Peter Toome's '67 Country Buggy
Hallo fellow volkalicous readers - the time has come for yet another ride to share with our readers and this time we have gone for something a bit different being Peter Toome's groovy Country Buggy.
I have to admit that many years ago when I saw my first country buggy, I was horrified that someone could produce something akin to a trailer with a motor. Boy could I have not been more misinformed. They have come to grow on me so much that for me they have simply turned into the utilitarian sparkling diamond.
I was very excited to get an opportunity to see what these cars were like It was time to meet at the ton of Glen Osmond Road for a drive to Woodside for a photo shoot.
Upon sitting in the passenger seat, first impressions are no doors, obviously, but it is quite easy jumping in and out, even for a beginner. The very thick reinforced side panels give a great sense of security.
The first thing that hits you is the amazing visibility through the front windscreen, much broader and wider than our beetle counterparts - even putting Karmann Ghias to shame. I love the fact that you can be in this car and have an open air experience by looking out to the left or right and not have your view obstructed or hindered by those annoying doors - sensational, and yet you feel tight and secure.
Looking out over the cockpit is that wonderful straight militarian nose that screams cute and not boxy in any sense. A bit like a jeep but not giving you the Willy experience or the authoritarian one either. If you look hard enough you may even see the front indicators twinking. There is also a very good rear view as well, notwithstanding the sun graze on the window. Much larger than a Hebmueller to say the least (although I have never driven one - hint, hint).
Another fantastic feature of this car is the fact that that wonderful flat four motor burbles around you in 3D experience due to the openness of the vehicle (especially through the hills tunnel - yay what fun), but is certainly not annoying in any way. Peter has actually had to manufacture from several exhausts, his own CB units as they probably aren't that readily available. If you stand behind this car - it tweets baby.
This vehicle was previously owned by Paul Kennedy and apparently was used for off road racing. Peter has owned this car for 3 years and was hopeful of having the restoration finished for the first RatEx to join Guy Sierp in his Country Buggy (brave soul), but unfortunately it wasn't ready in time.
Peter has done a fantastic job of restoring this vehicle. On the rust front there were issues with the front nose, outriggers, apparently the lower left hand side was a bit titanic, and the jacking points certainly in need of attention. Thankfully lan Poynter of Unique Fabrications was able to produce a number of replacement panels, yes they look like pressed metal, but not that easy to reproduce
The car sat in primer for a while, after the restoration work, before Peter was able to finally spray the car in Magnificent Savanna Beige. Sorry the colour is called Savanna Beige - it just looks magnificent. Four coats of Savanna, one coat of 50/50 Savanna and clear and finally another 3 or 4 coats of clear. Wow. Interesting to note that 90% of CBs were painted in Savanna with the rest in either green or red.
I have to admit that many years ago when I saw my first country buggy, I was horrified that someone could produce something akin to a trailer with a motor. Boy could I have not been more misinformed. They have come to grow on me so much that for me they have simply turned into the utilitarian sparkling diamond.
I was very excited to get an opportunity to see what these cars were like It was time to meet at the ton of Glen Osmond Road for a drive to Woodside for a photo shoot.
Upon sitting in the passenger seat, first impressions are no doors, obviously, but it is quite easy jumping in and out, even for a beginner. The very thick reinforced side panels give a great sense of security.
The first thing that hits you is the amazing visibility through the front windscreen, much broader and wider than our beetle counterparts - even putting Karmann Ghias to shame. I love the fact that you can be in this car and have an open air experience by looking out to the left or right and not have your view obstructed or hindered by those annoying doors - sensational, and yet you feel tight and secure.
Looking out over the cockpit is that wonderful straight militarian nose that screams cute and not boxy in any sense. A bit like a jeep but not giving you the Willy experience or the authoritarian one either. If you look hard enough you may even see the front indicators twinking. There is also a very good rear view as well, notwithstanding the sun graze on the window. Much larger than a Hebmueller to say the least (although I have never driven one - hint, hint).
Another fantastic feature of this car is the fact that that wonderful flat four motor burbles around you in 3D experience due to the openness of the vehicle (especially through the hills tunnel - yay what fun), but is certainly not annoying in any way. Peter has actually had to manufacture from several exhausts, his own CB units as they probably aren't that readily available. If you stand behind this car - it tweets baby.
This vehicle was previously owned by Paul Kennedy and apparently was used for off road racing. Peter has owned this car for 3 years and was hopeful of having the restoration finished for the first RatEx to join Guy Sierp in his Country Buggy (brave soul), but unfortunately it wasn't ready in time.
Peter has done a fantastic job of restoring this vehicle. On the rust front there were issues with the front nose, outriggers, apparently the lower left hand side was a bit titanic, and the jacking points certainly in need of attention. Thankfully lan Poynter of Unique Fabrications was able to produce a number of replacement panels, yes they look like pressed metal, but not that easy to reproduce
The car sat in primer for a while, after the restoration work, before Peter was able to finally spray the car in Magnificent Savanna Beige. Sorry the colour is called Savanna Beige - it just looks magnificent. Four coats of Savanna, one coat of 50/50 Savanna and clear and finally another 3 or 4 coats of clear. Wow. Interesting to note that 90% of CBs were painted in Savanna with the rest in either green or red.
He has custom fitted rubber floor mats, hand cut to size, which really look the part and one interesting factor - he found another CB blank instrument housing, filled in the holes, added a hinge and wallah - a left hand side lockable glove compartment, clever and practical. The right housing accommodates a beetle speedo complete with fuel gauge, temperature, knobs, etc.
Having grown up in the country on a farm, I can't help but wonder why these cars didn't take off more than they did.
Would have a been a perfect farm vehicle, top down, bails of hay in the back, front windscreen down for wabbit and wedneck hunting - go figure. Would have given the original ute a run for it's money and much more fun to boot.
Having grown up in the country on a farm, I can't help but wonder why these cars didn't take off more than they did.
Would have a been a perfect farm vehicle, top down, bails of hay in the back, front windscreen down for wabbit and wedneck hunting - go figure. Would have given the original ute a run for it's money and much more fun to boot.
Another fantastic feature of this car is the fact that that wonderful flat four motor burbles around you in 3D experience due to the openness of the vehicle (especially through the hills tunnel - yay what fun), but is certainly not annoying in any way. Peter has actually had to manufacture from several exhausts, his own CB units as they probably aren't that readily available. If you stand behind this car - it tweets baby.
This vehicle was previously owned by Paul Kennedy and apparently was used for off road racing. Peter has owned this car for 3 years and was hopeful of having the restoration finished for the first RatEx to join Guy Sierp in his Country Buggy (brave soul), but unfortunately it wasn't ready in time.
Peter has done a fantastic job of restoring this vehicle. On the rust front there were issues with the front nose, outriggers, apparently the lower left hand side was a bit titanic, and the jacking points certainly in need of attention. Thankfully lan Poynter of Unique Fabrications was able to produce a number of replacement panels, yes they look like pressed metal, but not that easy to reproduce
The car sat in primer for a while, after the restoration work, before Peter was able to finally spray the car in Magnificent Savanna Beige. Sorry the colour is called Savanna Beige - it just looks magnificent. Four coats of Savanna, one coat of 50/50 Savanna and clear and finally another 3 or 4 coats of clear. Wow. Interesting to note that 90% of CBs were painted in Savanna with the rest in either green or red.
He has custom fitted rubber floor mats, hand cut to size, which really look the part and one interesting factor - he found another CB blank instrument housing, filled in the holes, added a hinge and wallah - a left hand side lockable glove compartment, clever and practical. The right housing accommodates a beetle speedo complete with fuel gauge, temperature, knobs, etc.
The car features a 1500 motor, 1500 gearbox, kombi rear IRS (again no swing axle), original kombi beam with adjusters, large kombi CV joints on outside with beetle on the inside.
Even the department of motor vehicles had no idea what it was when it was time to register the car and they had to do computer research and verify the identity plate before granting registration - a testament to how rare these cars are nowadays.
Interestingly enough a company called Spectrum Rubber in Sydney reproduces alot of CB rubber, which has been quite
helpful for Peter in the restoration.
This vehicle was previously owned by Paul Kennedy and apparently was used for off road racing. Peter has owned this car for 3 years and was hopeful of having the restoration finished for the first RatEx to join Guy Sierp in his Country Buggy (brave soul), but unfortunately it wasn't ready in time.
Peter has done a fantastic job of restoring this vehicle. On the rust front there were issues with the front nose, outriggers, apparently the lower left hand side was a bit titanic, and the jacking points certainly in need of attention. Thankfully lan Poynter of Unique Fabrications was able to produce a number of replacement panels, yes they look like pressed metal, but not that easy to reproduce
The car sat in primer for a while, after the restoration work, before Peter was able to finally spray the car in Magnificent Savanna Beige. Sorry the colour is called Savanna Beige - it just looks magnificent. Four coats of Savanna, one coat of 50/50 Savanna and clear and finally another 3 or 4 coats of clear. Wow. Interesting to note that 90% of CBs were painted in Savanna with the rest in either green or red.
He has custom fitted rubber floor mats, hand cut to size, which really look the part and one interesting factor - he found another CB blank instrument housing, filled in the holes, added a hinge and wallah - a left hand side lockable glove compartment, clever and practical. The right housing accommodates a beetle speedo complete with fuel gauge, temperature, knobs, etc.
The car features a 1500 motor, 1500 gearbox, kombi rear IRS (again no swing axle), original kombi beam with adjusters, large kombi CV joints on outside with beetle on the inside.
Even the department of motor vehicles had no idea what it was when it was time to register the car and they had to do computer research and verify the identity plate before granting registration - a testament to how rare these cars are nowadays.
Interestingly enough a company called Spectrum Rubber in Sydney reproduces alot of CB rubber, which has been quite
helpful for Peter in the restoration.
Apparently in the day there was a semi trailer loaded with about 6 - 8 Country Buggies, all headed for stations up North.
I wonder how many are still there. These cars have a fairly good survival rate as allot of them went to the outback.
There were over 800 made for the Australian market, with about another 500 or so in kit form for export to countries like the Philippines. have it on reasonable authority that there are about 500 or so left which is fantastic.
There was a mining company in Indonesia that had six sent up, much lighter and easier than working with 4WDs, much narrower. and if they got stuck - they simply lifted them up and out of the bog.
Also these cars were equipped with power take off - so that if the mood took you - you could drill, saw, spray and blow - another functional features for the farmers.
Anyway - finally in the hills, and Peter graciously handed over the keys, and it was time for a drive. Simply fantastic - so much fun, so unique and simply just loved it. No rattles, shakes - very tight indeed and probably less rattles than the Ghia and the handling is great. These are wide as well like a Ghia - not a wider floor pan but the side protection sills are mounted kind of outside the floor pan which gives you extra width. Peter has also moved the seats slightly outwards, which stops that familiar shoulder to shoulder closeness, albeit to the extent of the steering going slightly to the left for the driver - not a big deal and well worth it.
I wonder how many are still there. These cars have a fairly good survival rate as allot of them went to the outback.
There were over 800 made for the Australian market, with about another 500 or so in kit form for export to countries like the Philippines. have it on reasonable authority that there are about 500 or so left which is fantastic.
There was a mining company in Indonesia that had six sent up, much lighter and easier than working with 4WDs, much narrower. and if they got stuck - they simply lifted them up and out of the bog.
Also these cars were equipped with power take off - so that if the mood took you - you could drill, saw, spray and blow - another functional features for the farmers.
Anyway - finally in the hills, and Peter graciously handed over the keys, and it was time for a drive. Simply fantastic - so much fun, so unique and simply just loved it. No rattles, shakes - very tight indeed and probably less rattles than the Ghia and the handling is great. These are wide as well like a Ghia - not a wider floor pan but the side protection sills are mounted kind of outside the floor pan which gives you extra width. Peter has also moved the seats slightly outwards, which stops that familiar shoulder to shoulder closeness, albeit to the extent of the steering going slightly to the left for the driver - not a big deal and well worth it.
It has great off road capabilities and was moving through the slippery paddocks, rocks and creek beds with allot of ease and comfortable to boot. Love the chunk rear tyres.
Word of warning - when taking photos of a car on a creek bed and your slightly damp, don't lean against the electric fence taking photos - what a shocker. Well it was an electrifying experience and my teeth are still chattering.
Word of warning - when taking photos of a car on a creek bed and your slightly damp, don't lean against the electric fence taking photos - what a shocker. Well it was an electrifying experience and my teeth are still chattering.
When doing these articles, I always ask if there is anything that they don't like about their cars and naturally the response is always nothing, especially in this case.
Peter loves this car as it is a great way to experience vw convertible motoring at it's finest that doesn't break the bank (well). am told that one of the coolest and weirdest things to do is to drop the windscreen and drive around with the top down.
He fondly remembers driving back from Penneshaw from the last RatEx with the top down, twisting through the hills being engulfed by that amazing scenery at night with the stars. Sensational.
Peter would like to send a huge thank you to Moira for her patience, his son Andrew for inspiration, lan Poynter for the sheet metal work and to Paul Kennedy for parts and inspiration.
It was fantastic driving back on the freeway, with looks of bewilderment and fascination as to what the jeepers we were driving. This baby can sit on 100 or more with no dramas, but probably a allot faster with top down to avoid a possible paragliding incident.
Thanks so much to Eric and Gay for their hospitality and for allowing us to use their magnificent property for the photo shoot - the cake was fantastic too !!!
A huge thank you from me to Peter for sharing his car and for providing me with such a great experience and drive. Honestly, I was still laughing and grinning from ear to ear - half an hour after I had gotten home and put the Ghia in the driveway.
These cars are just pure fun and so unique - you have to love them.
George's Dad
Peter loves this car as it is a great way to experience vw convertible motoring at it's finest that doesn't break the bank (well). am told that one of the coolest and weirdest things to do is to drop the windscreen and drive around with the top down.
He fondly remembers driving back from Penneshaw from the last RatEx with the top down, twisting through the hills being engulfed by that amazing scenery at night with the stars. Sensational.
Peter would like to send a huge thank you to Moira for her patience, his son Andrew for inspiration, lan Poynter for the sheet metal work and to Paul Kennedy for parts and inspiration.
It was fantastic driving back on the freeway, with looks of bewilderment and fascination as to what the jeepers we were driving. This baby can sit on 100 or more with no dramas, but probably a allot faster with top down to avoid a possible paragliding incident.
Thanks so much to Eric and Gay for their hospitality and for allowing us to use their magnificent property for the photo shoot - the cake was fantastic too !!!
A huge thank you from me to Peter for sharing his car and for providing me with such a great experience and drive. Honestly, I was still laughing and grinning from ear to ear - half an hour after I had gotten home and put the Ghia in the driveway.
These cars are just pure fun and so unique - you have to love them.
George's Dad
