Can i hear some stories about how the police treats legal dune buggies on the road?

Brian C.

I ran out of gas one day in my buggy.  a cop pulled up behind me, I told him a buddy was on his way with gas. He asked for reg. and insurance card.  I handed him my registration and started to dig out my insurance card.  before I could get it out, he said nevermind.  he told me to have a good day a pulled away.   I`ve never been pulled over in my buggy.  the cops don`t even give it a second glance.

I just drove by two cops standing on someone's front lawn. (domestic dispute maybe?) In any case, they both craned their necks around in dis-belief. I just smiled and gave them both a wave.

I haven't had any trouble in the buggy. Actually, I've gotten away with more than I would have on a modern car.

My tires stick out further than 1" on the fender (Illegal) I ran around with NO FRONT BUMPER all last summer (3,000 miles worth) and my wipers did not work (Previously registered in this state, so I didn't have to go through the special build inspections at the time or registration)

I've corrected all these things for this season, but its funny now that I think of it, cops seem to be into the car for what it is rather than as a target for tickets.

Jay

While driving with traffic, same speed as the truck in front of me and car behind me on a two lane road I was pulled out from between them and given a speeding ticket.  I feel like I got it because I was in the buggy.

For the most part cops are car guys. They will not bug you unless you are being stupid or they get a complaint from someone about laud pipes. Some my pull you over just for looks. Here is a great story and it is true. Last spring we where doing a photo shoot of a buggy I just finished for a customer. We where in Manhattan. Time Square to be precise. Some cops noticed what we where doing and took it upon there self's to shut down half of it so we could get some really great shots. Then we proceeded to the South Street Sea Port, We could not get a parking spot so the officer there let us park it on the promenade for the shoot. Next we went to Brooklyn. There is an over look that puts Manhattan in the background. We spent over an hour there. We where parked on the pedestrian side for better shots. As we where wrapping up a squad car pulls up an I knew we where in trouble. Well, The first thing out of the officers mouth was, " I had one of those." They went for a ride and loved it. It was an awesome day and the cops made it that much better.

Almost had some serious problems with the Buggy in Lesotho a few years ago.  Got stopped in a road block (manned by the Royal Lesotho Mountain Police and heavily armed Lesotho Defence Force Members).  They inspected the Buggy for roadworthiness, and failed it only because I had only one emergency triangle, instead of the (claimed) required two.

Had to give the chief in charge my binoculars as a 'gift' to prevent them from confiscating my Buggy...

Yip, thats AFRICA!!!

I was pulled over last Summer in the Chicago area on my way home from a car show. I was driving on a busy street with a friend in a Bradley GT behind me. The cop pulled in between us to pull me over. He was very easy going but still wrote me a warning ticket for not having a rear bumper. He could have easily giving a dozen speeding and illegal lane change tickets to the cars in the area, but decided to harass me.

I'm surprised there isn't more talk on this topic...

-M

I'm glad,  it makes me feel better.  but I live in Rhode Island.  Who knows around here.  I might have to move, the state might not want me enjoying myself.

Ok, I was running around town one day and stopped at the local lowes. When i came out there was a sherriffs car parked inback of the buggy blocking my exit. " Sir i would like to talk to you about your exhaust" ( manx sidewinder) " i like the sound of it. Were did you get it and how much? I'm building my own buggy"

Now thats a great story. When I got to the part about you being blocked in, I thought the story was going to take a bad turn. I think for the most part, police have better things to do than hassle car enthusiasts.

Jay

I have only been "hassled" once in the 10 years of driving my buggy around.  I went to a cruise night and the headlight switch died, so no working headlights to drive home with.  I called Kathleen (this was before she had her buggy) to come with the tow bar.   2 local cops started looking at the car and asking questions.  Because it was registered in 1998, it is called a 1998 composite vehicle.  When they heard 1998, they started asking questions about side markers and other new car stuff that was missing.  They never heard of a composite vehicle in CT.  I carry the composite rules with me and that explained why all the stuff that was missing was OK.  They did comment on me using the exhaust for a back bumper, but let me go.  There is more illegal stuff than that, but it is not all obvious.  I saved all the stuff that made it legal on the day I registered it in case I get stuck with a fix it ticket.  Some times you just have to be nice and educate them and hope for the best.  Pictures of the car are here: http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/Toms-Fiber-Fab  Tom

Tom, This is good info. I too have a CT composite (1970). I think I'll print out the info and carry it with the buggy. On an off topic, but somewhat related thought, I got pulled over on my bike because the headlight was "flashing". I carry the federal CFR that explains the difference between flashing and alternating (between high and low beam) and that it is legal on a bike. I can see the Composite info coming in handy.

Jay

I am in law and for the most part as was stated earlier...the cops won't hassle "classics' unless the driver is being stupid. Most are cars collectors themselves from the ones I have met. The biggest thing is, the attitude you give is the one you get back". Stinger exaust or any exaust is usually no problem if you don't "lean on it". i am workin on my buggy and won't register it as a composite.. It will be as a 77 super beatle which the previous owner had it as. Just my opinion on the police issue.

Here where I live you just have to be careful around lunch time or coffee time. Be ready to give the policia 20 peso's and keep them happy. Now if you really want to have fun, the law is, if you can beat them home they cant bother you and they love a good race. Being they drive Ford pickup's with V6's there not too hard to beat.. once in awhile you got to let them catch you.