1956 Empi Sportster For Sale
In the early days of the VW powered dune buggies, there were
some successful small builders such as McKenzie with the "Chimp" and Thompson with the "Burro"
that got the craze going. EMPI however was the first to really mass market a metal body kit.
The EMPI "Sportster" was sold through Empi dealers in a short and long wheelbase kit
that used the VW chassis and drivetrain.
Of course when Bruce Meyer came out with the fiberglass buggy bodies, the game would change
and Empi also jumped on that band wagon with their Empi "Imp" kits, but for the Riverside based
company the Sportster kits sold well.
This San Diego based Sportster is based on a 1956 Beetle chassis and has
undergone a very nice and complete restoration in recent years.
It features its original black California license plates and is loaded with period correct details.
The engine out back has been upgraded to something a bit peppier
with 1915cc and dual carburetors, all rebuilt around 1200 miles ago.
The stock 1956 Beetle taillights were retained as well as the fuel tank that sits sideways in the back area.
Great color combo in orange with white seats.
(pardon the color variance in the photos...two different cameras were used and the difference is crazy)
Extremely rare Sportster nose badge!
The 1956 Beetle steering wheel was used as well as the seats and speedometer.
Nice accessory tachometer mounted to the steering column.
Wiring is all fresh, the speedometer is the 56 era clear needle version.
Very cleanly done even in the deep corners
Many of the Sportster bodies were simply welded to the floor pans of the donor car.
This one has very well crafted clean flanges that allow the body to be bolted to the chassis
just like the stock VW.
Clean!
Very solid floors and body
Battery compartment on the rear deck.
Chassis and suspension is cleanly finished.
No oil leaks or grunge build up.
Fenders bolt to the body as well, all clean fresh hardware.
New shocks, excellent tires. Stock drum brakes all the way around.
Ceramic coated exhaust, finned aluminum valve covers.
Nice and solid.
New shocks up front
Continental tires on the front that look just like original VW tires.
Very clean front beam, and from this angle you can see the casting of the rare early Empi two piece
5 spoke alloy wheels on the front of the Buggy.
Rear wheels are widened stock steel VW wheels.
Cooper Cobra radials on the back
A fun and funky machine for sure but this is a vehicle that is an important part
of the whole VW story as well as being a product of one of the largest and most innovative
VW parts companies of all time...Empi.
Worldwide the early Empi stuff is highly collected.
Street legal and ready for fun.
These are really a blast to drive.
Its not often you see an Empi Sportster this clean.
Also finding one that is done just the way they were built in-period is a special treat.
Asking
$15,500 obo
For More Info...CALL
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net