GTX - General Information

What you are looking at is the exciting future of fiberglass- bodied Dune Buggies!

The NEW Berrien Buggy GTX, a Dune Buggy that uses a modern drivetrain and has an automatic transmission. The GTX uses a 2006 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt as the doner vehicle. The cost for building a GTX is right in line, with the option of a traditional classic VW drivetrain. I am not going to say that one option is better than the other, but I do see the advantages of each. So rather than a comparison I will just write the facts about the GTX & let you decide for yourself. Let me add that I currently have a Dune Buggy with a VW 1914cc Motor, with a Manual 4 speed VW Transmission, and I plan to start a GTX in early January of 2021.

What I am going to do is give you a list of parts and a few options that you will need in order to build a GTX and let you know where that specific item comes from. Meaning from the Donor Vehicle or from another source.

You will need a Donor Car, a 2006 through a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt or a Chevrolet HHR within the same year models. The average cost for a donor car varies from about $750.00 to $2500., some can reach much higher if the car is in excellent shape with very low miles. The GTX will only accept a donor vehicle with an automatic transmission. Within the 2006 – 2010 model years the EcoTec was offered in a 2.4L, and a 2.2L. Of the two the 2.4L is more desirable because the available aftermarket parts are more readily available. Amongst the Available model years the hp rating started at 148hp, however you are able to build a EcoTec with a reliable 300hp to 400hp. In a vehicle that has a curb weight of less than 2000lbs with two passengers, it makes for a very spirited ride. All of that wrapped in a mid-engine car that makes people of all ages happy. To say that a GTX is fun is a huge understatement.

Body – The Berrien Buggy Nostalgia, as well as Berrien Buggy Lancer bodies will easily fit on a GTX Chassis. There is also a Berrien Buggy Genesis version that is just around the corner, that is the long version but we are not 100% clear on the actual price. While the GTX chassis is designed to use one of the Berrien Buggy bodies, it is likely that you will be able to use any body with the same wheelbase. That is, as long as you are willing to do a little creative cutting into the fiberglass body. The GTX is a mid Motor vehicle, and the motor and transmission is housed where the rear deck area of the body normally is.

The Berrien Buggy, Nostalgia GTX as well as the Berrien Buggy Lancer GTX bodies are supplied with

Body cut to fit the GTX Chassis
Hood fitted and mounted
Tonneau/engine cover & hinges. (With or without dual headrests.)
Sectional Firewall
Bubble or Flat Sidepods are optional. (Bubble sidepods are not available for the Lancer GTX.)

The fully welded Berrien Buggy GTX Chassis is supplied with the following parts

Front Beam Clamps.
Shifter Mount Assembly, (to use a Chevy Cobalt Shift Unit).
Battery Box-Computer mount (mounts TCU & ECU).
Fuse block mounting plate. (For engine fuses)
Adapter block for mounting OEM vibration mount.
Radiator mount tabs (4).
Integral Rear Bumper.
All tabs welded onto frame for motor mounts (06 – 10 Chevy Cobalt).
All mounts welded onto frame to mount struts & lower control A arms.
Mounts to frame for tie rods to stabilize & adjust rear wheel toe in.
Adapter plates to restore proper camber to struts.
Tabs welded to Frame to mount OEM expansion tank.
Tabs welded to frame for rear body mounting.
Tabs for OEM Brake hoses.
2 tie rods (OEM Ends not included.
Fiberglass Floorpan with Shifter cover.

What you will use from the 2006 through 2010 Chevrolet Donor Vehicle.

Engine/Transmission unit with mounts.
Radiator with electric fan.
Exhaust pipe section including 02 sensor bung
Engine wiring harness assembly including the ECU (Computer for Engine) & TCU (Computer for Transmission), including wire harness to shift assembly.
Throttle pedal assembly including wires and plug.
Shifter Assembly including shift cable.
Anti vibration mount, (in driver side wheel well).
Left and Right strut assembles including hubs, “A” arms & Brakes.
Both Drive Axle Assemblies.
Tie Rod ends at wheels.
Wheels If you desire. (I will use them to have a rolling chassis during the build process. But odds are good that I will buy aftermarket wheels to achieve a specific look.)

What you will need that is not supplied by the Donor Vehicle.

VW Type-1 Front beam (You can choose between a Balljoint or a Linkpin front beam before the Chassis is built for you). *
VW Type-1 Steering Box (or you can get a little more fancy with a rack and pinion system)*
VW Type-1 tie rods, shocks & steering stabilizer.*
VW Type-1 Fuel Tank (68-74) Modified*
VW Type-1 Front Disc Brake kit. (Blank rotors so that you can choose the bolt pattern & open up the wheel options).*
VW Type-1 “big bore” dual circuit master cylinder with reservoir
VW Type-1 pedal assembly. With clutch pedal removed.
High pressure electric fuel pump fittings, -6 lines, filter/pressure regulator. *
Berrien Buggy Windshield & mounting kit. *
Rebel wiring harness for body wiring.*
Steering column with adapters.*
Steering column support kit.*
Headlight assemblies.
Taillights & turn signals.
Gauges (VW Based or Cobalt Based).
Horn
Miscellaneous switches.*
Seats & Seat Mounts*
Seat Belts.
Show bar roll hoop or 4 Point Showcase *
Fuel fill assembly (Adapter if you choose a Lancer GTX body) *

Parts that have a * at the end are parts that 109 Dune Buggies has to offer.

Wheels and Tires

This is often as difficult a choice as the color of your Dune Buggy. Most of the early Chevy Cobalts had 4 lug wheels, but later on HHRs and Cobalts had 5 lug wheels. 109 Dune Buggies can supply what is known as blank brake rotors so that you can choose the bolt pattern you want to use. What this does is open the possibilities to the style of wheels and gives you another opportunity to make your GTX look just how you want it. Opening up the choices also gives you the opportunity to save money by choosing a commonly used bolt pattern. Its all up to you!

This list is as complete as we can make it, there will be items that you will need or want that are not seen amongst this list. That is because when you build a Dune Buggy, it is an extension of your personality. A huge part of what makes each so beautiful.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I will do the very best I can to answer correctly, but if I can’t. I will do everything in my power to get the correct answer for you.

Thank you for your time,

Faron

109 Dune Buggies

Faron@109DuneBuggies.com

GTX Chassis - Part #C058-BB352 -$3985.00

Nostalgia GTX - Fiberglass Body

Part Numbers:

Standard solid colors - C058-BB307GTX - $2870.00
Metalflake colors - C058-BB308GTX - $3527.00

Lancer GTX - Fiberglass Body

Standard solid colors - C058-BB311GTX - $3000.00
Metalflake colors C058-BB312GTX - $3810.00

This is a GTX in the paint booth that is ready for paint, the fiberglass pan that is included when purchasing a GTX is not installed at this point.

This is a GTX in the with the Chevrolet Cobalt Automatic gear shifter installed.

As wes mentioned before the GTX is a Mid-Engine vehicle and is designed for either the Berrien Buggy, Nostalgia, or the Berrien Buggy Lancer body. However if you already have a 80 inch fiberglass body and want to use it, the odds are good that you can retrofit it with a little creativity.