Hi all,
I'm going to have a look at a buggy hopefully this weekend, a pic is below. Can anyone tell me the make, etc (what it is known as)? What to look for?

All advice appreciated, am hoping I can scrape the $$ for this if it is OK. I am already following up some advice on the whole engineering certificate side of it, so any hints apart from that?

[Edited on 19/3/2005 by phantom]

Well its a J & S or Taipan buggy, just check the usual rust areas, make sure it has the appropriate paperwork etc.

Yep J&S buggy
Has the smiley face bonnet on it.

Just look for rust in the frame head and the gearbox horns.
Apart from that , just make sure the numbers match up.
There is not really much else to look for with them.

Good luck with it and i hope you get it.
It looks like a ripper

yes it's a J&S buggy, not a Taipan. I would look for any sign of rust underneath, registration as a BUGGY and also look for bent or damaged steering and suspension as these things can take a lot of punishment off road.

I had a look briefly today - the guy has slowly built it up to what it is, has not had any running as a Buggy. I am following up the 'paperwork' side, it has not been rego'd as a buggy so I know to look at all of that before I buy. Looked quite good, actually better than the photos.

It needs a few things before it would pass inspection (apart from the engineering side of things).....needs front indicators, seat belts, rear bumper, cage over the engine, number plate light, and a battery harness.

The guy drove it out of the garage, he hadn't started it for a while (I noted dust on the steering wheel, etc) and it started nicely first time, ticked over well, no problem reversing it out.

No spare wheel - where do you guys keep it? Behind the seats? With a buggy, do you keep a spare front or back tyre (2 different sizes)?

He said it was a J & S body...does anyone have a website to look at for these?

Is it short or long wheelbase?

As for the spare wheel, you dont legally need one in NSW, dunno about the ACT. If you do want to take one spare with you, probbaly better to have it the same as the front, otherwise you might get steering problems.. A different size on the back shouldnt be too much of a drama to get you home or to the nearest tyre place.

Spare tyres are always a problem with buggies. I carry a can of that stuff you spray into the flat tyre thats meant to fix the flat temporarily. I haven't had to use it yet touch wood. I'm thinking of adding a spare wheel carrier to the new roll cage in future, which is probably the best way that I can think of doing it.

The good thing about the J&S buggies is you don't need a engine cage to get regoed, you just need a belt cover.
One of those pully cages does the trick.

No cage required on a J&S? It is very exposed, I'm fine with a pulley cover but really thought it would need the whole cage. It's a short wheel base, very tidy unit, I'm rather impressed with it.

[Edited on 20/3/2005 by phantom]

not too bad, looks great apart from the bonnet, not a big fan of the sloping look... whats up with the engine tinware and exhaust? stuff that is yet to be removed i guess...

YEah, i forgot to say, with Cannon exhausts only.
If you went something like a thunder bird exhaust then you need a cage.

It looks like a sweet little buggy man, don't miss out on it.

And yeah get rid of that tin ware and exhaust

How easy is it to remove the tinware? Can a gumby do it?

Rough idea please.....looking at these pics, and with the following info, anyone want to give me a ball park figure that I should be looking at, $$ wise?

Short Wheel Base, can't see any rust, has been garaged since he started the project 4 years ago.
No rego or paperwork.
Runs, he started it and reversed it out for me.
What it needs (or, we believe it needs):
- rear bumper, cage (if reqd), etc
- number plate light, etc for plate
- front indicators
- mirrors
- wiper arms (has wiper motor installed)
- seat belts (how? lap belts only?)
- battery harness

I think thats it....any ideas?

Here is a bit of an idea for you.

I paid $2,000 for the white one unreg with no papers.
Later found papers hiden

And the green one i paid $1,000 for with papers, but no reg.

this one you are looking at seems to be in better condition than both of those but it has no previous papers, so i would say if you could get it fo anything under $2k you would be on the right path.

As for the tin ware, just undo the 4 or 5 screws holding it on.
Its a sinch, you only have to take the bit off that sticks out past the pulley wheel.

[Edited on 21/3/2005 by manx_xtc]

This afternoon I had the car checked over by an engineer, and wanted something in writing re certification before I work on a price with the owner.

He was fairly impressed with the car, noting the following work:

- fix wipers (no arms, motor not working....probably wiring)
- fix broken headlight glass
- fit front indicators
- fit seatbelts
- fit pulley cover and number plate light

Thats it! He is fine with the short wheel base and all the other stuff I though it would need.

Now, just hafta decide if we really need it, and to work on a price....

Just go for it dude.
They are so much fun, no rusty bodies to deal with wind in the hair. the only down side is wetness is a common thing.
Both when it rains and when the mrs wets herself as you go over a serrious dune.

the front looks like a sad fish...:thumb