1971 Minkur (Iceland) - AllCarIndex

The Minkur is a unique Icelandic-built dune buggy created by Stefan Ingoltsson and Steinn Sigurthsson, designed to handle Iceland's extreme and rugged terrain. Although it resembles an American dune buggy, Minkur was engineered to overcome the challenges posed by the country's lava fields, volcanic dust, boiling mud, and harsh weather conditions like snow and rain.

At the heart of Minkur is a 1968 VW 1600 engine, enclosed and dustproofed with aircraft stripping to protect it from the fine, abrasive lava dust. The buggy’s air intake system pulls clean air from the vehicle's slipstream and filters it through a fine wire mesh, ensuring the engine runs smoothly in difficult environments.

The vehicle's name, Minkur, meaning "to shorten" in Icelandic, comes from the fact that its frame was shortened by 14 inches (36mm). It features an 80-inch wheelbase and uses a standard transmission, clutch, and shocks. The bodywork is a standout feature, constructed from aluminum and Plexiglas, rather than the more common fiberglass, making it unconventional yet lighter. Weighing just 550 kg—300 kg lighter than a VW with a similar engine—it boasts impressive acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in just 13 seconds.

Minkur comfortably seats four and includes a tinted roof, a radio, and an enhanced VW heater for added comfort. Despite its rugged design, the buggy is equally at home on Iceland’s streets as it is on the country's unforgiving landscapes, with a top speed of just under 87 mph. This innovative creation was a true labor of love, born from a simple repair project and evolved into a remarkable vehicle that stands out among traditional dune buggies.