The Wild Buggers: Our Story & The Road Ahead

A Legacy Since 1995

The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club isn’t just a group of car owners—we are a Cape Town institution with over 30 years of history. My journey started back in 1990 with a R3,500 buggy and a passion for these iconic cars. After a custom build in 1994, I realized there was no home for local enthusiasts, so in 1995, I started the club myself.

Anton's custom-built 1600 VW air-cooled Beamish Beach Buggy, named Pink Floyd, built in 1993.
The one that started it all: “Pink Floyd,” the 1600 VW Beamish I built back in ’93. This car was a huge part of the inspiration for starting The Wild Buggers.

The Wild Buggers is the beach buggy club Cape Town which enthusiasts call home. Our story started back in 1990. We began with just 3 or 4 members, but we kept the engines running with breakfast runs and beach braais. By 1998, we hit a turning point. Along with Ronnie Metz, we called an emergency meeting to decide the future of the club. The members showed up in full force, and that’s when The Wild Buggers truly found its gear. We launched our club Colours, started a newsletter, and built the foundation for the family we are today.

What We Are About Today

Today, we’ve grown to over 70 members. Our mission remains the same: a laid-back, family-friendly vibe where the journey is the goal. We host one official run on the second Sunday of every month, plus unofficial “in-betweener” runs.

  • We Do: Breakfast runs, weekend camps, charity events (for people and animals), and adventure runs.
  • We Don’t: Do pub runs or competitive racing.
Members of The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club enjoying a sundowner on Paarlberg before heading back to camp in their beach buggies and classic VWs.
Okay, President’s orders: one final, mandatory five minutes of spectacular view and epic chat before we fire up the buggies and head back! This is the look of a crew that knows how to make every second count. From the custom water-cooled motors to the old-school air-cooled classics, this entire weekend was pure gold. Thanks for the views, Paarlberg! The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club will be back!

Air-Cooled, Water-Cooled, All Welcome

While our roots are in the VW air-cooled scene, we know that what matters is the drive, not just the cooling system. My own buggy currently runs a Nissan water-cooled motor, so whether you’re running a classic flat-four or a modern conversion, you have a place in our convoy.

Our members are “weekend warriors” who help each other out during “spanner-time” in the garage, sharing technical advice to keep every buggy—regardless of the motor—on the road.

Anton's green Kango beach buggy with a 1400 Nissan water-cooled motor.
The President’s ride: My green Kango running a 1400 Nissan water-cooled motor. Proof that if it’s got four wheels and a buggy body, it’s welcome here!

How to Join the Family

After 30 years, we’ve become the beach buggy club Cape Town enthusiasts turn to for honest advice and great ‘gees’. We don’t just sell memberships; we build a family. Newcomers are invited to join us for 2 or 3 of our monthly runs first. It’s the best way for you to see if our vibe fits you, and for us to welcome you properly before you officially “earn your Colours.”

Check our Next Event Page and come be a part of the history we’re still writing!

Anton Kleyn President & Founder

Come be a part of the history we’re still writing at the most active beach buggy club Cape Town has to offer!

See you on the road! – The Wild Buggers Team

ANTON KLEYN