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Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:37 pm

Hey guys, as my first post I thought I would show some early pics of my latest project. I bought a Kelmark (still have it) and while building the chassis I found a picture of a VW Country Buggy. That was it, I had to build one! I have some photos of the chassis build but this is one picturing one of the sides in mock up that I cut out this past weekend. After all the body panels are built I'll fiberglass resin them and then reassemble. More pics as I go!

David

Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:00 pm

This is going to be interesting.

Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:42 pm

tinnocker wrote: This is going to be interesting.

im going 2 watch this one 8)

Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:07 am

Sounds like an interesting project. The VW Country Buggy was built in Australia in 1968 as a farm vehicle.

I've created a collection of Country Buggy pics in the Gallery here...

http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/Country-Buggies

Country Buggies had extra ground clearance like the "Things" thanks to reduction box rear end, and raised spindles similar to Split Kombi.

It looks like you're planning to build a lowered one. He's a couple that have been done before.

Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:11 am

ive never seen one of those,now i want one

Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:22 am

I saw one while I was in the Philippines many years ago. Really cool look car. This should be an interesting project.

--louis

Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:50 am

The picture of the Evil Ben built car was my inspiration. However, I plan on improving on the original body lines a bit. I have lowered the rockers, shortened the stepover, exaggerated the rake of the hood slightly and a few other mods. Obviously the car will be about 5 inches wider than a stocker as well to house the big wheels.

Mine will have a full length top with approximately 12" of overall height. The color is late VW Cyber Green with off white accents.

David

Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:11 pm

I thought this was a crazy new use for plywood; but this looks very cool. Kinda like a giant go-cart (like all buggies)javascript:emoticon(':wink:')

Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:57 pm

Build it like a boat hull with 1/4" birch plywood & fiberglass it, then drop it over a VW pan -

Congratulations - you've a VW Woody. Or a VW Splinter...

bnc

Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:05 am

purple terd wrote: ive never seen one of those,now i want one

Less than 2000 Country Buggies were produced, with only 887 sold in Australia, with the rest sent as CKD to Philipines

I have KO 669

Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:43 am

I can't tell, is that on a shortened chassis? Kind of looks like a Mutant Thing. :) I think I remember seeing one in the abortions thread that was 'slammed' and only stood about 2 feet tall.

Edit: Found it, not exactly a country buggy but a lot of influence I think, found video too, warning: the sound track adds nothing to the video.

Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:53 pm

Country Buggies were a VW Factory built car in Australia on a full length beetle pan

Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:15 am

Are there any curved panels on a Country Buggy or is everything flat? It seems to me that a set of detailed plans & materials list for how to build one from wood could have some value. Think of all the legwork and time you are saving another prospective builder.

Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:38 am

Looks easier to build than the Empi Sportster.
I have a Skil Saw, but not a sheet metal shear and brake.

Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:46 am

I will have most of the body panels cut and templated this weekend (will post some pics). Giving them or selling them to someone else doesn't really interest me at this point. Keeping the exclusivity....well exclusive!

David

Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:02 pm

You mentioned you were going to "fiberglass resin them and then reassemble".

If you think that it will hold up or even last you will have done all of your work for nothing. You must Fiberglass them, inside and out or will not hold up well. Even then you'll not be happy those results.
You will be happier using your plywod as a Buck or a "Male Mold" and pull your panels off of them, complete with the corner edges turned...

Even constructing it out of foam sheet, such as sign foam, yeah its expensive say $75 or so for a 3/4 sheet, but its rigid, water proof and when glassed on both side it will ultra strong and rigid.

Unless your using marine grade ply and epoxy resin and glass your work won't last as long as you thing. Polyester will seperate from plywood on the weathers heating and cooling cycles and unless you either construct a nice rigid frame work inside or glass both sides equally or else your warpage will be a nightmare.

Theres alot more to making this work then just coating plywood. Above all Glass is were your strength will be.

All that being said I would love to have Country Buggy. I have considered what it would tke to make one as well. I think Constructing one out of Steel would be less work and thats coming from a FG guy.

Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:17 pm

Wasn't KoobelKar doing steel replicas of the Country Buggy at one time?

Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:45 pm

How about making a wood body and then coat it with tongue oil or some other finishing process. What do owners of woody wagons do?

If Evil Ben has "The Slam Box", you can pimp around in "The Pine Box".

Fri Aug 06, 2010 5:57 am

man, cut the fenders too and put some 24's on the thing!!! (no....not really)

Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:05 am

You could finish off both sides of the plywood for a plug for both sides to make fiberglass molds A couple pieces of molding to make the ridges down the sides. Looks good.