one. My buugy has been cut at the back for a access to the engine man does it help.

I would probably be all over that, if it was closer to home. Sounds great with both tops and a tow bar. Damn!

Thanks..

A

Hell get it shipped Dont know where your at but it cost at least 650, talk the guy down some to off set shipping, it looks to be a well planed out buggy.

Im in S.Fla.

go get it ,its just a long ride take someone with you to share the driving, I drove 478 miles one way to get mine with the family. Did stay over night and picked it the next morning. But as luck would have it there was a softball tournament in town and the motel price was jacked up oh well.

I agree with Vince, go get it. I drove from south of Dayton, Ohio almost to Chicago to pick up just my chassis/engine for my Scorpion project. I almost had regrets when I saw it in person but glad I did it. It made for one long day, but was worth it in the end.

I was thinking of maybe making it a father and son trip. Figure it's 6 hr's to get out of Fla, and another 2 in Georgia. Stay one night, and come back. IF he'll take less for it. My only problem that bugs me is I'm 6'1". Im afraid I may not fit in it. The looks of the seat position, also the "wood" on the sides where your arms rest,?

I am assuming this is the buggy in question.
http://valdosta.craigslist.org/cto/4922175119.html

Yes, but he is firm on the price. It will run me $650 for a truck n trailer rental for 24 hr to 2days. The internet says 375 miles 6 hr's. If he was negotiable I most likely would have done it. But 6k plus $650 and food and maybe lodge. I think it's to much for this one.

yes that is the one, its just over the ga line, its about 44 miles from my town, could you borrow a friends truck? I put my buggy on a 6.5   x   12 ft utility trailer that had a fold down ramp. Did u call him? maybe the seats slide back further. The father and son trip sound nice. Yea I want to get it for about 5500, let him sit on it awhile then see what he'll do. My mechanic said that he put disc brakes on it. over all I think its a good looking buggy. I know I checked uhaul when I was looking at my buggy it was 138 one way which was a good ways. Or maybe you could go to a place that sales utility trailers and see if they would let you rent one they might be cheaper than uhaul never know.

Wish I did. I have an 05 blazer with a tow package. But I'm unsure if it will make an 800 mile round trip. Also I don't thing towing a buggy behind for 400 miles is good for the buggy too. I checked haul n budget. I also checked into shipping. Shipping will run just $50-$100 cheaper then going myself. Not a real big savings there. You in Ga,? Or Fl,? If I was 44 miles away I would probably go see it and try to haggle face to face with him. Oh well - if it's meant to be, it will happen. LOL.

get a beetle tow bar for 30 50 bucks at any vw air cooled supplier, I flat tow my bugs and buggies all the time and for thirty years.

It comes with one. But I'm afraid 400 miles is too much for it.

If I remember right I spent 268.oo in fuel round trip and that was when fuel was higher. Yea its close enough to drive and haggle over price I bet offer 5k cash he'd take Im a firm believer a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Keep us posted on your hunt.  I dont think 400 is to much for a flat tow, but I do want to get my wheel bearing repacked before I tow that far. By the looks of that buggy its in good shape. I would be a little worried if it hadnt been driven that much, Im going to get my bearings done when I get the front end redone while the mechanic is right there.

If I can get it for five, i'll do it. I will keep everyone posted when and if I find one. Thanks to all.

Dave, my wife and I along with 3 little boys drove 2,500 miles one way to get ours in kit form. That was in the summer of 1968. I'm still driving it today. Lovin' every miles. (47 yrs.)

WOW! If I really was in love with it, I'd probably do it. There is another I'm interested in in my state. It's on the "SAMBA" site under classifieds, its in sebring Fla, and is Blue. Do you guys mind checking it out, and tell me what you think? I believe this could be a winner for me. I'd only have to change out the rear lights, add a top, and wipers. Thanks.....

I saw it, it been up for sale for awhile it had over 3000 views, not a fan of the fuel tank in the rear seating area. Me and buddy went to Daytona to look at one, one time and the pic looked ok but when we saw it in person it looked to have been painted with a brush. We were already in that area to see a Manx towed but that was a no go to. For that money Id keep looking.

Ok thanks. I was going to relocate that too. It does have four wheel disc's, not sure of the frame.

Well Vince, you were right. I thought it had disk brakes. It did not. Plus it was still a generator. Thats a big no for me.  Oh well my search goes on.

I always say don't SETTLE take your time and get what you want , I wish you could have gotten this Blue Allison that was on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago it was in Middleburg Fl, he was asking 6200. It looked clean and ready to go it came with a tow bar. He said that a guy was coming from Daytona to get it so I guess it sold the ad came down.

My list of gotta have's (not must have's) are pretty high I guess for a buggy. I like blue metallic color, wipers in case I get stuck in rain, a topp, just for some shade on my ever balding head.LOL, wide tires in the back, I like the 60's impala rear lights, front disc brakes, and clean all around. Thats what I'd like to find. BUT ?? Who knows. Buy the way does anyone know just how many buggys are out there? I don't see them hardly at all. My C-3 vette, I'd see one about once every month or so, but never a buggy.

Ive read alot the front disc brakes are over rated since the buggy is so lite mine only weighs 1500 lb. But if you find one with them already on there thats a plus I guess. I read that if you switch the wheel cylinders front to back it will stop even better since most of the weight is in the back end. Yea I like those tail lights to. Keep combing the internet and you'll find what your looking for. My wipers work but slow I just keep the glass clean with rain x window cleaner so it will bead up only been  caught once in the rain not fun. Hopefully thats the first and last time HA HA did get rain on when bringing it back form SC but the top was up it didnt get to soaked on the inside.

Good to know about the brakes. Aren't the cylinders the same for front n back? I thought there is a valve that separates the distribution to the brakes front n back. Front 70% back 30%. But now you have me thinking. Since the buggys are so light, it may be benificial to have that reversed.!

Stock Bugs didn't use proportioning valves, they used different size wheel cylinders (and different shoe widths prior to 1968.) For those using 4 lug (1968 and newer) brakes it is fairly common to install either 4 front wheel cylinder or 4 rear wheel cylinders to set the brakes up 50/50.

Thank you for that info.!

How about Rear Disk Brakes? I'm going to look at a bug tomorrow that has rear disc brakes, and the front drum. This buggy is suppose to be a fresh 3 year build. 1600 cc that is three years old, and a upgraded camshaft,heads and disturb. less then 1000 miles ago. Dual carb. Full roll bar, everything new including axles,wires,suspension. Never thought of rear disc, and leaving the front alone.

Rear disc are good, thats where all the weight of the buggy is. It ought to stop on a dime and give you 9 cents change. got any pics of the buggy ? 

You won't believe this!! The add went on craigslist yesterday, I noticed it an hour after posting. He was asking $6500, It was to good to be true, he also had a 65 mustang and a 79 trans am. But wanted to sell the buggy instead of those, he needed the space for his 18 year old daughter who was getting a car. I called and asked to see it last night. He said he was going to a concert. So I made arrangements to see it this morning at 10 am. He lives an hour south of me. I pick up my buddy and head down there. I get into the gated community (he left my name there) then can't find his house. I call him, and he says- OH IM SORRY ITS BEEN SOLD! I said I thought we had an arrangement. He said this guy called him at 10 pm last night and asked to see it before me. I asked him how much he sold it for, he said 6K I said I'll give you $6500. He said I just signed the title, the guy is getting ready to leave now. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?? I knew it was to good to be true. I have pics and the add, but don't know how to post pics....

That sucks! I had a similar story about 5 years back on craigslist. This lady had an original Meyers Manx Top and Tonneau Cover for $95.00. She said it was too late to come and get it, so I told her I wanted it and would be down first thing in the morning (Dayton to Cincinnati). I called her when I left the house and she said a guy from out of state bought it sight unseen the night before and paid her utility via phone in lieu of payment. 

Just found my original post in regards this story......
http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/forum/topic_show.pl?pid=15425;hl=tonneau#pid15425

Yea that sucks, sorry you missed that, it looked like a good buggy, well put together . Maybe theres another one better coming around soon.

My problem now is for everyone that comes, I'll be comparing it to this one for that price. Going to be hard to find. But I have time. Wasn't meant to be I guess.

Seemed like a decent buggy but I wouldn't be too upset. That's a lot of money and I can't believe that there aren't lots of buggies like those around. I assume you are searching The Samba as well?

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/4966216117.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/4929550994.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/4879345608.html

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/4928460586.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/4977758281.html

Yes I've seen them all, 1st one needs interior, and has pvc piping screwed to fiberglass on sides.
                                2nd one needs paint, and a top, the top thats on it is for a camper. Plus brakes.
                                3rd one need to remove ALL the stick on/add on crap, left several messages, never returns
   replies.
                                 4th one needs back lights, interior, mirrors, and tires.
   And all of them the prices are way to high for what they have.  You actually missed the one in Lauderdale, with the VW Bus dash board. LOL.

I think you might need to adjust your expectations. Finding a perfect buggy with perfect everything for your price range is going to be real tough. Not saying that it will be impossible but it could be a several year adventure.

Almost every buggy needs something. The buggies I have rebuilt were perfect and went for close to $10k. Anything in the $4-$5k range is going to need something.

Thats my problem, The one I was going to get had everything and was underpriced. I'll just have to sit on the side lines and wait. Sooner or later another will surface. That fourth one is down to $4750. cash. Says new tires in rear, and has a new lens for the rear light. But tach is broken. Just some info.

Well it looks like I just lost another buggy!! I spotted another one on Craigslist. Add went in April 13th. I called on it. The gentleman told me he was out of town till the end of the month. I waited. I explained my circumstances to him about the other two buggies. I wait. He then tells me he's back in town but can't show me the buggy till Sunday afternoon or later. I said thats fine. NOW I find it on craigslist for a HIGHER AMOUNT OF $$, I'm pretty much done with this.!

Dave, my advice is to put a wanted ad on the samba website with your parameters.  And scan ads there frequently.  People there are usually kind enough to send you leads on fresh Craigslistings as they come up.  That's how I found my tow'd.  
Also, a $50 tow bar and a truck/SUV is all you should need to pull a turn key buggy.  Weighing in under 1400 lbs typically pretty smooth tow.  I've flat towed a buggy from jacksonville to outer banks and back no problems other than getting it really wet.

Thanks, on my way this week to get a tow bar. I have a 05 blazer with tow package. So just waiting. I have been searching this site, samba, ebay, and craigsist. Thank you!

Well I just came back from looking at the "Dune Runner" and I passed. The surprise is out now, the kids know. The body was great, But the brake lights didn't work, rust on the floor pans, headlights, rims, steering wheel, shifter, windshield frame, blinkers, rear lights and motor all had surface rust and pitting. The exhaust was held together with air conditioning  metal tape. It has to much work that I need to put into it now. I'm looking for something cleaner. Plus he raised the price from 5k to 6k and was firm. He was kinda surprised i didn't want to go for a ride and passed. (Since I've been in contact with him since April 13th) I was the first to see it. So I'm still searching. This is the fun part anyways. Just pissed that I missed that first one I was going to get!

I dont know if you want to fool with shipping one but there's a Allison for sale in Kings Mountain NC on Craigslist he wants 5500.00. I called the guy awhile back he sounded like an older gentleman. I know it would be a alittle funny buying with out inspecting in person. Its been list for 26 days. Over all the buggy looks good.

If you do find one like Vince mentioned, perhaps you can find someone local to it to "put" eyes on it for you and take a better look.  It may be an option for you, it would give you a wider area perhaps and save you some time/money in going to look.  Keep in mind, anything that is in the coast area or states that have a lot of rain, may have some of the same issues you just encountered.  Sometimes, you can find a good buggy miles away and shipping of a certain amount may be the best option.  These are my thoughts only. Good luck in your search.

Thank you gentlemen.!!

We'll I did it! I bit the bullet. I spent more then I expected. But I believe I got a very nice buggy. I don't have it yet. May get it within the next 10 days for sure. Don't want to say to much about it, because I don't want to jinx myself. I already lost two a few weeks ago. When I get it I will post pics and tell you everything about it.

Dang it Dave dont leave us like this . Hope it goes well cant wait to see and hear about it.