First introduced in a fibreglass form by Bruce Meyers in 1964 using the VW Beetle platform, the beach buggy truly is an interesting part of automotive history.
At the height of their popularity, these quirky little vehicles made the perfect recreational vehicle for those looking to explore in the sand.
Today, these buggies are seldom seen outside of desert or beach environments, and never fail to attract the admiration of onlookers wherever they go.
If you’re looking for a hilariously quirky weekend toy to enjoy in the sunshine, very few vehicles will come close to the nostalgia-packed VW Beetle buggy.
This quirky beach buggy began life in 1970 as a standard yellow 1300 Volkswagen Beetle, and would later be fitted with the fibreglass body kit and most of the modifications present today.
Although not a great deal is known regarding the vehicle’s past, it is safe to assume the car has been thoroughly enjoyed over the years, with 13 former keepers noted on the V5C.
The current keeper acquired the vehicle in 2018 as a light project, and an occasional weekend toy.
Although not a great deal of miles have been covered since, the vehicle has been made roadworthy, and fitted with a roll bar, DAB radio and LED lights all around.
Now, the current keeper looks toward a new project and has decided to let this characterful VW find its next home, where it will no doubt provide endless fun.
In keeping with the rather minimal nature of the vehicle, the included paperwork is rather brief, consisting of the V5C document, previous MOT certificates and a small collection of invoices.
These invoices detail a buggy wiring loom, a condenser, spark plugs, ignition leads, fitting services for seat belts & the roll bar, and more.
It is safe to say if you’re looking for a plush interior packed with all the modern gizmos of a luxury saloon, you’re possibly in the wrong place.
The interior of this buggy is strictly business, kept rather minimal for both practicality and styling purposes.
That being said, there are quite a few interesting goodies on show, such as a set of reclining “Dub Style” sports seats.
Finished in white leather, these seats certainly suit the vehicle and offer plenty of much-needed support through the corners or when you’re heading off-road in the sand.
The seats are in great condition, although the driver’s seat does show some discolouration and loose material towards the harness holes.
The rear bench also presents itself rather well, with only a few pictured minor defects to note.
Behind the rear bench is where you’ll find the vehicle’s battery, and electrics, along with a small amount of additional storage space.
In addition to the on-theme seats, there’s also a pioneer head unit, EMPI gear shifter and a tasty 3-spoke steering wheel to enjoy.
The current keeper also had an aftermarket roll bar fitted, for an extra touch of safety should a dune catch you off guard…
Forever an iconic design, the beach buggy never fails to stand out against modern traffic and turns heads wherever it goes.
In addition to showing off a classic fibreglass shape, this example also boasts LED lights, LED indicators and a few tasteful details, such as black badging and carbon fibre effect stripes.
The vehicle has clearly been well cared for over the years and has spent the majority of its time with the current keeper tucked away in the garage.
As a result, the paintwork and finish have been rather well preserved, and show only a few minor defects.
In addition to the odd chip here and there, there are also areas where the painted finish is beginning to show minor cracks as pictured.
This is quite often the case with painted fibreglass finishes as time passes and hardly detracts from the overall aesthetic.
Contrasting the white paintwork, are a set of black 15” steel wheels with shiny hub cabs all around.
Both the wheels and caps are in excellent condition, although the wheels could benefit from a little touch-up if desired. In true beach buggy fashion, the wheels are wrapped in a chunky set of General Grabber tyres, with plenty of tread left to enjoy, on or off the road.
Like the majority of beach buggy builds, this vehicle utilizes the tried and tested Volkswagen Beetle platform as its base.
Ever the king of versatility, the Beetle remains the go-to option thanks to its rear-engined layout, reliability, and endless potential for spares & aftermarket support.
Rather specifically, this buggy is powered by the trusty flat-four from the 1300 Beetle, and now shows off ceramic rocker covers, and a new pair of carbon-fibre detailed backboxes.
Although no odometer is present, the engine is believed to have covered less than 2500 miles, having covered only 1258 miles at the time of its 2018 MOT.
Thanks to regular oil changes and the current keeper’s attention to detail, buyers will be pleased to know that the vehicle fires up right away and happily performs without fault.
Although the original 1300 Beetle may not have been regarded as the quickest thing on the roads, this buggy has more than enough power to party in its current form.
It also emits a rather loud, yet grin-inducing exhaust note, courtesy of its two new exhausts.
The VW beach buggy is an incredibly iconic platform that never fails to turn heads, and will gladly offer endless fun both on and off the road.
This particular example is in great condition, boasts excellent mechanical health and requires nothing to be enjoyed by the next lucky keeper.
With plenty more sunshine on the way, what better way to catch some rays than in your new beach buggy?
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1970 Volkswagen Beach Buggy
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