How are the buggies constructed?
Please see the video in the library on How your buggy is made.
We construct our buggies in the following manner
We construct our buggies in the following manner
- Thick clear coat.
- 3 to 4 coats of flake depending on coverage
- 1 solid colour backup coat
- 2 thick solid gel colour coats
- 2 x 450gsm fibreglass all over.
- 3 x 450gsm round the edges.
- Additionally we add CORMAT (a composite cloth) in places to increase structural strength
- The main shell is flow coated underneath, providing a smooth finish on the underside
- Wet and dry sanded
- Polished to a gloss finish
What are the typical lead times?
Typically we can turn around a new shell in 3 to 4 weeks. But lead-time will be confirmed at receipt of deposit.
Where do I pickup my new buggy?
You can collect your new buggy from our manufacturing centre, approx 10 miles north west of Cambridge, 5 miles from the A14.
How do you recommend transporting?
We would recommend transporting in a van or covered trailer, all of our buggies (including the long wheelbase) will fit inside a Luton box van.
It is worth bringing blankets or additional packing to stop panels running together if you need to pack them closely, also ratchet straps to prevent the components moving around.
It is worth bringing blankets or additional packing to stop panels running together if you need to pack them closely, also ratchet straps to prevent the components moving around.
What comes with the buggy kits?
The kits are for the fibreglass components only. Please check our links page for suppliers of other components like windscreens, exhausts, etc.
We find that many buggy owners like to customise their buggy their own style and individual choices, so like to find parts from a multitude sources.
We find that many buggy owners like to customise their buggy their own style and individual choices, so like to find parts from a multitude sources.
What windscreens fit?
All of our buggies take a 42" wide "Manx" style screen. The screen should be mounted with the groove on the inside of the FF and the outside on all the other models.
If going for the long wheelbase FF with a hardtop roof then the 16" high screen is the one to go for.
If going for the long wheelbase FF with a hardtop roof then the 16" high screen is the one to go for.
What else will I need to build my buggy?
Starting with a donor beetle will provide you with everything you need for a rolling chassis with engine, steering, brakes, gauges and wipers.
On top of this you need to consider:
On top of this you need to consider:
- Headlights
- Front indicators
- Tail lights
- Wheels
- Roll hoop or cage. Although there are buggies not running these.
- Windscreen
- Buggy style exhaust
- Fuel tank or modifying the existing one
- Fuel filler
- Steering wheel
- Seats. Whether you are sticking with the original Beetle ones, fitting some from another vehicle or after market seats. Other vehicle seats or after market, you also need to consider seat mounts.
- Seat belts. Again Beetle original or aftermarket. If going for harnesses, a high secure mounting point for the top of the harnesses to avoid any crush force.
- Wiring. Whether to modify/use your original loom, purchase a new after market or make your own.
How long to they take to build?
This all depends on the complexity of the build, how many hours a week you can dedicate to the build and if you have everything thing you need upfront.
If you have a good chassis, with everything you need and can dedicate the hours, with a people to help you when needed then you should easily be able to build your buggy in a month.
In 2011, the Southern Dune Buggy Club built a buggy in 2 days. You can read about it here.
If you have a good chassis, with everything you need and can dedicate the hours, with a people to help you when needed then you should easily be able to build your buggy in a month.
In 2011, the Southern Dune Buggy Club built a buggy in 2 days. You can read about it here.
What level of mechanical knowledge do I need?
Beach buggies can be very simple cars and as such only basic mechanical knowledge is required to build one. Drills, hole saws, spanners and screwdrivers are really all it takes.
The air cooled VW engine is one of the simplest designs and maintenance knowledge can easily be picked up.
Maintaining your engine and brakes, if not something you are comfortable with can be done by any mechanic and there are VW specialists all over the country. A well maintained air cooled VW really is trouble free motoring, and should anything go wrong with a small spares kit and a roadside assistance card you can get up and running.
Some of the best tips and tricks on the internet can be found at http://www.vw-resource.com
The air cooled VW engine is one of the simplest designs and maintenance knowledge can easily be picked up.
Maintaining your engine and brakes, if not something you are comfortable with can be done by any mechanic and there are VW specialists all over the country. A well maintained air cooled VW really is trouble free motoring, and should anything go wrong with a small spares kit and a roadside assistance card you can get up and running.
Some of the best tips and tricks on the internet can be found at http://www.vw-resource.com
Do they come prebuilt or do you offer a build service?
We sell the buggies in kit form only, however we have teamed up with build partners please see Turnkey Buggies for details.
Can I buy one to match the colour of my ... ?
Simple answer is YES.
If going solid colour then you can have and of the RAL or BS colours.
We have a number of metal flake colours to match or compliment whatever you want too.
If going solid colour then you can have and of the RAL or BS colours.
We have a number of metal flake colours to match or compliment whatever you want too.
What if I need help and where can I see a buggy in the flesh
The UK has an active beach buggy scene, the best thing to do is join the http://www.beachbuggy.info forum, there is help and support from the buggy community and a member's map to see who is local to you.
What is an IVA?
An IVA is a Individual Vehicle Approval.
More details can be found here: www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/individual-vehicle-approval
A guide to the scheme can be found here.
The inspection manual can be found here.
More details can be found here: www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/individual-vehicle-approval
A guide to the scheme can be found here.
The inspection manual can be found here.
Why is an IVA not required for Long Wheelbase buggies?
The IVA is not required for a Long Wheelbase buggy as the change is classified as a rebody (or rebuilt vehicle) rather than a "Kit-Converted Vehicle" or "Radically Altered vehicle".
A LWB buggy can easily be converted back to a beetle by placing the original body back on.
There is an article in the April 2015 Complete Kit Car Issue 99
You will be required to complete a form V627/1 Built up vehicle report
*Short Wheelbase buggies have a modified Chassis so will require an IVA
- Chassis is unmodified
- Suspension (front and rear) is original
- Axels (front and rear) are original
- Tranmission is original (in fact the transaxle is the transmission and rear axle)
- Steering assembly is original maintaining the original steering box, track rods, etc.
- Engine is original.
A LWB buggy can easily be converted back to a beetle by placing the original body back on.
There is an article in the April 2015 Complete Kit Car Issue 99
You will be required to complete a form V627/1 Built up vehicle report
*Short Wheelbase buggies have a modified Chassis so will require an IVA
Tell me about your flakes
We use 400 micron flake (0.4mm diameter)
Standard Flakes
Our Standard Flakes come from the Ibbotson Flake range. (excluding the yellow flakes)
We have 3 different types of flakes. in our standard range.
Standard Flakes
Our Standard Flakes come from the Ibbotson Flake range. (excluding the yellow flakes)
We have 3 different types of flakes. in our standard range.
- Straight/Rainbow - single colour flake
- Holographic - 80% single colour flake with 20% colour changing silver holographic flake mixed in. Under bright light conditions the colour changing flake pops.
- Chameleon - 100% coloured holographic colour changing flake. This flake give the ultimate pop.
Premium Flakes
We can offer the Meadowbrook Flake range at an additional cost. If you are interested in any of these flake colours please contact us to confirm price (£150 extra as at March 2023)
We can offer the Meadowbrook Flake range at an additional cost. If you are interested in any of these flake colours please contact us to confirm price (£150 extra as at March 2023)
Prestige Flakes
Due to the cost and exclusivity the Ibbotson yellow flakes are in our top price range.
Joining these are the Flake King range of flakes. If you are interested in any of these flake colours please contact us to confirm price (£150 extra as at March 2023)
Due to the cost and exclusivity the Ibbotson yellow flakes are in our top price range.
Joining these are the Flake King range of flakes. If you are interested in any of these flake colours please contact us to confirm price (£150 extra as at March 2023)
What DONOR Vehicle can I use
Buggies are build on classic Beetles either the early Kind and Link pin setups which are pre 1967, or the ball joint ones, which are post 1967.
The Beam on the Ball Joint is slightly wider, sometimes the King and Link pin require a bit of fettling to the shell to install them, this depends on which shell you go for.
Ideally you want a beam that has not been narrowed, replacement beams can be sourced.
You do not really want to go for the 1302 or 1303 beetles as these use a MacPherson strut front suspension where the upper suspension mounts are part of the body. These do come with an Independent rear suspension however and people have been know to swap the frame head so that a ball joint beam can be fitted. Realistically this would be a chassis modification and should result in an IVA test.
The Beam on the Ball Joint is slightly wider, sometimes the King and Link pin require a bit of fettling to the shell to install them, this depends on which shell you go for.
Ideally you want a beam that has not been narrowed, replacement beams can be sourced.
You do not really want to go for the 1302 or 1303 beetles as these use a MacPherson strut front suspension where the upper suspension mounts are part of the body. These do come with an Independent rear suspension however and people have been know to swap the frame head so that a ball joint beam can be fitted. Realistically this would be a chassis modification and should result in an IVA test.