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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 14, 2003

DRIVE TIME
VW enthusiasts all revved up to make 'dune buggies' legal

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Todd Matsumoto just wants to be street legal.

Matsumoto says he and about two dozen other O'ahu residents who own converted Volkswagen "dune buggies" are caught in a legal limbo that keeps them from fully enjoying their rides.

State officials say the cars do not qualify as autos under either reconstruction or special vehicle rules, but they are working to make the rules more friendly and hope to produce some changes by early next year.

The VW enthusiasts have been trying for years to find some way to make the cars legal. The Legislature this year passed a bill that would include dune buggy replicas under the special interest vehicle law, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Linda Lingle, who cited safety concerns, especially for young people.

Todd Matsumoto of Kalihi and about 24 other O'ahu residents want rules in place that will make their customized Volkswagens street legal. Daughter Taylor hangs out with Dad.

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"We don't want to throw up obstacles, but we want to make sure that every car that's on the road meets all the safety standards," said Alexander Kaonohi, head of the state Transportation Department's Motor Vehicle office. He said many custom cars don't have roll bars or other standard safety equipment.

The cars are a far cry from what Lingle and others might imagine when they think of dune buggies, Matsumoto said. Instead of the lightweight pipe-bar cars meant to cruise the beach, the VW dune buggies are expensive, custom-crafted vehicles built for show.

"They're really a customized Volkswagen and there are more than 25,000 of them on the road across the country," Matsumoto said. "They're collectibles. No way young people can afford them." The cars are based on the pioneering work of designer Bruce Meyers and are part of a nationwide Manx Dune Buggy Club.

To qualify under Hawai'i's reconstructed vehicle law, the cars need to be certified as safe by a licensed automobile engineer. The only problem is that there aren't any such engineers in Hawai'i, said Matsumoto, a sushi chef who wants to start a business customizing cars for others.

Kaonohi said even qualified engineers might be reluctant to approve the vehicles under the current law because of liability and insurance fears.

Matsumoto said the cars also should be considered legal under a special vehicle law, which allows registration of cars if they resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949.

Many of the VW cars do indeed look very much like the original German Schwimmwagen built from 1942 to 1945, but state officials say the Hawai'i cars would have to be amphibious like the original to qualify.

"Yes, they look similar, but they are not even close," Kaonohi said. "The engineering for an amphibious vehicle is completely different."

Despite the prohibitions, many of the vehicle owners take their cars on the road, participating in parades, auto shows and fund-raising events, Matsumoto said. Police know the vehicle owners and tend to not ticket them, he said.

Even so, group members put a high priority on finding a way to make their cars legal.

"I like to work on the car with my son and take him out for a ride, but I can't really do it in peace," he said. "You don't want him thinking you're a criminal when the police stop you for what you're driving."

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.