Hi everyone,

I finally got a dune buggy two weeks ago!  I've wanted one my whole life.  As a little girl, my mom would buy my brothers muscle car hot wheels and matchbox cars and I always requested dune buggies.  Anyway, I found it in Mentor, Ohio and it's no suprise that it's a 1973 Martin Enterprise (I think, emblem missing) that looks like a Clodhopper since they built in Cleveland back then.  It still has the original gold/orange metalflake paint, a 1600cc (already redone) and some neat wheels though I prefer old Cragars.  Beautiful comfy cozy brand new seats are on their way from Cali. Currently the original hard seats are bolted to the floor and I can't reach the pedals, so I haven't driven it yet.  Those seats are horrible.  My boyfriend takes me out in it and it sure does get the looks.  I'm trying to post pictures.

Cogratulations, have fun !!!

                      Daytona Ken .................

Good looking buggy.

Two gas tanks?

The previous owner said that he disconnected the original tank in favor of the silver one that he said looked cool.  It does Unfortunately it's not connected to the gas gauge.  I wonder if the original tank had some problems.  He did build a real nice black carpeted box for storage by that silver tank.  How did you get those pictures in the regular word boxes?  Thanks.  Still learning.

I forgot to mention that this buggy was once owned by a Shriner who toted it around the country for the parades.  Then it sat in his garage for 10 years before the guy I bought it from purchased it two years ago and fixed it up.  I'll be searching for a Martin Enterprises emblem for the front end, if anyone has one.

I am sure that either the tank or the fuel line leaked and instead of fixing it right he went with that spun tank which, as you indicated, has no fuel gauge.

Unfortunately they also make the buggy handle alot worse. They can also cause quite the stink if you are not careful filling it up.

My boyfriend kind of wondered that and we will have the original tank and fuel line checked out in the future.  I would be a little surprised because the previous owner seemed pretty thorough and had two or three other classic cars (Chevelles and Impalas) that he had restored in the garage when we picked up the buggy. For now the new seats arrived and will go in soon.  I like the look of the silver tank and for now am just looking forward to driving it and having fun.  Thanks for the info.

My boyfriend told me that the previous owner said that the regular tank functions just fine and that he just liked the look of the silver tank.  I just cruise it on the street and it rides great!  Just had the new seats put in.  I'm very happy with the results.  There's nothing like a buggy ride.  Love it!

Anyone have a Martin Enterprises emblem for the front end?  Can't find one.  Thanks!

Very Nice...I like the tail lights.  Haven't seen those before!!!  The orange is cool.  I like the old fashioned flake on these.  I too have always wanted a buggy since I was a kid.  My Manx is apple red and has the big metal flake gel coat as well.  Very original as I remember them as a kid!!  I will be posting the project real soon!!

Steve

Steve,
Those are 62-67 Frenched in tail lights.  I think we sold you the same ones for your buggy.  Just he has them molded into the fiberglass body.  Some bodies came with the tail lights molded in.  Alot of people modified when painting to install there tail lights.

Maybe in 20 years when you pull yours out for the new paint job you can french in yours

Thanks.  Can't wait to see pictures of yours.  My finish is faded in some places but I too love the old school gel coat.  Did you have yours buffed out?  I'm thinking of doing that and then clear coated.  I've read a lot about it on this site but was curious as to what you did.

I actually have 67 Mustang lights for mine.  I saw a buggy with those and loved that look.  Mine are also the sequencing kind when you turn on the blinker.  Got them from Mustang Project and they are a Scott Drake product.

Buffy my buggy is a new build so no buffing required.  I bought a new body from Bruce Meyers and the chassis and the engine and tranny from the VWstore.

That's great Steve!  I'm kind of a vintage freak.   If only my buggy could talk.  The history of the scratches caused by all of the people who got in and out of it would be so interesting.  Where it's been and everything.  The trips it's taken.  I love that.  Someday it may get a new paint job, but for now, I like it just the way it is.   May get it professionally buffed out next year just to improve the shine.  As for the tail lights.  Look forward to seeing the Mustang's.  Mine don't turn off automatically so, I'm constantly leaving it on.  I'll get used to it.

There is certainly a lot to be said for the history of these cars!!

I have a Martin buggy and I also live in Mentor Ohio. My Martin was owned by my father before me and I believe he purchased from Martin Enterprises in Cleveland in the seventies. I will upload a pic as soon as I can, having an issue in doing so.

LOVIN' KRUISIN' IN A DUNEBUGGY..............................

I am looking at a Martin Dune Buggy. Do you still have yours?