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The Franke Buggy 75, introduced at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show, was a unique take on the classic dune buggy concept. Unlike most open-top buggies of the time, it featured a fully enclosed body while still being based on the rear-engined Volkswagen Beetle platform. This made it a more practical option for year-round use, especially in colder climates.
Franke, a Swiss kit-car manufacturer, followed up the Buggy 75 with the Joker 76, a pickup-style version that debuted at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show. Both vehicles showcased the company's creativity in repurposing VW components into distinctive, offbeat designs.
Despite these innovations, Franke struggled to gain long-term success in the kit-car market. The company eventually went out of business in 1983, making its creations rare and largely forgotten today. However, the Franke Buggy 75 remains an interesting footnote in the history of European kit cars, offering a quirky alternative to more conventional dune buggies.
