Born from the Southern California custom-car and beach-cruising culture of the 1960s, Fiberfab became one of the most influential manufacturers of fiberglass-bodied specialty cars and Volkswagen-based kits. Founded by Warren F. "Bud" Westmoreland in 1964, Fiberfab quickly established a reputation for producing innovative fiberglass bodies that could transform readily available Volkswagen chassis into lightweight, affordable, and highly entertaining recreational vehicles. The company offered a wide variety of designs, including sports cars, dune buggies, and off-road-oriented models, helping make the fiberglass kit-car movement accessible to enthusiasts across the country. Fiberfab's designs became particularly popular among Volkswagen enthusiasts because they combined simple mechanicals, lightweight construction, and endless opportunities for personalization.
The Clodhopper was among Fiberfab's distinctive contributions to the dune-buggy world, offering the classic open-air proportions and fiberglass construction that made these vehicles so popular. Today, surviving examples are appreciated for their nostalgic connection to the 1960s and '70s custom-car scene and for the simple fact that they remain enormously entertaining to drive. With their Volkswagen-based mechanicals, lightweight construction, and uncomplicated nature, a properly sorted dune buggy delivers an experience that modern automobiles simply cannot replicate.
This Fiberfab Clodhopper presents an especially colorful interpretation of the genre, finished in vibrant Green Metal Flake Metallic over a newly upholstered black diamond-stitch vinyl seat interior. The fiberglass body was repainted in late 2023, giving the car a fresh and period-appropriate appearance while retaining the unmistakable character of the Clodhopper design. Beneath the body is a clean, rust-free California Volkswagen chassis, providing an excellent foundation for this lightweight custom.
Power comes from a modified AH-code 1,600cc dual-port Volkswagen engine that has been overhauled and fitted with an Engle performance camshaft, dual Weber 44 IDF carburetors, electric fuel pump, Pertronix electronic ignition, and billet aluminum drive pulleys. The engine overhaul was completed in late 2023, and the Clodhopper has been driven only sparingly on fair-weather days since. The combination provides a lively personality perfectly suited to an open-air Volkswagen-based buggy.
Upon arrival at the St. Louis Car Museum, considerable attention was devoted to improving both the performance and usability of this Clodhopper. The Volkswagen transaxle was replaced with a newly rebuilt Rancho Performance unit, accompanied by refreshed axle tubes, side gears, fulcrum plates, shift coupler, and shortened clutch cable. Braking performance was substantially upgraded with an EMPI four-wheel disc brake conversion, dual-circuit master cylinder, and new reservoir. The exhaust system was also upgraded with a So-Cal Imports Tri-Mil Bobcat ceramic-coated and polished Quiet Pak system, providing a more refined exhaust note while complementing the modified engine.
Additional recent work included installation of a new fuel pump and sending unit, new fuel gauge and filter, and cleaning and etching of the fuel tank. The Weber carburetors were rebuilt, while new spark plugs, front inner and outer tie-rods, front KYB shocks, bump stops, and numerous other ancillary components were installed. The result is a Clodhopper that has received substantially more than cosmetic attention, with its major mechanical systems thoughtfully upgraded for enjoyable modern-day use.
The presentation is completed with 15-inch slotted mag wheels wearing BF Goodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter tires.
