Channel hopping one bored afternoon, I started watching a TV program called Wheeler Dealers on Discovery. On this particular episode they were taking a knackered old VW Beetle and transforming it into a dune buggy. So the thought sort of stuck with me, i mean how hard could it be.....

Here is Sparky, or as he was known at the time "Volkswagon Beetle 1972 (Tax Exempt) for Restoration eBay item number 250182799042"
Sparky is a 1972 1200cc Beetle, and from a project point of view he is fairly ideal (so far). His electrics are 12v and he has the torsion beam front suspension, so if I go with the buggy plan there is no major chassis modification required.

The first days investigation, including a lesson in opening the hood and the discovery of some mysterious knobs.

The dismemberment (of the car) begins, armed with nothing more than a stanley knife, socket set, hacksaw and a big hammer. Here the horrors of rust and body filler begin to manifest themselves.

As I was working on my own, and the shell was beyond repair, I devised a cunning method of removing the shell

Body shell is mostly gone,and there's nothing too horrible mechanically (yet). Work continues on taking Sparky apart.

Who the hell came up with this design ???

Biiiiiiiig progress, and some bargain buckets

A scruffy but intact GP Mk2 body shell arives.

Getting ready to fit the floor pans.

Interior design, Buggy Style