1968 Volkswagen Beetle-based Sidewinder Beach Buggy

1968 Volkswagen Sidewinder Beach Buggy – 1835cc Blueprinted Performance Engine

A beautifully presented VW-based Sidewinder Beach Buggy, finished in a stunning deep purple metalflake that really comes alive in direct sunlight.

The standout feature of this particular buggy is its extensively built 1835cc air-cooled performance engine. This is far removed from a standard Beetle engine and is accompanied by paperwork documenting the build and specification.

The engine specification includes a 1500GT crankcase, toughened pushrods, toughened and balanced flywheel, Illuminator cylinder heads with big valves, external oil cooler and twin Weber 45 carburettors, which have been re-jetted to suit the engine. The engine has been blueprinted and is fitted with solid engine mounts.

Power is delivered through a traditional four-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. The combination of the uprated engine and the buggy's very light construction makes it extremely responsive, with a fantastic air-cooled VW soundtrack from the exposed rear engine and twin exhaust system.

The buggy sits on classic deep-dish wheels with substantially wider Challenger 4x4 rear tyres, giving it the traditional beach-buggy stance. Other features include the black roll-over hoops, chrome headlamps, custom steering wheel and a comprehensive dashboard incorporating speedometer, rev counter and additional engine monitoring gauges.

The interior is finished with two supportive black sports seats and black carpeting and presents very well.

It has recently undergone an extensive professional detail, with particular attention paid to the paintwork, engine area and brightwork. The chrome has also been refreshed, and the results can be seen in the photographs. The purple metalflake has exceptional depth and changes considerably depending on the light.

The exposed engine bay also presents extremely well and is very much part of the visual appeal of the car.

A comprehensive history/ paperwork file accompanies the buggy, including documentation relating to its high-specification engine.

As with any classic/ custom vehicle of this age, prospective buyers are very welcome to inspect the car for themselves. I have tried to describe it accurately rather than make unrealistic claims about a 1968-based vehicle.

It is a distinctive, properly engineered and beautifully presented example that is ready for its next owner to enjoy.

This is one of those cars that is almost impossible to use without smiling.

I acquired the buggy after being lucky enough to win it through Aspire Competitions. It was already a very special car, but during my ownership I wanted to bring its presentation up to the standard that its mechanical specification deserved. It has therefore recently been professionally detailed, with the brightwork and chrome refreshed, and it now looks fantastic.

What makes it stand out for me is the combination of that incredible purple metalflake bodywork and the exposed 1835cc engine. In normal light the paint is a deep purple, but put it in the sunshine and the metalflake produces pink, red, blue and violet highlights. The photographs give a good impression, but it's even more striking in person.

Then there's the engine. The twin Weber 45s, big-valve heads and extensively uprated 1835cc build give this little car a completely different character from a standard VW-powered buggy. With so little car to move, it feels wonderfully lively and the sound from the exposed air-cooled engine is a huge part of the experience.

I also have comprehensive paperwork for the car and its engine, which was particularly important to me with something so heavily modified.

I'm selling simply because the time has come for somebody else to enjoy it. It isn't a car you see every day and it attracts attention and conversation virtually wherever it goes.

If you're looking for an anonymous classic, this probably isn't it. If you want something unusual, characterful, beautifully presented and enormous fun on a sunny day, it's very difficult to beat.