Dune Buggy – The Sports Utility Vehicle For All Seasons
Dune buggies have certainly gone a long way, from merely just a toy for big boys, to the ride for the young and young at heart. This open air motor chassis recreational vehicle has certainly made its mark. Proof of this is the cult following it has generated all over the world. Even President George W. Bush was photographed smiling inside a buggy. Dune buggy rides are available in theme parks that can be enjoyed safely by the whole family and picturesque sand dunes everywhere have been sprouting up like mushrooms catering to buggy aficionados growing in leaps and bounds.
One thing cool about this brute is that it’s easy to maintain and practically anyone can assemble his own cheap dune buggy. You don’t have to look far, read on how to build your own like the pros. This beauty can be yours at the fraction of its original price; a little labor of love will make you the next proud owner.
There are many manufacturers in the market today offering dune buggy kits that can be brought but many aficionados prefer creating one from scratch. A quick research will lead you to second hand car shops. Volkswagens 1961 and onward model is the preferred car that can be made because of its shape and durability, not to mention its functionality. Many used car yards have these complete with engine, transaxle, wheels and other parts that can still be used, including the front axel and suspension, frame, pedal assembly, shock absorbers, car seats, working battery, fuel tank, steering column, brakes, instruments and switches, windshield wiper, horn and emergency flasher unit part. With these available, you can now start to assemble your very own cheap dune buggies. Buggy associations would gladly offer tips as you go along assembling.
For starters perhaps you might want to consider personalizing that Volkswagen that you just purchased, an instant Baja dune buggy to call your own! Customizing this buggy is easy as one two and three. Just bolt on that fender and hood, with the color of your choice, add a bigger set of tires and wheels, have the suspension raised and install sturdy shock absorbers and you have yourself a nice Baja buggy.
If you are the flamboyant kind who demands a statement while driving on the road, willing to fork in hard earned money for style, then the fiberglass dune buggy convertible is what you’re looking for which will definitely make heads turn in awe. These classic looking buggies come in different styles, shape and colors. Made of glossy fiberglass body, this was conceptualized by Bruce Meyers who started the buggy revolution creating the first patented Meyers Manx back in 1964. This eventually gave birth to the Manx II, Prowler, and Bounty hunter buggy bodies featuring its standard flawless finish, and even thickness all over its body. All of these buggy models include a pair of underbody strengthening tubes laminated into its structure which applies as a housing for the wiring loom covered with a final finish made of special black flow gel applied to the underside to protect the fiber glass to aid easy cleaning without scratch. Prices range from 2,000 to 22,000 US dollars.
Another version that is worth mentioning is the sand buggy found mostly in desert dunes of Dubai, United Emirates to the sandy terrain of California, Idaho, and Utah. Also referred to as Sand Rails, these buggies are much lighter, from 800-1100 pounds, having paddle tires allowing it to skim through the sand without getting stuck, powered by smooth front tires and no front brakes; its roll cage is snugly fitted protecting driver and occupant in the event of a roll down the soft sand.
Made from a tubular space frame chassis with the engine typically found at the rear or mid- engine mounted. New models now feature water cooled engines found in Hondas, Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac’s and Subaru’s both available in automatic and manual transmissions.
Considered to be in the league of competitive sports, sand dune buggies during events can be commonly seen jumping off while skimming through the dunes at 2 – 4 feet in height, with some exceeding up to 10 feet. The use of helmets is required for safety while “duning” as the term is coined while driving through the sand. In case you’re not convinced, organizers and clubs require a whip antenna with a noticeable flag at least 8’ off the areas preventing unwanted collision as vehicles traverse the dunes with changing shapes, minimizing injuries.
So whether is it the Sand rails, Baja buggy or the typical dune buggy that you want? Sit back and relax. The choice is yours. Happy motoring!
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