Hi all
I just joined this forum after seeing a buggy last week and would love to get one. I have been considering kit cars for a while now but wanted something fun and for use off-road and the Beach Buggy ticks those boxes as well as looking amazing.
So, ideally i would like to purchase a correctly registered SWB such as a Sidewinder. If i have to build one then may start with a LWB but i much prefer the looks of the SWB - i just don't know how difficult and costly it will be to build one and get it through the IVA. If i could  get an existing buggy that i could personalise over time that would be ideal
i am waiting on delivery of the Hiw to build a Dune Buggy manual to learn some more but i would be grateful for any tips and tricks
Thanks
Eamon

Hi Eamon and welcome. Where abouts are you? Much washer to meet up with one of us and gave a crack.
Loads of dead helpful folk here.
Paul

Re: cost is how much you have
Paul 1953 is the man re: IVA issues

I am very aware of the fact that reading my build & iva threads may make the iva route appear expensive and difficult. Is this so?
In my opinion no. You just need a bit of faith, some-one to weld and fabricate and a bit of patience and about an additional £2000. (This sounds a lot of cash but in car builds its really not).  Iva for home build, category M1, has become almost an everyday thing now for vosa examiners. Why is my build taking so long.. The simple answer is that it`s not the difficulty but I have, and continue to have, other issues that need my attention almost daily. Nuff said about that.

There is no doubt in my mind that the non iva route is the easiest, most cost effective, way to get yourself a buggy on the road. Take a look at Keith`s, snoopy, builds. I am a very stubborn headed guy and decided I was going the iva route, and I will get there... honest..
The M1 iva manual is truly a daunting read, I know, but it is the essential 1st step. Of the now 320+ pages 95% is M1 Basic requirements and the remainder additions for "pro" folks with small production runs.

Whichever way you go there are plenty of people on here who will fall over backwards to help.

Thanks to both of you (Paul x 2)
i am still investigating options. I would love to build a SWB but outsource the more challenging mechanical parts which i hope would mean a smooth IVA. In terms of costs, i don't know as yet. I am lloking at what i believe is a good donor (new 1600 engine, disc brakes, solid chassis) for about £3500. A kit is about anoth 1000-1500. Chassis shortening seems to be aboyt another 1000. So that's 6k without windscreen, rollbars, rook, lights, instruments, seats etc. And also labour costs to help where needed.
If anyone has a budget and components list of their build that would be very helpful
I am based in Bishops Strotfoed (Herts/Essex off M1)
Thanks
Eamon

Hi Eamon a build or budget list is near impossible as no two are the same and buying used parts can save a fortune. Seat wise production car ones are £100 up as new buckets can be £800 depending on supplier.  resurrecting an old swb is the easiest route if you want a swb and the donor may come with parts. Have a look at my flinstone Gp build in members buggies that was one of those. Sold for a small profit at £3,400 but a new body and extras could add  3k however it saves IVA test and incurred specification costs. Best visit a meet and have a look at some buggies to help you decide.

Quote from: EOL1975 on June 14, 2019, 08:48:41 AM
Thanks to both of you (Paul x 2)
i am still investigating options. I would love to build a SWB but outsource the more challenging mechanical parts which i hope would mean a smooth IVA. In terms of costs, i don't know as yet. I am lloking at what i believe is a good donor (new 1600 engine, disc brakes, solid chassis) for about £3500. A kit is about anoth 1000-1500. Chassis shortening seems to be aboyt another 1000. So that's 6k without windscreen, rollbars, rook, lights, instruments, seats etc. And also labour costs to help where needed.
If anyone has a budget and components list of their build that would be very helpful
I am based in Bishops Strotfoed (Herts/Essex off M1)
Thanks
Eamon

You have given me cause to pause & think.. Yes I still am able  to despite loosing most of my brain cells in the 60`s   

What budget \ what cost...  The simple answer is .... a beach buggy can be an awesome money pit... A buggy is never really fiished. You have already totted up the basic costs and look at what a figure this can be. Take the plunge, be careful with the spend... a bit at a time. I think others would agree with me when I say that the majority of builds from scratch eat up far more money than you can ever expect to recover should the time come to sell it.

One other point re-iva..... there are companies now that offer to take your buggy, check it over, then offer to do what they think is neccessary to make it fully compliant and then take it to vosa for examination. However this recent innovation has developed a really bad reputation. They give no gaurantee that your buggy will pass. Should it fail, and this is often the case, they come back and want more of your cash for the additional work. All in all a bit dubious. Not trying to put you off here, just something to keep in mind as you explore your options. 

welcome to the forum