Here we have another variant in the large family tree of VW-based dune buggies that were seemingly everywhere in the 60s and 70s. As I learned from selling an orphan brand of kit car dune buggy last year, it can be challenging to find the facts and figures that help confirm the origins and history behind a particular brand of buggy. Thankfully, this one has something of a background that makes it easier to quantify its rarity as the seller notes it was designed by Dean Jeffries, who had a hand in creating many legendary movie cars. The Mantaray II Kyote seen here on craigslist was designed for one of the Monkees movies, and is #113 of 145 ever built. The seller is asking $1,969 or best offer.

What I ran into when I had listed the Howell Craft dune buggy last year is the crowd that buys these things is very much accustomed to getting them as cheaply as possible. Everywhere you look there’s an “enthusiast” claiming they got a complete running example for a box of Cheez-Its and some Miller Lite. Never mind the fact that the tub may be in excellent shape and it comes with a good motor, it’s all about the perception that rarity is irrelevant in the dune buggy community – despite the fact that many of them are lavished with thousands of dollars in restoration costs. In my opinion, that’s why the seller of this kit with a legit claim to Hollywood fame is selling it for a very cheap price.

It even comes with a known good VW 1500 motor and transmission that currently turns freely by hand. The sale includes both the pan the Kyote rides on and an additional pan to build another dune buggy off of. That’s just a ridiculous amount of parts for the money, but it also goes to show just how challenging it can be to unload one of these projects – you have to give away the store to get anything in return. This particular seller even goes so far as to say he’ll let you borrow his tow bar and tow lights if you don’t have your own to get it home. That’s generosity at a whole ‘nother level, and certainly goes beyond my sense of good will given how many low-ballers he’s still likely to hear from.

The seller notes the pan the Kyote rides on has a clean Nevada title; no word if the spare pan does as well. The listing notes he will get around to finishing it if no one bites at his current offer, but I don’t see it getting any better than what’s presented here. I would resist putting it back together, as aside from the original Meyers Manx cars, I suspect even in running condition the offers will still come in shy of the actual work put in. The seller is very open to trades for a daily-driver Jeep, van, or truck, and I imagine something from the vanning category would suffice in terms of an even exchange. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find.