TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1969 BOUNTY HUNTER DUNE BUGGY,prototype used in movie

Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:46 am

Not mine ad is on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-BOUNTY-HUNTER-...230dc52884

Ad states it "this is the actual prototype of the famous "bounty hunter" dune buggy created for the 1969 movie "the big bounce"

What do you think?? Is it the real deal?? :?:

Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:17 am

You mean this one?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=424841&highlight=bounty+hunter

Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:49 am

Sigh.... Don't fall for marketing hype...... A Bounty Hunter is most likely a Bounty Hunter no matter what the hype.......

Friend of mine also has a Bounty Hunter (in pieces at moment) but can make the same claim as it was the "prototype"...

Only one that has any real claim is ACTUAL CAR used in movie with DOCUMENTATION to prove its identity...

Dale

Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:04 pm

And asking the seller directly will quickly prove or disprove that. I've sent him an email asking for such documentation. Interesting how he's bumped it up another grand for the BIN.

*edit* and the response a couple minutes later:

hi,
fair question. as you know, 40+ years ago, the cinema wasn't particular about documentation on these type of things. i am glad to provide contact info, for the gentleman who purchased the vehicle directly from the movie production company, and whom guarenteed me this information as accurate. there are othe items which clue us in to this vehicle's prototype status (the tail has been redesigned several times, no fender hood lines, slightly different front nose treatment beneath the headlights, etc.). i also have the email from the bounty hunter's original designer. i hope some of this info helps. thanks. tomo 562/714-****

If anyone wants his number, just PM me.

Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:50 pm

Letterman7 wrote: And asking the seller directly will quickly prove or disprove that. I've sent him an email asking for such documentation. Interesting how he's bumped it up another grand for the BIN.

*edit* and the response a couple minutes later:

hi,
fair question. as you know, 40+ years ago, the cinema wasn't particular about documentation on these type of things. i am glad to provide contact info, for the gentleman who purchased the vehicle directly from the movie production company, and whom guarenteed me this information as accurate. there are othe items which clue us in to this vehicle's prototype status (the tail has been redesigned several times, no fender hood lines, slightly different front nose treatment beneath the headlights, etc.). i also have the email from the bounty hunter's original designer. i hope some of this info helps. thanks. tomo 562/714-****

If anyone wants his number, just PM me.

Pass....

Dale

Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:45 pm

Letterman7 wrote: there are othe items which clue us in to this vehicle's prototype status (the tail has been redesigned several times, no fender hood lines, slightly different front nose treatment beneath the headlights, etc.).

Probably a clone :roll:

Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:33 pm

The Bounty Hunter now on E-bay is not the prototype The prototype had 5 inch headlights,no buldge on the hood and at that time there were no side pods made for it yet.And the front end design was different.

Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:15 pm

I CALL SHENANIGANS in the Ebay advert!!!

Mel knows what was built -

This has been a Public-Service Announcement - please return to your buggy build, already in progress...

bnc

Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:22 pm

mekeys wrote: The Bounty Hunter now on E-bay is not the prototype The prototype had 5 inch headlights,no buldge on the hood and at that time there were no side pods made for it yet.And the front end design was different.

Mel, I'm very glad to see you've joined the Samba family and have made a comment on this thread. Since you are the original designer and creator of the Bounty Hunter prototype. I'd say your words above are pretty much gospel.

For everyone else's info, the post above was made by Mel Keys. For anyone who would like to read the story of one of the greatest original buggy designs, below is a link. His original design was copied and sold as the Bounty Hunter, Deserter GT, and as the Marauder. Its also been produced in Germany, France and the UK. BTW he also designed/built the original Starship Enterprise (the one in the Smithsonian now). Pretty damn cool, huh!

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/06/11/ncc-...starships/

Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:54 pm

To Me, Prototype means it predated whatever was actualy used. Its like a testbed that w as used to mock up ideas before the real one.

Thu May 05, 2011 12:19 pm

Here are pictures of a scale model and a picture of the Bounty Hunter prototype. And a picture of the first body made. This was done in 1968, About 3-4 months were spent creating the prototype. Brian and I worked on this togehter. After we made a few bodies he changed the original design and went into business himself. I went on to other pursuits. Notice the original has 5 inch headlights. Brian's version had larger headlights,
and he added a bulge on the hood.

Melvin Keys

Thu May 05, 2011 12:43 pm

P.S. thats me in the buggy with more hair. And a picture of my son when he was four years old. I just had my 81st birthday last December and wanted to post these pictures for posterity before it's too late..

Mel Keys

Thu May 05, 2011 12:59 pm

mekeys wrote: P.S. thats me in the buggy with more hair. And a picture of my son when he was four years old. I just had my 81st birthday last December and wanted to post these pictures for posterity before it's too late..

Mel Keys

Thank you....your design is timeless.

Thu May 05, 2011 1:13 pm

Mel, Wow!, those are some very historic photos. Thanks for posting them

The 5" headlights definitely look best.

Love the design and love that 180hp Corvair Turbo engine!

Thu May 05, 2011 4:48 pm

:D Of course, the million dollar question is: where is it now, Mel?

Thu May 05, 2011 5:00 pm

One of the coolest buggy bodies out there. Great to hear stories from the designer. Hats off to Mel.

Thu May 05, 2011 7:55 pm

Letterman7 wrote: :D Of course, the million dollar question is: where is it now, Mel?

Well, I made a mistake. Brian wanted to break up the partnership and go into business for himself. So we each made a body off of the mold and then we cut up the original mold. I don't have any idea what Brian did with the mold he had. I was going to make changes to the body I had, but the Dune Buggy business tapered off, so I never pursued it after that.

Mel Keys

Thu May 05, 2011 8:11 pm

just to post a few from the US Virgin Islands.

Fri May 06, 2011 5:37 am

Bummer about the mold; do you still have the car, though?

Fri May 06, 2011 8:05 pm

mekeys wrote: Here are pictures of a scale model and a picture of the Bounty Hunter prototype. And a picture of the first body made. This was done in 1968, About 3-4 months were spent creating the prototype. Brian and I worked on this togehter. After we made a few bodies he changed the original design and went into business himself. I went on to other pursuits. Notice the original has 5 inch headlights. Brian's version had larger headlights,
and he added a bulge on the hood.

Melvin Keys

A wonderful design--I take my hat off to you =D>