Vehicle Description
Known as "Smurple," this 1962 Volkswagen dune buggy utilizes a
Desert Fox buggy body built on a shortened 1962 VW bug chassis. The
buggy was built with a high level of detail and has approximately
1,500 miles on it since completion. The chassis is a 1962
swing-axle Beetle pan that has had the stock floors replaced with
custom flat pan halves. The frame horns and engine support were
reinforced for added strength under torque. The front beam is stock
but has had the leaves softened for a better ride since the front
of a buggy is lighter. There are front disc brakes for safety and
175/55R15 tires. In the rear is a stock 4-speed manual swing-axle
transmission with a Kennedy Stage 1 clutch mated to a 1904cc
4-cylinder engine, sporting an 8-dowl crank, dual Weber 40 IDF
carburetors and a Bugpack ceramic exhaust. It also features an
alternator with a serpentine belt kit, SCAT valve covers, full flow
spin-on oil filter and clean chrome tins. The rear end has stock
drum brakes and 235/60R15 tires. All four corners sport KYB gas
shocks. The underside of the body and the chassis have been
Raptor-lined for durability. Freehand pinstriping was added by
well-known artist John Ybarra. The sliding adjustable front seats
are from a Fiero GT and have been re-covered in custom gray and
Charcoal vinyl with dark piping matched to Vetter-style side panels
and Deist 4-point seat belts. Under the dash and throughout the
buggy is a custom-built detailed wiring harness and fuse block. The
dash is laid out nicely with AutoMeter gauges to monitor all the
engine details like temps, pressure and fuel. A tach for RPMs has
been added to the Silver Metallic powder-coated roll cage. In the
same powder coat is the rear engine cage, complete with hidden
license plate lighting. On the dash are switches for the lights,
warning lights and a horn button.
