Bet you didn’t know that Orange County had a luxury car manufacturer.

No, not Mercedes Benz or Rolls Royce. 

Orange County Sandcar LLC  is the only local manufacturer of dune buggies that are legal to drive on public streets.

Dune buggies, which used to be inexpensive toys, retail for as much as $150,000. Orange County Sandcar’s models sell in the $30,000 to $60,000 range, said owner Sean Smith.

Here is the company’s Dual Sport Manx that sells for $48,000 as shown.

These sancars get about 25 miles per gallon, Smith said.

While the industry that depends on discretionary spending struggles with high gas prices and consumer belt tightening, Orange County Sandcar is booming, said Smith who is buying three companies and combining operations in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Here’s a YouTube video of Smith and his sandcars in action:

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Smith started making off-road vehicles in his garage 20 years ago. He worked for Toyota in Torrance for 10 years, which he credits for teaching him quality manufacturing techniques.

When the dune buggy industry moved upscale, Smith’s hobby became a full-time business.

Now Smith has doubled his company’s revenues, buying RMS Automotive, a vehicle repair shop,  and Classic Wrench, a classic car restoration service, in Rancho Santa Margarita. Smith is also in the process of buying SandCar Repair Ltd, to repair dune buggies for customers in Mexico.

The consolidated company is Orange County Sandcar Group.

Smith has moved fabrication from Vista and Carona, motor building from Anaheim and assembly from San Clemente into the Rancho Santa Margarita shop

The combined company will host a grand opening on Sunday, Aug. 10 at the shop at  at 23071 Antonio Pkwy, suite F.

“It grew much bigger than I anticipated,” said Smith, 40, who was born and raised in Orange County. “I raced motocross for about 12 years as an amateur. My true love is really modifying cars and trucks.”

The combined company has annual revenues of $800,000 — a far cry from General Motors’ $181 billion — but Smith doesn’t have GM’s labor and profit problems. He projects Orange County Sandcar Group’s sales will grow to $1.5 million next year and $3 million in three years.

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Posted in: Local companies • Mergers and Acquisitions • Top posts • dune buggies • Orange County Sandcar Automotive Group • sandcars |

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