Desert Fox “Spoiler” Dune Buggy, Circa 1967
This is the second dune buggy with Corvair power I have owned.
Purchased March 28, 2013 from Mike McCrae in Califronia and shipped to my door by
Thomas Sunday Transportation of Pennsylvania.
This is another Myers Manx copy but unlike some others, it’s a thick, well done body.
The only difference between a real Manx and this buggy is the sculpted hood scoop.
This identifies it as a Desert Fox.
This particular buggy has the Hadley Engineering Trans-Vair kit to adapt an early
Corvair swing axle drivetrain and engine to the VW Bug pan.
The Corvair engine is a late model 140HP with a center mount four barrel carb and
custom exhaust. Painted Otto finned valve covers and matching oil pan have been added.
I added the tail lights which are repro 47 Chevy units in stainless steel with LED
bulbs. My first buggy had 64 Mustang tail lights which I liked so I copied the arrangement
with the Chevy units.
I replaced the rusty King Bee style head lights with a set of T-bucket stainless
steel units with integral signal lights.
The roll cage is a custom California style and is attached to the frame in four places.
I had a top made from a modified Jeep Safari Bikini top by a local upholstery shop.
The buggy needed a secure place for tools etc., so I found a plastic box with locking
lid that fit the jump seat area and bolted it in. Perfect !
The seats are a bit large for the buggy body but they are very comfortable. I added
three point retractable shoulder belts.
The rear tires are Hoosier Pro Street 29 X 12.50 R15LT on 10” X 15” American Racing
Torque Thrust rims.
Total weigh in is 1531 pounds with 71 percent on the rear wheels.
HILLBILLY HOT DOGS
EVERYBODY LIKES THE DUNE BUGGY