I found an Aussie Country Buggy

[krispykreemz]

Over the past weekend (12/10/06) I found a Country Buggy sitting on a neglected car lot. I saw it on a Sunday and so couldn't see it up-close because the lot was closed and surrounded by a chainlink fence. It looked pretty solid and unmolested, painted in black primer.

I wrote down the lot business number and phoned them when I got home-750 miles away. The owner of the lot said he'd been dumbing around with the car for a while, but now wanted to sell it. He said originally he'd been asking $4500 with no bites, but was down to $4000 now (he sounded flexible). He said it was mostly original except for the poorly running motor, which he thought was either a 1200 or 1300. And YES, he did know what the car was and had some idea how rare it was. He knew something of the car's history from a prior owner in Australia who'd imported it.

I know these things are really rare, but is $4000 a fair price for it? I'm sure that little parts are likely common, but if it ain't common it's made of unobtainium. Plus Country Buggies are butt ugly, but that's part of the charm, I guess. I saw the CB on Oldbug.com some time back but have no other value information for these things.

Any help would be appreciated.

[ztnoo]

krispykreemz,
Given the rarity of CB's generally, and in particular their rarity in the US, I would say you have stumbled upon the proverbial needle in the haystack.
The most knowledgeable gentleman about CB's in the world I am aware of is Bill Moore from Australia. He is known as Country Buggy Bill.
He has done more to document the history of this VW model than anyone.
Interesting and informative links authored by Bill:

THE AUSTRALIA COUNTRY BUGGY REGISTER http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/cbreg.htm

The Australian Country Buggy Story http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/cb.htm

I have communicated extensively with Bill, and through consultations with him, we are certain of 10 CB's in the US, meaning Bill has documentation for these vehicles which supports this count. Since there were only 887 made for sale within Oz, and a total production believed to be 1956 (the remainder for export from Oz to places such as New Guinea, New Zealand, Pacific islands, South Africa, Malaysia, and the Philippines). If you do the math, especially compared with other VW's, you can see how very rare these vehicles are. These production numbers are much lower than for even Kubelwagens and Schwimmwagens.
One of the most important things about tracking and verifying these Australian cousins of the Thing/Trekker is knowing the KO number, which was the number assigned to their production by VW of Australia. Knowing or finding out what the KO number is could help Bill and the rest of us who are interested in CB's learn whether this CB you ran across is actually one known to be in the US, or whether this is an undocumented CB no one had knowledge of being imported into the US.

Engines were a 1300 as standard equipment with a 1200 option.
"Engines were all "F" series and were identical to the Beetle with the following exceptions:

- Air cleaner set up was from the Transporter
- Oil pressure sender unit was mounted in the top of the case and not on the side as with Beetle motors.( all engine cases were pressed at the Clayton factory.
- Dual muffler system with twin exhaust pipes emerging through two holes in the rear body panel. Ground clearance of the exhaust pipes was exceptional at 600 mm. This also prevented any mud or grass buildup or water entry to the exhaust system.

All the electricals were 6 volt with standard Beetle gearbox and housing."
* http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/cb.htm

The Oldbug CB restoration which Randy Carlson did a few year ago sold in the $10,000-$12,000 range. It showed up about a year after his sale here on Samba by a seller in Lake Havasu, AZ. I don't know if it sold or not, but it was listed for $20,000 in the Samba ad.
As to whether it is worth $4,000, I would say most definitely yes. As I recall, Bill Moore sold one of the CB's he owned in Oz for what amounted to the upper end of the scale of the Carlson/Oldbug sale, within the last year.
If you can actually find a decent one for sale in Australia (very difficult), you can't ignore what shipping and importation fees would attach to the sale price. I estimate shipping one to the midwest where I live would run at least $2,000.

I also know of one for sale here in the US. Since you didn't comment as to the location of the CB you found, we may or may not be talking about the same vehicle. It would be very interesting to know.
If you desire, PM me and we can discuss what we each know. I would be most interested in communications with you on this topic.
ztnoo

[krispykreemz]

Hey ztnoo,

Thanks for getting back to me about the CB...

I'm tossing the delemma around, as I'm just getting ready to start a '62 ragtop project and don't have room for another car-the boss goes ballistic if I bring it up. I probably wouldn't keep it anyway, and I don't like the idea of scooping it up just to try to turn it over for a profit, which isn't my style.

If someone was interested in it and wanted to get a screaming deal on it, this might be a great opportunity.

[ztnoo]

krispykreemz,
So where is the one you are talking about located?
ztnoo

[krispykreemz]

Hey ztnoo,

It's on a car lot in Memphis, Tn. called Memphis Motors, on Getwell Road about 2 minutes from the Memphis Airport. The phone number I have for the business is (901)743-1410. If anyone can make a deal on this one and get back up to roadworthy shape, all the better! I hope someone gives it a good home.

[ztnoo]

Thanks. This is the same one I know about. I kinda figured it was the same one, but with these rare birds, one never really knows without asking.
Small world, eh?

[krispykreemz]

Amen, brother. It is at that.

[KGCoupe]

I'm rather surprised that no one has jumped on that one yet - of course, maybe they aren't talking so as not to tip their hand.

C'mon guys - how many other AC VW models can you park in the driveway next to your Thing that actually make it look more attractive?

[volksartist]

My first and only country buggy experience was in 2000 while on vacation
in Panama. I found a little jeep like vehicle I assumed was a kit car due to
its aftermarket vw exhaust showing below. Little did I know It was a rare
VW. I pieced it together later when I was home and wished I had spoke to the owner. I went online and found the resort it sat beside and read
a bio on the owner of the resort who was Australian! I guess it was a perfect tropical cruiser to bring with him. Nice lifestyle. I am jealouse,
living in Canada.


Kevin

[Oldbug.com]

I remember calling the guy on the car you found about a year or two ago...Its been there for a while. Somehow I recall it being brown, but I think we are dealing with the same beast.

The CB is a rare beast to be sure but one of it's problems is that it is so rare nobody really knows anything about them. I did my best while I had mine to educate folks and such and the magazine article helped but it is still a bit of a mystery to 90% of the VW people out there...and that makes it a bit hard to sell.

I imported mine from Australia and gave it the full resto and in the end I dont think I made one thin dime on it. It didnt bother me too much as it was a fun project but I think buying the one you found for $4000 and then doing a restoration of a reasonable level, you too would end up being in it pretty thick. Dont look at it as a money maker and you will be alright...just make damn sure it's complete and get ready to hemmorage a bunch of cash on anything it's missing. My car was very complete but some parts were super expensive as I had to bring them in from OZ or make them...the mufflers are being reproduced but I think with postage they cost me over $500 and then re-creating the soft top wasnt cheap either.

I never found out what it sold for when the lady in AZ sold it...I always wondered if she got her price.

Cool car though...you will be the only one at the next show with one, and that's worth something. They are pretty fun to drive too but the top speed is a little lacking...not a freeway car. If I had endless space and money I would have kept mine.
_________________
Cheers!
Randy Carlson
http://www.oldbug.com
951-795-1175

[KGCoupe]

[Oldbug.com]

[cubist]

Any pics of this one around? I'd like to get this over to UK if possible...

[iowegian]

A friend of mine has a Country Buggy.
Kinda strange looking, but it makes a fine stable-mate to his fleet of Things.

[ztnoo]

iowegian,

[volma1]

I have a country buggy in good shape and just had a new soft top replaced for Aus1k. Shame i did not know of the one in Lake Havasu as I would have liked to see it when I went thru last April 06. I live in Tasmania Australia. Can email pic to someone if they would like to post it,
Cheers Greg[/GVideo][/url]

[volma1]

Try this pic
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/volma1/60kombiPetes61008s1.jpg
or this one in my back yard,
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/volma1/PICT1308s.jpg
Cheers Greg

[volma1]

Or this one.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/volma1/60kombiPetes61007.jpg

[volma1]

Finally in case too many pics are too much.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/volma1/60kombiPetes61011.jpg

[Ian Epperson]

Volma1, put the image link between [ img ] and [ /img ] tags: