TeeVee Dune Buggy

[Psychographic]

My last (current) build was supposed to be simpler than it wound up being. Seeing as I'm almost done with that one, I thought I would break out a project already started, plus one I don't plan to add a lot of detail to. Over the summer I found a TeeVee Dune buggy on sale and thought it had potential. I never did have a plan for this build and still don't. The longer I looked at this thing, the less I liked it. So I decided to start cutting and see what I can come up with.I began with a tapered lowering of the nose, raising the front fenders, removing and filling the bed, and adding to the leading edge of the rear fenders.

 

 

Next up was to drop the ride height, I did this by adding 5/16" to the bottom of the tunnel and adding the same amount to the bottom of the body. The front suspension arms were cut off, reversed left for right and a small amount of scrap extended the backing plates.

 

 

 

 I needed to address the tiny cockpit and decided to move the windshield forward about 1/2". IIRC I used the Manx windshield that also came with the kit. I also found the back of an 80's-90's Corvette to complete the back.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2016 by Psychographic

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great start. Looking foward to seeing more.

[Snake45]

I like where you're going with this! Please do keep us posted on your progress!

[Sixties Sam]

A definite improvement to the design! This should be killer when it's done!

Sam

[Psychographic]

I have a shape that I like, but where to go with it now?

 

 

I cut the stock grille in half and added to it, along with making some headlights.

 

Edited October 21, 2016 by Psychographic

[David G.]

Nice work so far.

David G.

[Dogfish_7]

Some great white stuff work!

[espo]

Looks interesting. Those front tires really look large. Like the grill, is there a water cooled engine in the future ?   

[Davewilly]

looks pretty cool so far.

[CancinoEvil]

Wow, this is great, I applaud the effort in this build.  It's such a small body but you've already done a lot to it.  Kutgw

[Psychographic]

Thanks everyone.

 

It's going to have a VW engine, and actually those front tires are one of the smallest I have. They are Aoshima 14" wheels and tires. They are a bit wide, but with how low it sits, I think they'll do the job.

 

The Aoshima on the left and the kit front tire on the right.

 

Edited October 21, 2016 by Psychographic

[cobraman]

Looks like another crazy cool project underway.

[Psychographic]

I used the Manx roof and it completely changed how it looks.

 

Edited October 21, 2016 by Psychographic

[oldcarfan]

If you were to stretch the nose about a half inch or so it would look kind of like a Lotus Super 7.

[Psychographic]

We're just about caught up with what's been done and it's on to real time. Last night I spent time filling gaps between the backbone, chassis pan, and body.  I finally picked a color for the engine, Organic Green Candy over the chrome. I masked off the cylinders, and gave the rest 2 coats of Bulldog adhesion promoter, followed by a few coats of the green, and lastly, 2 coats of urethane clear. I love this effect, it's a shame the camera can't really catch how it looks.

 

 

 

Here is the turbo for the engine. I'm pretty sure the bodies where made from the retaining rings that held the interior tubs and glass in place on older kits. The exhaust is basically stock and I think the intake manifold is made from.080 rod.The aircleaner and megaphone were made from lengths of 1/8", 3/16", and 14" tubes cemented together then sanded to shape. The aircleaner got a band of 3/16" on one end the other end was capped with some .060 scrap. I then scratched the element to give it some texture, hopefully once painted it will look OK. The flanges on the intake and turbo are .030.

 

Edited October 22, 2016 by Psychographic

[crazyjim]

I like what going on here and will continue to watch.

[Psychographic]

Everything will need to be glued for it all to be straight, but you'll get the general idea of the turbo setup from these pics.

 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Engine color is stunning. The turbo and exhaust is very nice.

[Snake45]

I think your radiator/grille is a little close to the ground (you had the right idea to enlarge it, but went a bit too far), but otherwise, I like very much where you're going with this. Model on!

[espo]

Like the Turbo setup. Engine color is unique and very eye catching.

[Johan020]

Great idea om the Corvette raar end 

love iT already

[Mr mopar]

Awesome ! you gave it a gangster look it like it .

[shucky]

Another awesome project! 

[oldnslow]

The set up looks nice, but the turbo has to blow thru something to get fuel into the engine. ( carb, fuel injector, throttle body)

[Psychographic]

The set up looks nice, but the turbo has to blow thru something to get fuel into the engine. ( carb, fuel injector, throttle body)

If you look at the bases of the intake manifolds, you'll see a box that will eventually be a throttle body.

 

I originally cut the stock trailing arms from the shock mounts to allow for a dropped stance. I decided to make my own arms and mounts. I've got both trailing arms done and just need to make one more shock mount. The shock mount in the background is still the stock unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2016 by Psychographic