Country Buggy Inspired Buggy

skabonner · Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 2:45 am Post subject: Country Buggy Inspired Buggy

So, the other day I had crazy notion. I could have pushed it away, but instead I let it fester, and now i am determined. I have started the long and arduous process of designing, and building a Country buggy... or at least something that looks like it. I figure if try to do a bolt for bolt copy it is going to be much more expensive. Not because of parts or time, but because of the therapist bills when I am driven insane by trying to get everything down to the millimeter.

I am just going to try and get something that I can drive, go off road in, and get some stares at the car shows, plus I have always loved the idea of driving around with no top, no doors, and no windshield. Originally my plans were a manx, which than led to wanting a empi sportster, but when I saw the country buggy I figured that it would be only slightly more difficult to build than a sportster, and better looking. Also I am just the sort of person to go through the hard way to get what he wants.

Continuing on the idea of a non-faithful copy, I do want to add at least one improvement: wider wheel wells, which on a cb means making the whole body wider. I might also make one with a manx pan.

Anyways I don't anticipate this being a project that I will finish in the next year, more likely the next couple. I am a college student and will be doing this on the weekends and I want to go slow so that I get everything nice. I made a couple of images, and I am liking the way they are looking. Anyways feel free to add any input, opinions (try to be nice though), or even ideas. I will try and update my progress as much as possible, though it may be slow going, and fairly boring during the design process.

P.s. Enjoy some drawings, and help me decide on the long wheelbase or short wheelbase:

Long:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Short:

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Wetstuff · Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 4:57 am Post subject:

Jee'z?! .. I always found it easier to walk up the Empire State Building facing forward. Why make it so hard for yourself? I well understand the quest is often more fulfilling than the victory, but in this case, there is a simple example of $1,000 acting like an elevator ride for the first 30 floors. It may also force you to face doing it, than simply plan for it.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1126025

Jim
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Manx #2614

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject:

Down the 57 from you, where it hits I-5 in Santa Ana, is where the dune buggy industry was born. Before the Manx and before the Sportster was the Burro. Between 1960 and 1973, Tiny Thompson built between 1000 and 1100 Burros in his workshop off Santiago Blvd.

They were mostly built from 1" square tube and skinned with flat aluminum.
If you could locate an original to take dimensions, you could build a very authentic one with a simple tube bender and welder, just like Tiny did. There's even a club you could join.

http://burrobuggies.com/

http://www.oldbug.com/burro.htm

This is one of the first Burros

This one is a replica

This is a replica too, but with incredible craftsmanship and skinned in polished stainless.

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gr8cobbler · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:08 am Post subject:

Go for it. Worst case is you spend money you probably don't have at this point in your life and time you will probably never have again.

Sorry, that sounded kind of grim and I really meant to be encouraging.

I just sailed past what I'll consider my mid life marker (I'm ambitious too Smile

) and am in year 5 of a similarly ambitious project. I have decent funds but am really cheap where toys are concerned. What I really lack is quality build time. My build gets done in 15 minute bursts between the wife, the kids, the house, and the job that pays for it all. The reality of spending a whole weekend building just doesn't happen. As John Lennon said " life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"

You have at least a couple of things going for you, the exuberance of youth and time. Keep thinking the whole project through while you start collecting parts. That phase of my build ate up a full two years. It proved to me I was committed (or should be). Talk it through with folks you respect who know you and listen to what they say.

Good luck, could be a lot of fun.
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Gary

Being a cheap old fart is just a front for my actual lack of money. Smile

DWP · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 7:37 am Post subject:

I like the drawings. I think a lot depends on 2 or 4 seats and how you plan to use it.
For frame ideas check here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=457699
if you are going the square tube route loo for ideas here
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/
Good luck and have fun.
DWP

Dale M. · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 7:49 am Post subject:

Come on guys he said a "Country Buggy"....

Do Google 'IMAGE' search for "country buggy"

http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/ws_aug_2000/Wierd_Military02.htm

In later years after production ceased in Austrailia, it was moved to the Philippines and called a "Sakbion" (not sure of spelling)

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 8:41 am Post subject:

skabonner · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

You know, I actually forgot about the burro. And if I add some modifications it will be exactly what I want. Thanks for that, I guess I will put the cb idea on the back burner.

P.s. I restored a '68 beetle my first year of college, I am not too concerned with being able to get it done.
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BL3Manx · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

You could build a Country Buggy shape using a Burro type square tube framework, then after you've made a 3D line drawing framework, skin it with pop-riveted metal panels. That's kind of what Dave Barrett did with his Kubel-Lite, except its built on one of his super slick tube chassis.

You could also use either a VW chassis like a Sportster or an all square tube chassis like the Burro. Lots of options, some easier than others.

skabonner · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:26 pm Post subject:

I think that if later on I decide to do one I am gonna go all out for it. Its not like I would be the first: http://www.flat4.org/galerie/thumbnails.php?album=898&page=1
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BL3Manx · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject:

Looks like that one was built by pros in a fully equipped fabrication shop.

Did you see this thread of the guy who built a schwimmer from a beetle?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389726&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

gr8cobbler · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

That is simply phenominal......I've got some reading to do.... Thanks BL
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Gary

Being a cheap old fart is just a front for my actual lack of money. Smile

skabonner · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

skabonner · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

Also I have to direct your attention to the shotwell: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/extras/articles/jay-remembers-the-three-wheeled-car/

A car built by a 17 year old in the 30s. He wasn't a pro, he didn't even go into an automotive field. I am just saying that its not as out of my reach as some are making it seem.
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langan · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 2:51 pm Post subject:

How did the Country Buggy go? Or did you end up with the Burro? I found the E Bay Empi Sporster plans. If you have any leads on Burro plans or Country Please let me know

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 4:58 pm Post subject:

Dave Barrett has built at least one Burro

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=615691&highlight=barrett+burro

langan · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks I find Dave to be very talented but tried to buy plans for that really nice alum. skinned car he was offering he said no way. He is a good fabricator for them that need him. I am more a DIY
Thank you very much for reply

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:32 pm Post subject:

I believe Dave was selling a knocked down Kubel Lite kit of the bent tube and stamped panels etc., which was then assembled by the builder on a VW chassis

langan · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject:

No kidding? I will try again


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