Dune Buggy Happenings

I just started on this " Sportster " a low side buggy for easy egress, just finished the body work today, while it's getting painted ( still haven't decided on a color) I'll freshen up the entire chassis.

Alan, I’m interesting in seeing a pic of the Coddington wheels.

Coddington wheels

Nice!  

Alan, your shop looks like my place around 1970 or so......

Hard to believe that only seven years later we would be starting a family and building a house.  The buggies were long gone by then and the '46 Hot Rod would be gone by 1980 to focus on the house, work, two kids and a dog or two.  

Time has certainly flown.....

Also, where'd you get those spiffy tail lights on the blue one?

Directionals in the center dot?

Yes inner " dot" is amber LED's for directional signal, outer red is tail and brake ..very bright.

Dune Buggy updates..... The red buggy in the previous post is a "Joe Potty Sportster" made in Virginia  Circa 1965. It is under contract with a guy from Washington state for a full build. This body is going onto a 1974, four wheel disc brake IRS chassis that I have just finished. The buggy is being painted Sapphire blue medium size old school square metallic. Fresh 1641 with a 110 cam 034 heads but will run a single 34PICT carb.

In the wings is a very early but tired Meyers Manx One body with a low number build tag that I chased down in Wisconsin. The value on these restored early Meyer's is way out there ( check BAT past sales ) I could have bought two new fiberglass bodies for what I shelled out for this one but it will have a fantastic return when completed.    The body will go onto the chassis that came with the "Sportster" because that chassis is a 1956 and will be a better marriage with the 1968 Meyers body.

Both buggy engines and transmissions are out being rebuilt.......... If  there is a enough interest I'll start a new thread on the Sportster Buggy build as currently I just did some welding and sprayed bed liner on that bare chassis today.

@Alan Merklin posted:

If  there is a enough interest I'll start a new thread on the Sportster Buggy build as currently I just did some welding and sprayed bed liner on that bare chassis today.

Yes, please.

What he said^^^

Just picked up the Sapphire blue buggy body form my painter and dropped off the Meyers Manx body to him. The blue is beautiful !... ...Now for the assembly ~

This is the kind of post we need now!

Dune buggy progress... 3-1/2 months and it's finished! I "sold it under contract" before the chassis was halfway completed to a guy in Washington state.  The chassis was completely redone with 4 wheel discs etc. Sapphire blue metallic is flawless, ProCar seats etc. The wheels he chose make the buggy pop and the LED whip pole is unique. It's a rare low sided "Sportster" body that makes getting in and out easy .  It's under a car cover awaiting a shipper this week.

Next is the tagged and certified Meyers Manx One that gets a period correct restoration.... These buggy's have been commanding off the wall pricing and should have it completed in May.

What are those wheels?  They look like light-spoked ET Mags or maybe American Mags.

Either way, spot on.

One of the buggies I built I used a pair of truck headlights from a 50's Autocar.  They looked like those on "Saphire Blue" but had small running lights on top - Not chromed, but the body color.  

Stunning buggy there, Mr. Merklin!

Looking great, Alan!

As usual, the doctor performs major surgery, and the patient is like never before.

Well done, Alan!

Nice job, Alan. Another one out of the park!

The low sides are interesting.  I have never seen that before.

Nicely done!

The Doctor clocks another one!

Meyers Manx made just 70  "Resorter" buggies made for, well various Resorts . Then " Joe Potty Inc. " from VA. made 10 or so of this two seater low side versions called the "Sportster". I found it a few towns over from me in VW.

Dune buggy build update:  I've been restoring and updating the Meyers Manx chassis with new floors, suspension brakes etc. Last Monday we drove the four hours to the paint guy Tom in PA. The Sapphire blue metallic paint is beautiful, while I was standing there admiring Tom's beautiful work he installed temp screws to secure the hood to the body to transport it.... that is, until the drill driver slipped and ran a screw straight op through the hood !  ....And do it goes so he is delivering the body hereto  West Virginia this week with pics to follow then.

That Blue Color is incredible! such a great look on a buggy!

@Nine14Nut posted:

That Blue Color is incredible! such a great look on a buggy!

Agree...  the low side buggy I did looked so unique, hand mixed color and flake  ( Sapphire metallic) decided to repeat it. If I can get it done I'll tow  bar it to Carlisle.

Meyers Manx dune buggy update: I am about 30 hours from being done and if that happens I'll tow bar it to Carlisle. Today was a long marathon.... I sanded, painted and clear coated 4 smoothie wheels, reconfigured the steering box angle and column, then did the bed liner on the underside and cabin floors.  I still have to do the final steering column install w/ steering wheel,  shifter, seat tracks, seats & belts, rear brakes and E' cables. Minor things on the new engine before I first fire it Tuesday. Then test, tune and a detail before I post completed photos.

The DR is the Energizer Bunny on steroids!  When does he find time for senior naps?

@WOLFGANG posted:

The DR is the Energizer Bunny on steroids!  When does he find time for senior naps?

I've rarely taken naps but now days, a nap suddenly evolves into 2.5 hours :!)

@Alan Merklin posted:

I've rarely taken naps but now days, a nap suddenly evolves into 2.5 hours :!)

Had my checkup yesterday. The doc said it's ok to nap as much as you like!

Dune buggy update: Early morning start I redesigned the Meters Manx specific steering column horizontal brace that was supposed to be a simple bolt in ..not ! Turns out the Buffoons sent me a UK right hand drive version brace. Finally install after it was in and out four times for cutting, bending, welding and satin black chassis paint.   (Not fun at all wiggling under a buggy dash)  Got the sliding seat tracks reconfigured for the Pro Car bucket seats, the seats and belts are in place.

Almost... counts in horseshoes hand grenades and car builds. ....Dune buggy build update :  All that remains on the To Do list  later tomorrow or  Monday AM is to set the 1/8" toe in, bleed the brakes and fire up the engine to break in the cam. Then a test drive to  rule out any issues  if the creek don't rise" ... it's rained here almost 3" when that finds it's way down off the mountains it can be  interesting.  I'll photos on Monday.

!?!WHAT?!?!?

RAIN just before Carlisle?

I can't believe THAT!

Just LOOK at those blue, sunny skies!

Is it done yet? @Alan Merklin

I don't understand. It's spring. It rains sometimes. Aren't you glad 3" of rain came yesterday and today? Less chance of it happening next weekend.

We got some rain 4 hours away, but it was less than 1".

I have two rubber drain plugs in the bed liner dune buggy floor,:~)

Dune buggy is now 99% done after working on it till 10 o’clock last night we decided after looking at the weather this morning to leave it in the garage so we jumped in the BMW and we just arrived at the hotel for Carlisle

@DannyP posted:

Is it done yet? @Alan Merklin

I don't understand. It's spring. It rains sometimes. Aren't you glad 3" of rain came yesterday and today? Less chance of it happening next weekend.

We got some rain 4 hours away, but it was less than 1".

First cruise in of the season tonight about 30 miles away. Woke up to 1” of new snow. (Gone now)

Unless it really warms up today, I’m taking the 968.

ps: Forecast is 90° on Saturday!

@Alan Merklin posted:

Dune buggy is now 99% done after working on it till 10 o’clock last night we decided after looking at the weather this morning to leave it in the garage so we jumped in the BMW and we just arrived at the hotel

Looks great, Alan!

I thought Lane Anderson was supposed to arrive at events in a BMW, not YOU!

Dune buggy is done a week later than anticipated but, it's a runner !  Went for a short mile ride (no tag) through the neighborhood, no rattles or hiccups of any kind.~............ Feet up with a cold "Jamaican Me Happy" in hand ~

After a couple of Jamaican Me Happy's, I took photos of the dune buggy then the Bendix drive on the new starter decided to hang up on the flywheel....what a racket..I'm  off to NAPA in the AM get another warrantied starter ...and so it goes ~

Meyers Manx dune buggy update, I put 94 test miles on it and did some dialing in. I had listed the Meyers on Oldbug.com for $45k and had a guy that jerked me around for three weeks saying he was a buyer but never managed to remit anything that looked like Cashola. ( I was more than patient) Listed it on eBay where it didn't meet the ridiculous reserve I set for it, ten minutes later I get an eBay message from a guy in Hawaii offers a very good number, wired greenbacks arrived and the deal is done!