Anyone have a guess as to the manufacturer?

KerryD

I got this included with a house we bought out of an estate. I'm told that the H4 engine code means 68-71' 1497cc but I haven't found H4 in any of the guides.

I checked dunebuggiearchives.com to see if I could narrow down the body manufacturer but I didn't have any success.

Any input will be much appreciated.

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BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:33 pm Post subject:

Looks like an early tail Sears Rascal. They were a clone of the first generation Manx 1, with the emblem bump on the nose removed and a single rib on the hood. I think they also had a flat back seat.

http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/registry/rascal

Q-Dog · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject:

It looks like the driver was very tall!

After 40 years the engine code is useless for indentifying what you have. It's a dual port engine now, so not likely 1500cc any more.

Look for a VIN on the central tunnel of the chassis, in the back ahead of the shift coupler access panel. That will at least give you are year for the chassis.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

Hecubus · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:40 pm Post subject:

It is a great looking start. I have an early rascal (I think) and it has the battery well that is open on the front other then that it looks very similar. I wish my house came with a buggy like that.

VWCOOL · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject:

Hey that's cool!

truckdude · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:21 pm Post subject:

Q-Dog · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:25 am Post subject:

Just took another look. It looks like AH on the engine.

Still, the engine could be a rebuild.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

Dale M. · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:55 am Post subject:

Probably is a "AH" as it has proper 6 digits before VW symbol and the A after the VW symbol is not standard...

IF it is a "AH" its a 73-74 1600cc with 8 mm head studs and case savers...

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 ...

glassbuggy · Samba Member Joined: June 02, 2005 Posts: 897

is that scoop on the hood added on or molded into the design? I need a pic of the dash to help with the id. Look on the underside of the hood for any Lincoln stickers or such. This could very well be a Sandpiper

KerryD · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject:

KerryD · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:08 am Post subject:

glassbuggy · Samba Member Joined: June 02, 2005 Posts: 897

This is certainly an odd duck. I belive it to be a copy of a Sandpiper. Someone modded the hood to circumvent any patent with a simple scoop detail. Also the back seat was made to be flat like the later buggy designs ( to be able to use IRS suspensions ) keep looking for id in the backside of the fiberglass , maybe you will get lucky, but I think this body had a low production count. In that case it may have been a local fiberglass place to you.

truckdude · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:47 pm Post subject:

Windshield mounting and angle along with that riveted dash sort of indicate a later mod to accommodate that C-cab like top. C-cabs were a popular trend in the early to mid 70's.

Dale M. · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:05 am Post subject:

IF it were mine, I would drop windshield down to proper position... Tease dash back into proper place (rivets while not the best are ok) ....Remove the little bits of white striping (is it vinyl?) and drive it like you stole for rest of summer.... This winter when its not buggy weather do any major work that is required.... Simple plate to cover dash area can make a lot of difference to how it looks.... Its not that bad, just needs a little TLC is all...

This is how I treated screwed up dash, my only mistake was it is highly polished aluminum (mirror finish), it is to hard to maintain... Power coat with pleasing color (silver or gray) would have been better)...

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 ...

BIGMIKEY · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:45 pm Post subject:

Drop those seats down 8" or 10" too. And lean that windshield back a bit. ( I never understood stock seats in a buggy. Probably because I am 6' 5" tall)

Good looking buggy though.

Mike T
_________________
BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

Dale M. · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:42 pm Post subject:


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