TheSamba.com :: View topic - What the HECK is this thing

Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:01 pm

ok I got a call from a guy who needed help selling some vw stuff that he has. In this barn he had this thing that looks to be made from a early buss. Has anyone seen one of these? If so whats the worth on it.

Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:31 pm

it 's a kit car from the 70's that uses a vw bus for the kit i forget the name of it but there are several pics of them in the abortion tread

Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:34 pm

Brubaker Box. It was profiled in a HotVWs article a couple of years ago.
Here is link to some pics from the Gallery-
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_keywords=brubaker
I have heard that they are real kick offroad. Very light.

Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:41 pm

Its a Boonie Bug. Popular mechanics sold the plans in the 70s.

Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:23 pm

x2 on boonie bug...not a brubaker box

Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:21 pm

Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:57 pm

MrPolak wrote:

Why? Why? Why? Oh the humanity...
There were some sick puppies in the 70's

Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:29 pm

The value is dependent on the build quality, and how close it is to being finished. These were built on shortened Splitbus chassis (so if the moderator is reading, it does belong in this forum), and all but the prototype Boonie Bug are made from scratch from a set of 8.5x11 inch plans, so the build quality varies wildly and finished examples are rare. This one definitely doesn't look finished or done to a high level of workmanship, so unless it's the prototype or happens to be built on a Barndoor chassis, the value is anywhere from a few hundred dollars to about $5000.00 tops for one that runs. Probably not worth the time and effort to dig it out unless you really like Boonie Bugs, but see if it has a VIN or Mcode plate and run them by us to see if it was built out of a rare Splitbus, also see what it has in the way of an engine.

Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:45 pm

Absolutely its a boonie bug! Don't listen to Tracy- dig it out! Granted, they're a kit- but how many are there? It may be loaded with special bus parts.

A close friend who passed away gave me the whole packet on this rig- cause he really wanted to build one back in the day. I've got the original plans, materials lists; congratulations and welcome letter, and the PM magazine that made it all happen. I'd own that thing if it were wthin 200 miles of me (well maybe 180).

Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:57 am

Thanks for the input this is going to help.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:10 am

It's a Boonie Bug deluxe judging by the horn push ! Probably cut up a nice 23 to make that. :roll:

Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:14 am

hitest wrote: Absolutely its a boonie bug! Don't listen to Tracy- dig it out! Granted, they're a kit- but how many are there? It may be loaded with special bus parts.

A close friend who passed away gave me the whole packet on this rig- cause he really wanted to build one back in the day. I've got the original plans, materials lists; congratulations and welcome letter, and the PM magazine that made it all happen. I'd own that thing if it were wthin 200 miles of me (well maybe 180).

Same here - I'd consider buying it if it was within towing distance. But of course since your profile is a little nebulous on your location.......

Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:29 am

saw one at local show.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:45 am

Ha ha, love it!!!
If only it was in the uk is be right on it!!!

Mon Mar 04, 2013 12:03 pm

It's definitely the Boonie Bug. Old enough that I remember it. I think it was not a kit car but was made from single sheets of foam insulation. . .I think it was foam for refrigerators, walk-in boxes that was then cut, taped together and then fiberglassed. And since they were built on a bus chassis, it seemed like a whole lot of effort just to go backwards.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:28 pm

What is it? It's FREAKIN AWESOME!!!! That's what it is! I would love to drive that around.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:30 pm

There was one at OCTO last month, looked to be lowered as well but I didn't grab a pic.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:35 pm

snap it up. very few left.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:03 pm

Why is this in the split bus forum?

Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:07 pm

campingbox wrote: Why is this in the split bus forum?

Its a very ultra rare crossover model. :D