Well, that’s a good question! Is it buggies or buggys? The correct plural of “buggy” is “buggies” and, as we like to do things properly at Rangers Safari Tours, that’s how we spell it. So, what’s the story behind these wonderful little off-road vehicles? How did they come about? Let’s a take a closer look at their history.
Back in the early 20th century, Adolphe Kégresse, a French military engineer, developed what is today considered the very first off-road vehicle, using a combination of rear caterpillar tracks and regular front wheels and tires. His clever invention provided the off-road capability of a tank and the handling of a car.
As tyre technologies developed over the years, there was no longer a need for them to be equipped with tracks and the famous Jeep used during the Second World War became the first real example of the off-road vehicles that we know and love today in all their different guises.
At the end of the war, there was a massive surplus of military off-road vehicles that ultimately found their way into civilian life and hence a growing trend was started, resulting in them being used for a huge variety of different applications, both as utility vehicles and for hobby purposes.
The famous Jeep used during the Second World War became the forerunner of the off-road vehicles that we know and love today in all of their different guises.
During the late 1950s, the actual original concept of the buggy was born in California, and it was Bruce Meyers, a boat builder by trade, who firmly put his famous dune buggy on the map, using the very popular VW Beetle car frame and chassis as the basis for his Meyer Manx designs.
Today, there’s an enormous variety of different buggy manufacturers and types. All the buggies that we use during our tours are the popular GS Moon 260cc model, fully loaded with all the upgrades. They feature an automatic transmission which makes them very simple to drive and a differential shaft that allows curves to be taken much easier.
Why not come and try them out? We offer a variety of different buggy tours that let you explore some of the most incredible landscapes in Mijas and along the Costa del Sol. All tours are available all year round and can be easily booked by getting in touch with us.
It’s a really fun nature trip and safari all rolled into one!
