Also created one pod and it’s perfect. Will be cutting it to size and begin chopping the rear of the buggy around to make them fit.
Also had a crash course in glassing and will be attacking the sidepods (blending them in) over the coming weeks. Work continues, if a bit slower than I’d hoped (darn bathroom:p).

I’ll be arranging a big van to transport the body and old beetle chassis (which was kindly stored by Mel until the frame is started) to the frame fabricators.

I’ve decided to go for a standard grey colour with no flowcoat underneath as I plan to hack the body about a bit once I have the chassis.

Luckily whilst ordering this, I found out about an existing beetle chassis nearby which was for sale.
It was in good shape, only had 2 previous owners and is tax exempt!
It was an absolute bargain, so snapped it up.

I now know my next buggy’s registration, it will be CBY 64J

There are many buggy manufacturers in the UK and most have a short wheel base version.
Different bodies have different positive and negative points and different people will have a favourite.
Here is a selection of ones I considered (please forgive me if I miss any out)

http://www.manxbuggies.co.uk for the sidewinder

http://www.buzzbugs.com/ for the predator

http://www.eastcoastbuggies.co.uk for the manx, prowler and bounty hunter

http://www.dunebuggy.co.uk/ for the surf buggy and GT SWB

http://www.beachbuggies.co.uk/ for the jas buggy

http://www.kkvw.co.uk/ for the GT, kango and kombat

http://www.beach-buggy.net/ for the manta ray, renegade and kyote

http://www.doon.co.uk for the doon

After weighing up the pros and cons (and price!) of all of the above, I settled for a sidewinder. This is the new body by Mel Hubbard and just so happens to be the closest manufacturer to me!

The car was built up and after a lick of paint, the new body was added.