Hi all
I have returned to the buggy fraternity after many years absence with the purchase of the orange GP buggy recently advertised on ebay.
Originally I owned a Rat (bought in 1979) and later a Chenowth so have an inkling of what is required to keep these mad vehicles running.
Suffering a few teething problems but resolving these is all part of the fun of ownership.
Hopefully will meet with other owners in Teesside/Durham/Tyneside.

welcome back to the world of buggies there are some up that way still,I have no idea if any of the Cleveland Buggy Club crew are still about up there.

1982 Cleveland National Buggy Convention, we were there albeit as a lad from Edinburgh.

Great decision to get a buggy and right attitude to say issues are part of the fun.

Be good to see a few images of your new love out and about when you have a chance.

It`s a Hi from me.    Just along the road from you. (23 miles). Commuted from Aycliffe to Brenda Road and back for 13 years.

Welcome Back   

A lot of old faces and crew still lurking on here

Hi Paul
It would be good to meet up.
I plan on going to Croft for the Modern to Classic show on May 9th.
I probably need a refresher course on buggy maintenance.
Know anywhere in the North East capable of making hoods?

Hi.....   I usually do the Croft show thing each year but have found myself unable to attend this year which is a shame as I usually go with my son and young grandson.

Hoods........  A good question........   I still have not got round to getting one. Dave DND invited me for a cup of tea when he gave me the name and address of a place that made what I thought was the best designed and best fitting hood that I had ever seen. That would be a round trip for me of approx.  720 miles x 2 which I have yet to make.
You are in Hartlepool so I would have a look round the marina/harbour and ask who is still in sail making and you may find someone who will do you one out of canvas/vinyl etc. (That`s how we did it back in the 1970`s).
Facebook is another place to look ... Buggy info marketplace etc.  There are now a number of people into buggy hoods etc now but no-one I know of close to our neck of the woods.

For a full hood you are looking at around £2000 from a pro outfit.... Yep that`s two thousand.
Another option is a "Binimi" style top which will keep rain off you as long as it`s not blowing sideways as it often is off the north sea. Again the marina/harbour is the place to look as Binimi tops originate from yachts and motor launches

Be warned, and I kid you not, a Beach Buggy is a "money pit"     

Re hoods, Paul is about right with cost, mine would be that by the time years of inflation added on.

Worth considering a bikini roof, mines the full deal with

 A full rear section with roll back centre piece which I never roll back as exhaust fumes get sucked in.
A front section screen to roll cage which is what I normally use. Mines I lwb so if ive got gear in the back or rain is biblical the back bit goes on. Also the front bit alone is quick to fit and a godsend in really hot weather
2 side panels, only any use if parking up overnight as I can see sweet fa with them fitted and it's like a sauna including condensation.

On a swb a bikini roof is all you need, cheaper and quick to fit, smaller to pack if your going topless.

That's my 2 pennorth

Thanks for the hood advice.  Just contemplating what might be needed in the rainy north (already have the bikini).

Quote from: dodsbug on April 15, 2026, 03:35:08 PMJust contemplating what might be needed in the rainy north

I'm in rainy West Midlands where we are on the southern edge of Manchester weather and the northern edge of Birmingham's.

Quote from: dodsbug on April 15, 2026, 03:35:08 PMThanks for the hood advice.  Just contemplating what might be needed in the rainy north (already have the bikini).

I am an ancient 73 year old grumpy guy who has had a buggy on the road for just over 3 years now. I go out in it all year round. My initial worry was electrics when it rained or the engine stopping due to a soaked ignition system. Touch wood all that has ever happened. One of my favourite buggy trips is from Newton Aycliffe through Firtree past Wolsingham and off left to Hill End. Up then from Weardale to the peaks that take you into Teesdale and then down, down, down to Barnard Castle and back to Co Durham. Spectacular views all the way but..... it can be blue skys when I set off and in no time big black clouds and down comes the rain. I have got wet so many times I don`t even think about it anymore, I have Cobra non reclining seats and they are dished at the seat base. Rainwater falls on my head, runs down the back of my neck and pools in the seat base. My family, neighbours etc think I have a "tile loose" and maybe I have but it`s just me and I doubt I will ever change now. You know as well as I do seeing you live in Hartlepool that if you wait for the rain to stop you will be pushing up daisies before it does       I use the Holts spray on my coil, distributor cap and ignition leads so maybe that has helped.

Good stuff Paul and I note what you say about visiting Barnard Castle and having "spectacular views all the way". This has made me rethink my initial scepticism when during Covid I heard Dominic Cummings justification for driving to Barnard Castle during Covid was "to test his eyesight"....

I think you may be able to imagine what the folk living in Barnard Castle made of that guy Hugh. Apart from being a total liar.
He galavanted round with his family in total disregard to the locals who sticking by the covid rules. He is still talked about with derision to this day. Wonder if he ever went back again.

Mot'd today.
Trials and tribulations - example, who uses silicone sealant instead of a gasket for the float chamber!
All part of relearning a buggy.