I just picked this up yesterday in CT and trailered it all home to Central PA.   Now I'm trying to ID it.  I think it is a early Manx but need some help.  It has a battery tray and a spare tire well and  badge.  there is a ridge down the center of the hood.  it is a classic two piece body.  The windshield is a heavy square like in the Kellison model pictures. I just need some help to ID it.  Please help!

heres the nose badge area and ridge!

heres the battery tray and spare tire well.

heres the back of the buggy

The ridge in the hood (and the shape of the badge) are not that of a Manx. Other than those two features, its a pretty close clone.

Hi Scott - I took a look through our Buggy ID Engine based on the unique badge shape and ridge on the hood.  There are buggies that are close, but not an exact match to this shape of bump on the hood.

Would you mind adding it to the X-File Registry?  We will then assign it an X-File number and add it to the Buggy ID Engine so others with the same buggy can get in touch with you.

Thanks,
Paul...

Could the body and the hood be from two different buggies?  It doesn't look like that but is there any case that there is?  I just know I'm in heaven.  It has always been a childhood dream to own a vw dune buggy with a Porsche engine in it.  I have a 1974 914 Porsche 1.8 that I'm rebuilding to put in this buggy.  I would just love to have a history (info) in all my stuff.  To me this isn't a car. Its a dream come true.  Thanks for any help.

I'll register it in the X-Files.  As soon as I have time.

Thanks, Scott

It is very possible that the hood does not match the body.  I frequently see buggies for sale on eBay and samba without a hood.  A number of the buggies have very similar shaped hoods.  Some manufacturers even made a variety of hoods (classic, T, etc) to go with their buggy bodies.  To get around patents, mfgs may also have splashed (taken a mold of) one body and a completely different hood. Made minor tweaks to both (badge area, tail box, ridge, etc) and started to produce their own body.

Best bet is to leave it as an X-File for now.  The hood is pretty distinctive - it has a tear shaped badge bump, right?  It should only take a couple minutes to add to the registry and you can always edit/add pictures to it later.

I agree- if you love your buggy, who cares who made it.  We here at DBA just like the challenge of trying to match owners with original manufacturers.  Once matched, its fun to add period specific options that may have been on that buggy or other products made by the manufacturer.  In your case, you may add a badge (original or repro) to that front hood bump if we can ID it for you. 

Now about that Porsche 1.8 motor - is it too late to talk you into Subaru power? 

Paul...

The 1.8 Porsche motor should make a nice buggy powerplant - with proper preperation!  You'll have to convert to upright cooling, custom exhaust and have some very good head work done to make it live.
The shop for T4 engine building and information.
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/

another spot for general T4 info:
http://www.tunacan.net/t4/tech

With the right parts and engineering the T4 is a pretty cool looking bit of kit!
This engine would look hot in the back of a buggy:



Jeff

Who says you have to convert to upright?
Have a look here.

Wow-  and I thought a Subaru stuck out the back - that looks awesome!  Too bad John didn't put the back of your buggy on the 2006 DBA Calendar.  How many wheelie bar wheels have you gone through? I like the tow ball - that's a nice touch.  Paul...

That's a beautiful Buggy Dan!  IMO though, the added length of the 914 cooling shroud and fan don't work well with a FGB (but maybe OK in a Manx SR?).  Hangs out the back a bit too much, much like a Corvair.
Your installation though definitely makes the most of that layout!  Maybe I could get used to it....

You can always do a Cali-upright conversion on the T4, much more reasonably priced than the DTM shroud (but more DIY labor and engineering involved).  Unless you really know VW engines, this type conversion is difficult to identify from your standard T1.

Man, with the power levels Jake and crew are now getting out of the T4 - I dare say it may soon eclipse the Suby conversion in $$$ per HP!
Jeff

(From Dan)

Yes the added length takes a bit of getting used to. Many don't like it - many do. Each of my builds have taken at least one first place in local shows. I could just have easily done a conversion but I did it this way for 2 important reasons.
1 is the fact that the engine cost me a case of beer and I did not feel like the time and money spent in doing a cooling sys conversion was justified.
2 You cannot beat the original cooling system for being bulletproof. If I throw a belt I am not dead in the water. All I loose is my alt. All cooling remains.
I did the same type of install in my latest creation. A 74 Beetle 2.0 Porsche EFI.








Later
Dan

Hi Scott - Just wanted to ask again if you could enter your buggy into the X-File Registry.  From that point, I'll move it into its own specific category, assign it an id number and also add it to the Buggy ID process so others with the same body can get in touch with you.

Looking at it again, the emblem area on the hood does look familiar, but I can't place it.  As you start to work on it, check if the gelcoat color of the hood matches the color of the body.  That may be the first clue as to if the hood and body are a match.  Paul...

Sorry for the long time away.  holidays!!!!  I put the car parts into storage until I'm done with the engine rebuild.  I have been all over the body.  I think I have every inch memorized.  The gel coat all matches.  The gel coat lost all luster.  There is alot small fiberglass repair needed.  I'll work on register it.

I do plan to do the T1 upright convertion to the 1.8 914 engine with alot of chrome.

I added my buggy to the registy. 

Hi Scott - I've designated your buggy model as X-0013 and moved your entry under that registry.  It now appears in the Buggy ID engine as well so others with the same model will be able to get in touch with you.

Thank you for registering!  What's the status on the body now?  Have you had a chance to start working on it?

Paul...

I haven't had time to work on the body...  it is in storage right now....  I want to rebuild the engine first.  I will update the status as I go....