When combined with the means to make it happen, nostalgia and off-road vehicles can make for some extremely well-done and beautiful results. Such was the case of this Funco buggy we saw at the recent Lucas Oil Off Road Expo. Belonging to Norman Francis, the buggy was on display as part of the KC HiLiTES outdoor booth.

From its striking orange-yellow color scheme to its well-matched Method wheels and General tires, the vehicle instantly grabbed our attention and never let go. We caught up with Francis after the show to get his background and how the buggy came to be.

Francis, a veteran racer from the early days of the 1960s and 1970s, told us how he “was lucky enough to drive my first race in 1977 in the Mexicali 250. I drove a Class 7 Datsun Pickup. I then drove 5-1600, 2-1600, and Class 2 cars until I stopped in 1991.” Francis was brought back to the off-road racing realm after talking to a friend recently, which got him interested in reliving the good ole days once more.

“I started looking for a vintage-style chassis,” said Francis. “I always liked the Funco SS2 chassis as I feel it is one of the most iconic designs in off-road racing.” Sure enough, he made it happen. The frame is a 100-inch wrapped bronze high cage. Bilstein shocks (two in front, six in rear) control the bumps and bruises in the desert. The rear suspension has 3×3 chromoly trailing arms controlled by TCI 300mm torsion bars.

The Bob Giese-built motor makes over 150 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, plenty for this tube-frame, lightweight buggy.

For the powertrain, Francis went with a Bob Giese-built 2180 Type 1 boxer motor making over 150 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Fitted to it is an 002 VW transaxle with a 5.38:1 gear ratio built by Benco in Riverside, California. “The seat, belts, and window nets are all PRP,” Francis explained. “I had to have some of those classic KC Daylighters too to make it look retro, but rest assured, they’re powered by LEDs, not halogen bulbs.”

The buggy is raced by brothers Mario and Pete Aleesi, and they’re proud to do it on the behalf of Francis. Also proud to help are the sponsors, including General Tire, Viejas Casino and Resort, VP Racing Fuels, and more.

We tip our hats to Francis and his team. They’ve recreated what is undoubtedly one of the coolest styles of off-road racing vehicles to ever exist, let alone any of the vehicles we saw at the Expo.