Buggy cars have been around since the early 1700s, but they've changed significantly to meet modern standards.
Today, they have powerful engines, comfortable seats, and reliable suspension systems. While the outside is still basic, the sparse bodywork is the main characteristic of every buggy car. Check out these amazing types of baggies, from three-wheeled to concept buggies, and how they evolved.
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Bennett buggy car
Everything came to a screeching halt, including the booming automobile industry, as the Great Depression brought down the US stock market. Fuel shortages were common, and people did not have money to operate their cars. This, fortunately, gave birth to Bennett's buggy cars.
Its concept was straightforward, remove heavy engines, windshields, doors, and other heavier parts, you have a lightweight Bennette buggy. Since the vehicle was relatively light, a pair of horses was enough to get people around.
The buggy was crowned Bennett after Richard Bedford Bennett, a Canadian prime minister during the Great Depression era. In the USA, the Bennett buggy was called the Hoover wagon, named after the USA president Herbert Clark Hoover. The reason for these unusual naming was to intimidate leaders in citywide protests for failing to manage the economic crisis. The message was clear "you are as empty as an engineless car!"
Today, Bennett-style buggies are perfect for those who want to get around without having to worry about traffic. The buggy has a top speed of 25 miles per hour and can seat two or four people comfortably. Plus, they are equipped with the latest high-tech features, including off-road suspension systems. Want to go on a solo adventure in the wild? Bennett-style buggies are great.
Kite buggy car
There's something so freeing about buggy cars. They're small but still feel substantial enough to get you where you need to go. And, most importantly, they're just really fun to drive around.
A kite buggy is in the middle of a small and powerful car and out-of-this-planet inspirational design styles that feel substantial to get you above the ground like a kite with pride.
The buggy is a light, purpose-built vehicle with a single seat and kite engine. A traditional kite has three wheels attached to the flying kite that generate thrust. This means the buggy requires windy conditions to work.
Initially, it had three wheels, one is a front wheel and the other two are fixed rear wheels, but today, kite variants come in four wheels. The driver sits on the single seat, accelerates the car, and applies adrenaline-induced maneuvers known as kite buggying to mimic how a kite flies.
The baggy has a top speed of over 70 MPH. Thus, protective clothes such as helmets and gloves are required.
Exploring the latest kite buggies, Hyundai has one of the best. The Hyundai buggy is a futuristic, doorless electric machine. The company states that the roof was deliberately removed to give you a floating impression when riding on it. The innovative design was to conquer both roads and beaches. Just like a convertible, as the buggy hits the water, its propulsion mechanism can be used as a jet turbine.
Moon buggy
Only seen by a few, a moon buggy or Lunar Roving Vehicle is a special battery-powered rover used for Apollo 15, 16, and 17 programs. This all-terrain vehicle was designed for use on the moon, but it's equally at home on Earth. With its low center of gravity and four-wheel drive, the Lunar Roving Vehicle is capable of tackling any terrain and can operate in vacuum conditions with little force of gravity.
The original moon buggy was a four-wheeled rover built by Boeing and designed in the 60s.
The vehicle weighed approximately 460 pounds without payload. After being boarded by two astronauts and their equipment, its maximum allowed weight was 1080 pounds.
Out of the four ever-manufactured moon buggies, three were left on the moon, and one is being curated by the National Air and Space Museum. While it is impossible to own moon rovers, you can find one of these offroad toys for grown-ups on Alibaba.com. This online wholesale platform has hundreds of them from different manufacturers priced affordably.
Dune buggy
Whether you want to call it a dune buggy, sand rail, or beach buggy, this lightweight vehicle is ideal for many off-road excursions. The recreational car has wide wheels and large tires and can be bought directly from online wholesalers at a reduced price or modified from an existing car. The car must have wide tires to stay on the surface as you drive it on loose sand particles.
Bruce Meyers is one of the earliest pioneers of dune buggies, and most hail him as the further of these special cars. He distilled the importance of California car culture, and currently, this USA state is a fierce battle ground for off-road racers.
You can buy a modern or vintage dune buggy at a price ranging from as little as 2000 USD to over 10000 USD.
Swamp buggy
Seeing a swamp buggy is amazing. The vehicle is large with aircraft or tractor wheels, and as a purpose-built vehicle, it can traverse through boggy and swampy areas with ease. The large tires have a ground clearance of almost three feet.
Invented by Ed Frank in Florida, the swamp buggy's initial intention was to facilitate the reclamation and development of the Everglades. But after successfully completing its mission in the 40s and 50s, it inspired many designs. The huge vehicle is commonly used for hunting and swamp buggy racing which is being held annually in Naples, Florida.
Final thought
When it comes to buggy cars, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, these cars are designed for off-road use, so they'll be able to handle a variety of terrain. Second, they're usually built with durability in mind, so they can withstand a lot of wear and tear. And finally, they're usually pretty affordable, so you won't have to break the bank to get one. From the above types, find one that suits your needs.
