Carchaeology: Did we just discover the origin of the VW Dune Buggy?

Randy shares the most recent addition to his private collection, a VW based dune buggy with a back story that puts it squarely at ground zero for the start of the whole Southern California off road scene! One of the earliest VW based buggies known, called a Chimp, invented by Scott McKenzie of Sandmaster and McKenzie Off Road Products fame and recently acquired from the estate of its original owner.
This is history on wheels! Dig it up and drive it! Carchaeology!
( Some historic images from the Nelson Sparks archive )

[@ScottDLR]

Good to hear from you Randy. Thanks for sharing another interesting car story with us.

[@fharrisstowe]

One more note about the two e-brake levers -- when one drive wheel lost traction in sand you could pull that tire's brake lever and shift traction to the other side, subbing for a poor man's limited slip differential.

[@davidneale5821]

Some times called fiddle brakes 😀

[@rixkafer56]

AWESOME FIND ! In 1982 83.. my friend received a new Toyota 4x4 for HS graduation... i could go anywhere he went at the local iff road spot we had in my baja bug... fun times... i still own a baja

[@beatglauser9444]

Scott McKenzie: I knew the name only as the artist who loved flowers in the hair.

[@burtnelson1987]

What a great find! Even more so because it still runs and drives. It's always nice to get them that way. Have fun Randy and stay safe.

[@Carchaeology]

It took a little revival work, but minimal!

[@BIGMIKESKNUTTS]

Burt, does Randy know you’re a commie POS?

[@beatglauser9444]

Normally I am not interested in Buggies at all. But I LOVE that one. Built by a real car guy. Everything is thought through and very functional. And well built as well. I always regarded those over the top fancy buggies with their over the top paintwork and pure show off quality as kind of ridiculous. This vehicle is exactly what a simple offroad vehicle should be like. I did drive offroad in Fourties and Fifties vehicles. Not for fun, but when I was in the Army. So I know the real deal. Tough machines that can drive about everywhere. And this one is extremely simple but cand do the job.

[@petemcnulty]

Thanks for sharing. Good to catch up at Drag Day! 🏁

[@andytalbot6719]

Amazing to see that. Great to learn something about them... very ingenious mods. Love the little details. ❤

[@UberLummox]

Amazing rig!!! As an automotive sheet metal guy, it looks like something I wanna build one day. Looking 4ward to more on this!

[@1234Testicle]

Outstanding Sir

[@Oldbugssy]

What a great history. It looks so cool!

[@user-zg8yr5il8s]

What a great dune buggy. I have a 1963 buggy built by Joe Kendall in his auto shop. He built two buggies one in 1963 and the other in 1964. It's an all VW metal with great features. Love to send you a picture for historical review. Ron

[@Carchaeology]

I’d love to see it!

[@dsummerall9453]

Hey Randy what's going on man I hope you're doing well out there enjoy your content take it easy Hoops all well

[@edbenelli5374]

I could use those seats…

[@MrAmartin8]

What was the Fram filter on the left side of the engine for ....

[@Carchaeology]

Oil as well

[@andytalbot6719]

Empi Sportster vibes

[@Carchaeology]

This pre-dates the Sportster by a couple years. It also pre-dates the famed Peppertree Automotive “Rivets” buggy by at least a year. The Chimp was the first, the rest all followed.

[@andytalbot6719]

@Carchaeology Sure. I realised the predate of the Sportster. McKenzie's is pure form following function, especially with that stepped floorpan. I didn't know about the 'rivets' buggy. Love this stuff!!!!

[@peterwilson3454]

if your goin to san fran cisco

[@ScottDLR]

Good to hear from you Randy. Thanks for sharing another interesting car story with us.

[@Carchaeology]

You bet