Does anyone know if such a thing exists? I quite like the retro look of the old Beetle-based beach buggies, but I wouldn't fancy an old Beetle chassis to use or to drive...

My thought is that there are plenty of companies out there doing beach buggy shells, so what about a bespoke chassis to put one onto. An FWD tranverse engine could be used like in other middies or even in FWD layout - I know buggies have a fairly sloping front bonnet, but I should have thought a small transverse engine might fit - Ford Ka maybe? It could possibly be engineered to use the whole front part - engine, steering rack, suspension, etc.? You would have some challenges to get air to the rad (maybe a low-down air intake, ductinig to the rad and vents under the front wheel arch area?)

What does anyone reckon?
Rescued attachment fwd BEACH BUGGY.jpg

nissan Micra .

when i get my nexy one , its getting cut up into a summer ish type car .

The sidewinder is available with a full spaceframe chassis.

http://www.manxbuggies.co.uk/

I'm sure I've read about middy beachbuggies (though you'll sacrifice the back seat) but only some horrible mini based buggies from the 70's were FWD.

This might be worth a look at.

http://www.blitzworld.co.uk/content.php?categoryId=143

There are a few options, but I don't think I'd go for the A series.

I notice that
Manxbuggies
suggested by IanK above do Bucket seat shells for £35 - that might be quite good value for a locost

Rorty did a mid engined VW Bettle chassis for a Baja Bug

http://www.rorty-design.com/content/beetle.htm
Rescued attachment Beetle_chassis02.jpeg

at newark last year i spotted a bec powered buggy, engine in the back and chain diff.

I think it's a very interesting project, and like it the idea a lot........someone tried with Fiesta Fwd mechanicals

http://www.stimsondesigns.com/index2.php?link=buggypics

Have you had a look at the freestyle fun buggy. Theres some video clips of it on a site called www.muddybuggies.co.uk

They look good fun even with the A series engine. I think they are re-jigging the back end to fit the 1.4 twin cam k series engine at the moment.

OK got the web site wrong it should be www.muddybuggies.com.