1969 Berry Mini T Dune Buggy ( Boogie Buggy )

[Stu Pedaso]

This project was inspired by Eryk's Boulevard Buggy. But even before his build I often thought about getting a dune buggy since the weather out here is good for an open type vehicle.
Seen them often in So Cal as kids and remember going with neighbors on dune buggy runs.

So, this is a 1969 Berry Mini T body on a shortened VW pan. I bought the buggy here in town off Craigslist. I wanted a vintage body and not just the usual Meyers Manx.
As you can tell it has a body style that is quite unique. Before buying it I did some research on this body style and found it had a bunch of history.
I always have liked the unusual and like to go outside the box, so I thought this was a perfect fit.

Here is a cover issue of Hot Rod Magazine in September of 1970 with the Berry Mini T on the bottom. But check out the other kool buggies as well. Check out the top one with Supremes on it.



The buggy ran and had no issues. I had Frenchy Dehoux, huge VW guru, look it over and he gave it a big thumbs up.

Next was getting it over to the main man himself, Freddie, to get the ball rolling on a facelift. Here a few pics of how it looked originally, blah, but huge potential.





Now, I wanted to keep a 70's style look so the next thing was laying out some ideas with Freddie. This part was easy because we have the same taste in styles we worked together well on this part. Freddie added his touches to some of my ideas and it went well. Great times!!
If you haven't guessed I'm a huge fan of scallops. The body had great flowing lines so we tried to capture those lines and highlight them while getting everything to flow.




After Freddie shot the basecoat and a pound of .015 cobalt flake it was time to layout the final lines.



Finally shooting the scallops and line with the silver chrome flake.



As prospects, Nick and I have to listen to Freddie's advice.



Next came the pin stripping.




Freddie then shot the clear and was put back together, added some drawer pulls on the grille. Still a bunch of work to do but coming along.

[piewagon60]

I believe my words were wash my car minions! It was fun doin somethin different instead of a 39 chevy or 39 caddilac well back to the 39's I guess.

[Rasputin]

Hell yeah Alan. That grille looks great.

Do you have a top for it?

[Tugmaster]

SUPER COOL. I've always loved glass buggies. Between yours and Eryks I'm speecless.
SUBSCRIBED!!!!

[Stu Pedaso]

Hell yeah Alan. That grille looks great.

Do you have a top for it?

Thanks Harry, Yea we debated back and forth Saturday about putting the grille bars on or not, so I feel much better about it now.
I do have the original folding top tubing and brackets. It's so hard to get in and out and the top might make it even worse, but we'll see.
Here's a picture of one with the top.

Here's a couple of ads out of some Hot rod mags that I have.

[ACCESSORYFREAK]

damn....

Every time I cure my VW addiction some body does something amazing and I go right back to looking for another.

[Barn-core]

Love it. The front "grill" area on those buggies always bothered me and I always wondered what could be done to make it look right. I've got to say I think you nailed it.

[ooo000ooo]

Looking good Alan. real good. Dig the grill, and the cones on the wheels, steering wheel both picking up the shape of the headlight domes. details baby, details.

Well done Freddie.

[Eryk]

It turned out super bitchin!!! That grill slays.

[old school]

Looks bad ass Alan. That grill kicks ass. I see you used the same drawer pulls as bed rails also!

[bonez]

It turned out great. I love everything you guys done to it. Bitchin.
Now, i know tires are correct now, but are you plannin on keepin them or runnin skinny whites?

[Stu Pedaso]

^ Yea gonna keep the white lettered tires for now. Wanted a 70's look so they fit. They are not my favorite tire by any means but since they came with the buggy when i bought it, they fit in the budget nicely for now.

[bonez]

Good answer i'd prolly do the same, then slap the pinners on as soon as i can. They'll make a huge diffrence, damn tires make anything look better..

[Flaco]

i think some square headlamps would take it to the next level. that grill is fucking baaaddd.

flaco

[Stu Pedaso]

Looks bad ass Alan. That grill kicks ass. I see you used the same drawer pulls as bed rails also!

Good eye George!

[Chris68]

Wild!

[Tinman]

Fucking cool, Alan! Nice layout on the paint, Fredo... I dig the striper's touches, like that star on the bed. See you guys out some Saturday on Central?

[Nads]

Love it, love it!

[Stu Pedaso]

Thanks Sperry, Oh yea It'll be at the next Central Cruise for sure. That star on the bed was a last second thing while looking through a Mooneyes catalog.

[charlesskelter]

Absolutely bad ass! I would love to see it with a top. The drawer pulls set the front end off perfect.