anybody see a way to turn this into a steetable rod?

without gettin to crazy....it runs and drives beautiful but it's an "offroad" vehicle...sits kinda high, seat is over the rear diff...truck cab maybe? or fab some kind of body? i'd really like to make it streetable.

 

Looks like a model T would work on that.

 

That there's an OLD dune buggy. Cutting brakes and all.

I wouldn't cut that up. It should be preserved.

 

All I can say is GOOD LUCK

 

Dont mess it up...

That how they used to build 'em for the sand dunes.

And that one looks like its well built.

 

Have a look at some of the bodies in this thread.

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=570286&highlight=street+dragster

 

It is what it is. I am intrigued by the rear suspension though, how the hell does it work with no driveshaft?

 

I can't see any gain to be made from that as a starting point ...
And as the others mentioned it has coolness just the way it is .

 

i had one just like it with a 324 olds. rear was mounted solid, no drivshaft. seats were mounted on pivots with motorcycle shocks on the back. cool as heck tho. id keep it like that!

 

Porch swing.

 

Haul it to Yuma and see how it does?

 

theres a couple clubs in bakersfield with machines like this. they do hillclimbs and sandrags at the dunes. way cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elI0fx4EuL4

 

yep, i'd leave that alone or sell it to a dune buggy inthusiast. it's nice and untouched. at least it looks like it is.

 

No dunes within a decent drive around here and I pack a scar under my cheek bone from running my brush buggy through a neighbors barb wire fence the day before my 19th birthday. Came about a half inch of not becoming 19 on that one.

That's an interesting frame and I'd move put in a Model A style crossmember under where the radiator sits and move the suspension back. The I'd extend the frame with a slight kick in the back to move the rear end back far enough to set a T style tub where the passenger area is now. But I don't get excited and pee on my leg when I see an old dune buggy like some guys do. Maybe one of them can offer up a decent frame and front and rear suspension and engine and trans in trade for the buggy to save it from becoming a hot rod.

 

Sand rails are good at climbimg hills made out of loose packed soil and that looks like a good one. Go have some fun with it.

 

Absolutely cool piece of vintage history just the way it sits. I wouldn't change a thing...

 

I have to say it looks like the one my uncle Jerry built back in 1963 in santa maria.

 

We use to call those water pumpers back in the days. Every one else had a VW based sand rail. When I was kid these were all the rage. From Glamis to Pismo these things were every where. Pretty cool to see one these days.

I have a guy in the area that has a full blown street legal Sprint car. If you jusp through all the hoops and pay the fee's you could probably get a plate for it.

Is it safe.....Thats a whole other issue.

 

purdy cool. I'd leave it.

looks like a lot of springs out back. is that a U-Joint and no drive shaft???

 

now that is weird!! i was thinking about these just today. how odd one would show up on here. i got into dune buggies back in '63 and this is what everybody was driving. the aircooled type hadn't really got started yet. i remember around this time HOT ROD mag had one on the cover and a piece inside on sand bugs. all v8 types too. they had it at lions running the 1/4, but all it did was wheelstands. i was thinking about building one with a 4 banger of some type, just for the gas consumption to get back into it. i would take this one out and see if you like sand bugg'n before i cut it up, if i was you. also, if you take it out, someone might want to buy it. after all, they are like driving a dragster, after a fashion.

 

Waterpumpers are making a comeback!!
Some Duners are starting to tire of outspending each other on outrageous rides and are looking to get back to the basics.
(Sound familiar??)
I would not even consider hacking that up without at least throwing an ad out on a Buggy site and see if there is any interest.

 

as a side note: i live in the upper desert of calif. if you live anywhere near me pm me if your thinking about selling it. i'll see if i can get enough money up to buy it.

 

rigs like that are where "Oldsmobile" got its name out in Glamis...or so i believe..pretty cool!

 

Some DOT legal tires, brakes on the front end, stoplights. Maybe turn signals. Headlamps are only needed if you drive it at night.

I could have plates on that in a week or two.

B.

 

What isnt streetable?? magnetic trailer taillights and viola!

 

I don't know for sure where no where is. Is a body required in that state? In good old muddy missouri all that is required is the proper saftey equipment.

 

I'd find a Rolls Royce body to throw on it.

 

yeah, i may just leave it alone, i don't see an easy way to put a body on it, but i'll have it out at the first el mirage meet cruising around

 

Yeh, don't mess with it. Years ago water pumpers were the rage at "Little Sahara" in Oklahoma. I'd play with it or sell it a buggy enthusiast that would appreciate it for what it is. Too much modification required to really make it viable driver. How does that rear suspension work with no driveshaft?

 

Don't touch it. You try and make that "street legal" and you gonna end up with a pile of poo. It's kool like it is. If you can't use it, sell it. But don't cut it up or glue a body on it.