SELL, SWAP & SHOW Another great event at the 32nd annual Michigan Buggy Builders VW and off-road swap meet and trade show I f you live in the midwestern states and you’re a VW or off-road enthusiast, then chances are you’ve heard of the Michigan Buggy Builders VW and off-road trade show and swap meet. It’s been going strong for 32 years and it has developed a positive reputation as being a fun event that’s definitely worth attending, especially if you’re building a car or looking for good deals on new and used parts. The event is traditionally held during the month of March, and this past year it happened on March 10th (the 2014 event is scheduled for March 23), and it’s held at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing, Michigan. Last year, there were about 4,000 enthusiasts in attendance with 165 different vendors that occupied nearly 300 booth spaces. The “Buggy Builders” event is more than just a swap meet. There are show cars on display, new parts vendors representing all types of vehicles, and even free attractions for everyone to enjoy like this R/C track, above. Buggy in Larry’s Off Road booth, left, was very well done. This fiberglass dune buggy, above, was for sale in the ACME Auto booth, and that’s Mark Byer’s 2012 Arctic Cat, right, custom built by STM Performance. 16 www.SAND SPORTS.net We shot a few photos to give you an idea of what happens at this fast-paced one-day event. Highlights included a car show, radio controlled truck races sponsored by B&L Sand Toys that spectators could operate for free, and a complimentary opportunity drawing where you could win great prizes just by entering your name. The car show winners included Matt Weasel’s Best of Show white Tatum prerunner, Best Paint going to Tom Young’s Suspension Unlimited car, Best Engine for the twin turbo V-8 in Albert Bancroft’s Tatum Aero, and Mark Byer’s fully modified 2012 Arctic Cat drag machine with that won Best Engineered. In all, there were 13 vehicles entered in the car show, some of which were also on display in the different exhibitor’s booths such as Appletree Automotive, Whitehill’s Buggy Shop and Larry’s OffRoad. The Buggy Builders event draws a diverse crowd of people looking for all sorts of products for a variety of different vehicles. For this reason, you’ll see everything from new and used parts for VWs including bolt-on accessories, refurbished front ends and engines, as well used parts of all types. We also spotted kits cars for sale, fiberglass buggies that were old and ready for a restoration, as well as new Berrien Buggy kits from ACME Car Company. There were also wheels, tires, transmissions, fabrication tools and several swappers who brought truck and car parts from their garage at home. Depend909-262-9344 ing on what you need, chances are that you’ll find it at the show. As mentioned, the 33rd annual event is scheduled for March 23, 2014 and you can learn more about attending as a spectator or www.bencoracing.com signing up for a booth by visiting the website at <www.buggybuilders.com>. In closing, the promoters of the event would like to thank several businesses who supported 1inchBenco.indd 1 8/21/13 the show with products and services that were given away during the free opportunity drawing. This includes Yamaha Motor Corporation, Pit Bull R/C tires, Schley Products SP Tools, Barnum’s Bug Barn, Khaotix Ironworks, B&L Sand Toys, Don’s Sport Vehicles, Whitehill’s Buggy Shop, The Good Volks, Jim’s Custom VW’s, Larry’s Off Road Center, Michigan Sport Buggy, LeDuc Racing Components, Performance Prototypes, Midwest Coatings, Bugs & Buggies, Mears Metal Products, MOFOCO, Drew’s Off Road, Appletree Automotive, US 131 Motorsports Park, Jim’s Buggy Parts and Hot VWs magazine. If you’re looking for a fun time and some great deals, you’re sure to find both at the Buggy Builders show in Lansing — it’s the Midwest’s largest VW and off-road swap meet. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 8:46 AM 17