Modern dune buggy manufacturers range from boutique fiberglass shops to larger brands that supply complete, ready-to-drive buggies and kit cars for enthusiasts. Many specialize in serial, street‑legal builds that can be registered as regular cars while still offering off‑road looks and capability.
This balance between everyday drivability and rugged style keeps dune buggies relevant for today’s car culture far beyond dedicated racing events.
Several companies focus on Volkswagen‑based platforms, using classic Beetle underpinnings as an accessible starting point for a custom dune buggy. Carolina Dune Buggies, for example, is an authorized distributor for Berrien Buggy by Acme and supplies fiberglass dune buggy bodies, chassis, and complete builds for customers who want a turn‑key, serial‑style buggy. Shops like Buggy Builders in the UK similarly emphasize fully assembled, show‑quality buggies that can be enjoyed on the road as much as on the dunes.
Classic And Kit-Focused Dune Buggy Manufacturers
Enthusiasts looking for classic shapes and kit builds have no shortage of dune buggy manufacturers to choose from. Beyond the famous Meyers Manx dune buggy, brands like Berrien Buggy by Acme, EMPI, and Kellison have all produced iconic fiberglass bodies and chassis solutions.
Many of these companies grew during the original 1960s–1970s boom, when the popularity of the old Meyers Manx inspired a wave of similar fiberglass dune and beach buggy designs.
- Berrien Buggy by Acme: Specializes in fiberglass bodies and tube chassis, often sold through dealers like Carolina Dune Buggies, supporting both street and off‑road builds.
- EMPI (Imp): Known for the Imp, a Manx‑inspired body that became one of the most recognizable alternatives in the era of classic dune buggy kit cars.
- Kellison Sandpiper: Offered distinctive buggy bodies distributed through a broad network across the United States, allowing customers to buy kits locally and build them at home.
These manufacturers emphasize serial‑style production and repeatable kits rather than one‑off race specials, making it easier for hobbyists to own a buggy that can be driven on public roads. Even when some of their products end up on the track or in off‑road competition, the core catalog caters to drivers who want weekend cruising, car shows, and casual dune trips rather than full‑time racing.
Modern And Utility-Oriented Buggy Builders
Not all dune buggy manufacturers focus strictly on nostalgia; some build modern utility and sport buggies that blur the line between classic dune buggy and side‑by‑side. Brands such as Joyner and Polaris produce off‑road oriented vehicles with roll cages, long‑travel suspension, and four‑seat options for families who want to explore dunes and trails together.
While many of these models lean more toward utility and sport than to vintage fiberglass style, they still carry core dune and buggy DNA in their open design and focus on fun.
Retailers like V‑Dub Store also supply off‑road dune buggy and sand rail frames, offering customers a starting point for custom builds. These frames can become anything from a bare‑bones trail rig to a fully finished, street‑registered dune buggy, depending on local regulations and the owner’s goals. Racing‑oriented rails and competition buggies exist in this space, but the majority of buyers still aim for dual‑purpose, serial‑style machines they can enjoy on pavement and dirt alike.
The Continuing Influence Of Meyers Manx
Even with a diverse field of dune buggy manufacturers, the influence of Meyers Manx remains strong in design language and brand storytelling. The original Meyers Manx dune buggy established the template for a compact, open‑top fiberglass car riding on a Beetle chassis, and many later bodies echo that shape.
Today’s Meyers Manx company builds both heritage‑inspired models and the modern Manx 2.0 EV, showing how a classic concept can evolve into a contemporary serial product.
Collectors still seek out genuine classic Manx kits and cars, viewing the old Meyers Manx as a centerpiece of dune buggy history. The Manx symbol remains a recognizable mark in buggy culture, signaling not just a brand but an entire philosophy of simple, lightweight fun that many other dune buggy manufacturers continue to interpret in their own way.
Notable Dune Buggy Manufacturers
Below is a concise overview of key dune buggy manufacturers that have shaped both classic and modern buggy culture, focusing mainly on serial and street‑friendly builds.
Meyers Manx
- Iconic creator of the original Meyers Manx dune buggy, built on shortened Volkswagen Beetle chassis for lightweight, agile performance.
- Modern lineup includes classic‑style kits and the Manx 2.0 EV, keeping the Manx symbol at the center of premium dune and beach buggy culture.
Berrien Buggy by Acme
- Specializes in fiberglass bodies and tube chassis that can be configured as street‑legal or off‑road buggies, appealing to serial‑style builders.
- Distributed through dealers like Carolina Dune Buggies, making it easier for enthusiasts to assemble complete dune and buggy projects without starting from scratch.
EMPI (Imp)
- Known for the EMPI Imp, one of the most recognizable alternatives to the classic old Meyers Manx shape in the dune buggy kit world.
- Offers a wide range of VW‑based parts and accessories, supporting both restoration and fresh dune buggy manufacturers builds with period‑correct character.
Kellison Sandpiper
- Produced distinctive fiberglass bodies that were sold widely in the United States, helping spread dune buggy culture far from coastal regions.
- Many Sandpiper builds aim for street registration, blending beach‑buggy aesthetics with everyday drivability rather than track‑only racing focus.
Carolina Dune Buggies
- Acts as a one‑stop shop and builder, supplying parts, kits, and complete vehicles for customers who want a ready‑to‑drive dune buggy manufacturers style build.
- Emphasizes serial, repeatable configurations, making it easier for owners to maintain and upgrade their buggies over time.
Joyner
- Builds modern off‑road buggies with roll cages and long‑travel suspension, aimed at trail and dune recreation rather than vintage show cars.
- While more utility‑oriented, Joyner vehicles carry the core spirit of dune and buggy fun, often used by families and adventure‑seekers instead of racers only.
Polaris (Off-Road Buggies)
- Produces sport and utility off‑road vehicles that overlap with the dune buggy concept, especially in open‑frame, high‑clearance models.
- Many Polaris builds focus on recreational trail and dune use, appealing to drivers who want serial‑style reliability with serious off‑road performance.
V‑Dub Store / Frame Suppliers
- Supplies off‑road dune buggy kits, sand rail frames, and chassis components that serve as foundations for custom street or off‑road buggies.
- Customers can configure builds from minimalist trail rigs to full, road‑registered Meyers Manx dune buggy‑inspired projects using these frames.
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