Monogram 1973 Li'l Van designed by Tom Daniel

[THarrison351]

This little VW based Dune Buggy debuted in 1973. A recreation of the Sand Crab which was released in 1969. Both were Tom Daniel designs. Other than the color, decals, top, windshield, lights and front bumper, the Li'l Van and Sand Crab share everything. Oh yeah, I forgot the whip and dune flag. The top and windshield really make a big difference in the look. The Sand Crab had a short windshield with a clear cantilevered top hanging off of a targa-top like roll bar. The Li'l van well, looks like a van with a full windshield and with a sedan delivery-like top, still incorporating the same roll bar as the Sand Crab. I never built the Sand Crab or the Li'l Van on their first release. Fortunately, Monogram and Tom Daniel were getting along in 1996 and they reissued the Li'l Van version. In the early century, I was on a "must build Tom Daniel models kick" and was collecting them (I only built two, but I have a pretty good stash). My son found this one at this obscure LHS in my area that managed to hold on to a few for several years, and gave it to me for my birthday. It was a pretty easy build as I recall, and I had it on display for a number of years before we moved from our previous home. It's been packed way for about seven years and unfortunately the fragile exhaust tips became broken off and for some reason the windshield fell out. They were rather easy to replace and if the exhaust breaks off again, I'll drill them and put some stiff wire in for strength.

Sand Crab for reference. It had the cool clear cantilevered top!

Condition I found this in, out of the box

All back together. Chrome on Monogram kits was really a disappointment in this period. 

Thanks for looking!

[cobraman]

Cool little model.

[ChrisR]

NICE!!

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[Husky1943]

Ray is right.  That is a cool little model!

[Slimguy]

That is a cool little build...I really like it...

[espo]

Great looking restoration. 

[THarrison351]

Thanks everyone! I still have two more cars to clean and repair. Hope to have them posted soon.

[unclescott58]

Another great Tom Daniel design. Not as good as the original Sand Crab version, in my opinion. But, neat none the less. Good job on an old classic, Tim. 

[slusher]

Very nice and cool!

[ewetwo]

Looks great , Love the color.