Abstract: The sand rail/dune buggy includes a roll-cage frame, a four-wheel independent suspension system, and a compact, rear-mounted drive chain system. The roll-cage frame is supplied with a quick-release, spring-loaded slam hatch to permit easy ingress and egress. The slam hatch carries a steering wheel which is part of a rack-and-pinion steering system for the vehicle. Each of the wheels is independently and adjustably suspended, thereby contributing to both the ride stability of the vehicle and the ability thereof to accommodate various use conditions. The drive system includes (in a generally top to bottom fashion) an engine, an input drive shaft with an associated reverser mechanism, and an output drive shaft. The output drive shaft features an output differential and separate swing-arm drives and disk brakes for each of the rear wheels, allowing separate motion control of such wheels.