In 1956 former US Air Force pilot James Kellison began offering fiberglass sports car bodies out of his shop in Lincoln, California, joining a host of “kit car” builders like Byers, Glasspar, and Devin. His eponymous Kellison Engineering started with attractive coupe and roadster body styles before segueing into an astounding array of sports, racing, and show cars.

Shortly after the debut of the successful Meyers Manx in the mid-1960s, Kellison attempted to tap into the dune buggy sensation with his own version, the Sandpiper SP-1. Given the model’s rear-engine architecture, Sandpipers were generally built on Volkswagen chassis with horizontally opposed VW engines, and according to Kellison sales literature, the company went on to become the “largest manufacturer of dune buggy bodies in the world.”

This uniquely specified and beautifully finished Sandpiper can be regarded as a high-performance iteration of the model, considering that it is equipped with a Porsche 912 engine with an enlarged displacement of 1.8 liters. Moreover, it was built by noted Porsche restorer Tim Goodrich—a man more closely associated with top-quality, authentic restorations of the 356.

As one might expect, Goodrich’s touch is apparent throughout the build. The Kellison is tastefully appointed with additional Stuttgart-aligned details to complete the theme, such as VDO instruments, Fuchs wheels with Porsche center-caps, Speedster seats upholstered in black leatherette, and a Porsche badge on the nose. An Audiovox CD/cassette player allows the driver to crank up his favorite surf-rock or off-roading soundtrack, completing the ideal portrait of a performance-oriented dune buggy.

Attractively finished in a custom red-orange shade that calls to mind Porsche’s vintage Signal Red paint over a black interior, this Sandpiper would make a unique acquisition for any Kellison connoisseur, dune buggy enthusiast, or collector of Porsche-based specials, ideal for both off-roading pleasure and local show presentation. It is made all the more special, and desirable, thanks to the influence of Tim Goodrich, who brought his own unique vision—and characteristically high quality of workmanship—to an already irresistible open-air beach cruiser.