$201X Challenge... Dune buggy?

Neighbor has a Kellison Sandpiper XP1 body for sale for $100. It has me thinking, is a $100 dune buggy body a good starting point for a challenge build? If so, I'm sure I would want to hit up the samba for advice.

It looks like this, similar condition

Dune buggies are the only good kits for VW pans! Do it!!

Just in case you didn't know, a dune buggy would go in the "Special" class:

Da Rule said: 4.Only production-based passenger cars are allowed in the regular competition. All locosts, race cars, kit cars, Zambonis and the like are allowed only in the Special class (See Rule No. 27). 28.A Special class for locosts/race cars/kit cars/etc. will be run for exhibition only. It will be scored independently from the rest of the competitors. The Special-class competitors will only be eligible for the Special-class trophies, unless one of them explodes spectacularly. Then we may reconsider. Special-class cars must also meet the classification requirements for a recognized autocross class (for example: SCCA’s A Modified). These cars must meet all Challenge budget rules and safety regulations with the following exceptions: a) The cars do not have to be roadworthy. Headlights, windshields and horns are not required. b) Non-DOT approved racing slicks are allowed.

Bryce

I'm used to being "special" and if it gets magazine coverage...

I have no idea if that's a good price or not, but I strongly encourage you to build a low, fast dune buggy. I'll go as far as to say that they are the only use of a VW pan that I find at all interesting.

"Power-to-weight" keeps repeating in my head.

That would be badass with a proper racecar suspension underneath...

I've been wanting to do a dune buggy with locost/midlana type chassis.

No money, no time, no space.

It appears that your neighbor is probably about four hours and seven minutes away from me, so I'd say, yeah, you should go ahead and buy it.

neon4891 wrote: I'm used to being "special" and if it gets magazine coverage...

It would get magazine coverage. I know a guy.

Fastest thing I've ever been in was a dune buggy (not challenge priced). Look carefully into the trans options that's where the money is.

Bump.

Still looking at it. But the question remains, can it be built at a Challenge price?

neon4891 wrote: Bump. Still looking at it. But the question remains, can it be built at a Challenge price?

All depends on your goals, intended outcome, scrounging skills, fab skills etc.

I know I could build it for a challenge price :) I would ditch the idea of a VW pan entirely and build a square tube chassis under it (easy enough to do, designs for them are everywhere since most guys eventually go this route) If you want to stay simple toss in a VW front beam with a disk brake conversion or a Ghia front beam would be even better (possibly cheaper) since it came with disks...that would be my plan since I have a Ghia beam sitting here.

VW transaxle in the back (cheap easy to source) with a Subie 2.2 strapped to it. That engine/trans combo got the wartburg into the low 15s in the drags and should easily get you in the 14s maybe lower in a car that light. If you want faster then find a 2.0T but that could get into the budget unfriendly bit.

Eng to trans adapter is the biggest expense in what I listed and if you scrounge you might find one cheaper. Rotary adapters can usually be picked up cheap for another potent engine source.

Depending on the adapter cost I could easily do the plan outlined above for under $2013 and with proper scrounging I could get it in the under $1k class ;)

I can't tell if thats a challenge or an offer.

In reply to JThw8:

Thanks!!

Now off to CL . . .

PHeller wrote: I can't tell if thats a challenge or an offer.

Neither....my card is full for a bit :) But if you've played with VWs long enough you accumulate cheap parts and sources for cheap parts :)

Actually if someone decides to try it I'll offer what I can in the way of cheap parts and sources :)

Who says you have to use VW anything for it? I'd pull the engine/trans from a geo metro/pontiac firefly, hang a magic snail off the back of it, apply boost until 10% after conversing with jesus, then locost the rest of the chassis. The rear suspension could come from an EF honda (either adapt the front suspension, or use trailing arms from one of the RT4WD models) and the front end, look at how '60s sports racers did it and locost it, possibly Mustang II/Pinto or maybe Chevette uprights, and use circle track stuff for the control arms? Other than possibly engine height, I can't think of a single reason that wouldn't produce a far superior overall vehicle when compared to a VW-based dune buggy

Can I just say that "apply boost until 10% after conversing with jesus" is my new official candidate for Words To Live By.

I've always wondered what a dune buggy built with Porsche parts would be like... Mmmm... A 997-based autocross buggy. How long until the Challenge budget hits the $20,000 mark?

There's also the option of using a VW transaxle and getting an adapter to use a turbocharged Ford 2.3 for power. There's a large following for Ford 2.3-powered dune buggies and sand rails out in southern California.

You might be able to score such buggy on the cheap to be the donor for your buggy project. Maybe cruising the southern California used stuff ads like the Recycler is in order?

vern2point3 wrote: I've always wondered what a dune buggy built with Porsche parts would be like... Mmmm... A 997-based autocross buggy. How long until the Challenge budget hits the $20,000 mark? There's also the option of using a VW transaxle and getting an adapter to use a turbocharged Ford 2.3 for power. There's a large following for Ford 2.3-powered dune buggies and sand rails out in southern California. You might be able to score such buggy on the cheap to be the donor for your buggy project. Maybe cruising the southern California used stuff ads like the Recycler is in order?

$298.00

Nashco wrote: Just in case you didn't know, a dune buggy would go in the "Special" class:

Da Rule said: 4.Only production-based passenger cars are allowed in the regular competition. All locosts, race cars, kit cars, Zambonis and the like are allowed only in the Special class (See Rule No. 27). 28.A Special class for locosts/race cars/kit cars/etc. will be run for exhibition only. It will be scored independently from the rest of the competitors. The Special-class competitors will only be eligible for the Special-class trophies, unless one of them explodes spectacularly. Then we may reconsider. Special-class cars must also meet the classification requirements for a recognized autocross class (for example: SCCA’s A Modified). These cars must meet all Challenge budget rules and safety regulations with the following exceptions: a) The cars do not have to be roadworthy. Headlights, windshields and horns are not required. b) Non-DOT approved racing slicks are allowed.

Bryce

AutoXR wrote:

Nashco wrote: Just in case you didn't know, a dune buggy would go in the "Special" class:

Da Rule said: 4.Only production-based passenger cars are allowed in the regular competition. All locosts, race cars, kit cars, Zambonis and the like are allowed only in the Special class (See Rule No. 27). 28.A Special class for locosts/race cars/kit cars/etc. will be run for exhibition only. It will be scored independently from the rest of the competitors. The Special-class competitors will only be eligible for the Special-class trophies, unless one of them explodes spectacularly. Then we may reconsider. Special-class cars must also meet the classification requirements for a recognized autocross class (for example: SCCA’s A Modified). These cars must meet all Challenge budget rules and safety regulations with the following exceptions: a) The cars do not have to be roadworthy. Headlights, windshields and horns are not required. b) Non-DOT approved racing slicks are allowed.

Bryce

A good case could be made that the pan , transmission, suspension pickup points and other are all VW. Its no different then hacking up a street car... I like the idea of the exhibition class, but if it's a factory built chassis why not let it run?

13b

locost middy tube frame, add cheap fwd drivetrain - maybe a northstar, or supercharged gm, cut holes in body until it fits. How hard could it be?

oldtin wrote: locost middy tube frame, add cheap fwd drivetrain - maybe a northstar, or supercharged gm, cut holes in body until it fits. How hard could it be?

Famous last words