I’m sure that we all have our own automotive Bucket List, and while I have had the privilege to drive some desirable cars during my lifetime, one that has always eluded me is a traditional Dune Buggy. The former host of Top Gear UK, James May, describes them as the most utterly joyous vehicles you can drive. That is quite a wrap coming from a man who has sampled some of the most exotic cars on the planet. This 1961 Dune Buggy is another that will slip through my fingers, but you could have more luck on that front than me. It is located in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The price of admission to this world of automotive enjoyment has been set at $9,500. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Adriano for spotting this beauty for us.

The owner of this beast describes it as a “Meyers Manx-style” Buggy. He hasn’t been able to confirm whether it is the real deal, so that will be a task for the buyer to tackle. It presents reasonably well for a survivor of this age, although the buyer might treat it to a cosmetic refresh. It is finished in a shade of Brown that features the stereotypical high levels of metalflake in the paint. The paint holds a respectable shine across most of the vehicle, although it shows deterioration on the front. It hasn’t reached the point where it requires immediate attention, although the buyer might choose to treat the vehicle to a repaint in the future. Also included is a white soft-top that is respectable. It is slightly “saggy” in a couple of spots, and the windows are cloudy, but it would offer reasonable protection in wet weather. Below the surface, this Buggy follows the tradition of being based on a VW Beetle frame and drivetrain. I can spot some surface corrosion in the floors that might require treatment, but there is no visible penetrating rust. All of the chrome shines nicely, and the electrical components like the lights work as they should. For me, there is one feature that I would change if I were to buy this classic. I have always liked Magnum 500 wheels, and they can look fantastic on the right car. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that a Dune Buggy is one of those vehicles. The owner says that the tires are old and need to be replaced, so I’d take that opportunity to bolt on some more appropriate wheels.

True to form, this Dune Buggy is powered by a flat-four air-cooled 4-cylinder VW engine with a 4-speed manual transaxle. The owner doesn’t indicate what capacity the engine is, and I could only hazard a guess. The 1961 Beetle was not a potent classic, but its performance was adequate for most people. The original 1961 drivetrain came alive when bolted into a Dune Buggy, even in unmodified form. The reason for this is pretty simple. Volkswagen produced the Beetle with an enclosed body made entirely of steel. While this wasn’t particularly heavy, replacing it with a fiberglass Buggy body pruned significant amounts of weight out of the car. With less weight to move, the performance of a Buggy was always significantly better than that of the donor car. Therefore, even the lowest-spec flat-four can make a Dune Buggy pretty lively. Even though we are flying blind on the engine, the good news is that the owner says that the Buggy runs and drives extremely well. He wouldn’t recommend using it with the old tires, but this classic should be ready to hit the road with a new set installed.

A Dune Buggy interior will never be confused with that of a luxury car, but that’s hardly surprising when you consider the life these were designed to live. Upholstery and trim needed to be hard-wearing and as water-resistant as possible to cope with a life lived near beaches and the ocean. Seats were usually upholstered in vinyl, while some dispensed with the concept of luxuries like carpet in favor of rubber mats or bare floors. This vehicle has mats on the floors and the traditional Black vinyl on the seats. It looks serviceable, although the upholstery patterns on the front seats and the rear are slightly different. The back also looks to be pretty new, while the ones on the front are becoming dilapidated. Replacements are easy to find and pretty affordable, so a new set would transform the appearance. The dash is painted and features a host of gauges. If the buyer performs an exterior repaint, refreshing the dash would be part of this process.

I look at this 1961 Dune Buggy, and all that I see is a load of automotive fun on four wheels. It is ready to hit the road with little work, but lifting its presentation to the next level would not be complicated or expensive. That brings us to the inevitable question about value. The owner has not been able to confirm that this is a genuine Meyers Manx, and the asking price reflects that fact. However, if the buyer finds the proof required, that could profoundly affect its potential value. You will struggle to find a genuine example for under $25,000 in today’s market, while there have been some pristine vehicles that have recently topped $50,000. At the asking price, this Dune Buggy has a lot to offer. If some detective work determines that it is a Meyers Manx, it could be one of the buys of the year. Would you be willing to take it on?