There are many classic cars that get a backseat and suddenly lose everything that made them visual stunners. I hate to pick on an obscure car like this 1976 Allison Daytona dune buggy, but this is a case of the extra passenger space having a somewhat questionable end result on the final product. However, some fans say it’s a well-built kit and life does tend to be more fun with friends in tow. Find the Meyers-Manx alternative here on craigslist for $8,500.

The asking price startled me, as when I was selling an equally-obscure Manx replica known as a Howell Craft, all I heard from supposed dune buggy enthusiasts was how cheaply they can acquire such vehicles. And it’s true, you can wade into the detritus of craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and find battered fiberglass shells of unknown origin for peanuts, all day long.

Now, all that being said, I’m all for dune buggy owners asking a fair price for cars as complete as this one. I sure as heck don’t feel like assembling one of these in my garage, so the whole argument about how cheaply you bought a pile of parts goes out the window when factoring your own time spent assembling it. This example is said to run well and the engine looks to be in order.

I realize that’s a useless opinion when made from the other side of a computer screen, so I’ll not say anything further about engine health. The interior is super tidy, with a Hurst-style shifter, full carpeting, a crack-free dash, and seats finished in a color scheme wholly typical of the era. If you’re hunting for a VW-powered dune buggy with room for four, this may be worth a look.