This custom rail was owned and operated by my wife's uncle, Nick Horn. Nick built this car from the ground up late in 1974 and work was completed in May 1975. The project started with a 101 in. wheelbase Chenowth frame, Nick made a deal with Lyn to build the frame bare no with no brackets or mounts to make it more affordable. Nick worked for Larry and Don at Unique Metal Products for 5 years after they started the business in 1974 at the old shop behind the Off Road Warehouse in El Cajon, CA. There could not have been a better opportunity to build a buggy and Nick is very grateful for their support. Everything on the buggy was custom made and polished by Nick. The engine was a .060 over Tri Ported Corvair with big valve 140 heads, cam, and a 500 cfm Holly carburetor. Back in those days it was pretty much the basic setup. Nick used Corvair rear suspension and a 4 speed transaxle with diff mods to keep it affordable. It was painted with two-part epoxy paint by a man named Dave Hankins in National City, CA. To the best of Nicks' memory, the total gig ran about $1600 and about two tons of labor. The rail was completed in time for the Annual San Diego Community Concourse car show downtown and took 1st place in its class. Nick and his wife Donna sacrificed the buggy for a house and sold it to the late Bill Muncie of Atlas Van Lines Hydroplane fame in 1977. Nick is currently in the planning process for building another buggy. This time however he is building a two seat, long travel, Twin-Turbo charged, mid engine Lexus rail. Wow! In the meantime, Nick is quite content with his new Yamaha Raptor . Old guy like that? It just don’t figure.

For more buggy photos check out Nicks gallery.

Also don't miss Nicks custom Raptor.

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