The following pages detail the build-up of the Doon Buggy which was commisioned during 2004 by Volksworld magazine and given away as a raffle prize at the Volksworld Show, which took place at Sandown Park Race Course near London in April 2005.  The chassis was prepared by Oldbury based company Volksmagic, who also completed the mechanical works and bent the cage. Whilst Chad and Rich from Doon, screwed it together and wired the electrics.

Here is a brief run down of what is covered in each section of the build.

Article 1(Volksworld - October 2004)

We began by getting rid of the rusty bits of metal on our 1971 1200cc Beetle floor pan, shortening it by cutting some 390mm from out of its backbone - Don’t forget Project Doon is a short wheel base buggy!. Then replacing all the crumbly bits with a nice new frame head and new floors, before coating the inside with Waxoyl and the outside with zinc, spay sealer and a couple of coats of two-pack satin black.

Article 2 (Volksworld - November 2004)

The next step was to get the chassis rolling and so this issue saw the fitment of a new Puma beam, plus the front brakes and steering. We also detailed the fitting of Volksmagic’s own rear disc kit (which uses a combination of both Bug Pack and current day VW parts); finishing the article with our buggy rolling on its BFG shod Porsche Teledial wheels.

Article 3 (Volksworld - December 2004)

We fit the newly painted gearbox using Urethane mounts, sort out the gear change (with a T-button shifter kit), pedal assembly, plumb in the braking system and fit the KYB shocks.

Article 4 (Volksworld - January 2005)

We take a look at the design and build details of the Doon shell and bolt it to our newly refurbished chassis, sealing it against the elements and strengthening the mounting points. The bonnet is fitted, as is the under dash strengthening bar, which is used to securely bolt the steering column in place.

Article 5 (Volksworld - February 2005)

This month we detailed the fitment of modern steering column assembly (using a combination of Beetle steering box and different generations of VW Polo columns); this allowed us to use a Polo Mk4 steering wheel and switchgear. The Corbeau seats were also positioned and fitted, whilst we also showed how to modify the position of the filler on the standard Beetle fuel tank, to allow the neck to be neatly tucked away under the bonnet.

Article 6 (Volksworld - March 2005)

We modified the standard dashboard moulding to accept the Polo Mk4 steering column cowling and switchgear. The holes are cut for the standard Beetle speedometer, hazard and lighting switch gear. We also detailed the modification to the wiper motor and the fitment of the fuse board and relays, along with ‘twinky-winker’ front indicators and traditionally styled Buggy light units. 

This is the completed Doon Buggy, as given away as a cracking raffle prize, don't you wish you had been the lucky winner?