South Africans are still crazy for Beach Buggies!
In the sixties and seventies, the Beach Buggy was an iconic symbol of motoring freedom for many South Africans.
Particularly in coastal towns, beach buggies were also known as Dune Buggies, while the roofless originals were built on the chassis of VW Beetles – known affectionately as Bugs.
According to Gumtree, South Africans are still crazy for Beach Buggies, so much so that Volkswagen are currently testing the market for an e-Buggy – an electric powered vehicle with large wheels, off road tyres, open side sills and a large, targa-style rollbar.
Gumtree Auto’s Jeff Osborne says the local trade in Buggies remains very healthy with more than 100 posts connected to beach buggies on the site at the moment.
“Predictably most buggies are up for sale on the coast with surfing hot spots like Jeffreys Bay featuring prominently. But they’re also available in Kimberley, the West Rand and other inland spots for dirt or sand riding and for cruising around town. There’s an extraordinary range both in price – from around R17k to R95k – and in features, with one boasting a 1966 Porsche motor and another claiming a Ferrari-style rear end.”
Osborne’s Top Five Gumtree Beach Buggies at the moment are: