Paul Ripa
Jensen Beach, Florida

Hello,I'm sending these photos to see if my buggy is a real manx .It has the tubes under the body,the rear tub under the seat,but I could not find any I.D. tag,or a front hood hump.Anyway,A customer asked if I'd be interested in the buggy,and I told him "Not really",to which he said he was then going to have it hauled to the dump.I then told him"No don't do that-I'll check it out!" I ended up buying it for $100.00.

My father-in-law,Pete Watson saw it and went nuts over it,so we decided to fix it up. It came with a stock 1600cc dual-port motor which surprising ran real well for sitting almost 15 years. We got the roll cage kit from Fisher Buggies, and welded it in ourselves, and added brackets to tie-in the steering column, with a quick release hub on it. Pete machined the billet dash panel,and handled pretty much all the body work needed, then we had my buddie Frank paint it, and apply the flames.

Almost every part on it was something I had laying around the shop,so Our total cost was only around $2500.00. Our first time to a Vw event we stuck a 2110cc motor, and some slicks on it, only to find out how quickly you can destroy a stock tranny, which has been replaced since then. Just recently, Pete was diagnosed with prostate cancer and has been under going many chemo-treatments. The buggy has become his main source of enjoyment, and relaxation. Our original plan was to sell the buggy, but now it would break Pete's heart to do so. Once he overcomes his treatments, and feels well enough, we'll probably build another buggy. Thanks for giving us a place to show the buggy, Paul Ripa.