Meyers Manx
The Meyers Manx dune buggy was designed by Californian engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce Meyers. It was produced by his company between 1964 and 1971[1].
The car featured a fiberglass bodyshell coupled with the Volkswagen Beetle frame and engine. It is a small car, with a wheelbase 14 1/4 inches (36.2 cm) shorter than a Beetle for lightness and better maneuverability. For this reason, the car is capable of very quick acceleration and good off-road performance.
The Meyers Manx received widespread recognition when it won the inaugural Mexican 1000 race, the predecessor of the Baja 1000 beating motorcycles, cars and trucks in the process.
Manx-type cars have appeared in several movies, including Elvis Presley films and the 1968 The Thomas Crown Affair, which contains a lengthy beach-driving scene where a heavily modified Meyers Manx equipped with a Chevrolet Corvair flat-six engine is launched over several dunes.
Approximately 6,000 of the original Meyers Manx dune buggies were produced, but when the design became popular many copies (estimated at a quarter of a million worldwide) were made by other companies. Although already patented, Meyers lost in court to the copiers, the judge rescinding his patent as unpatentable opening the floodgates to the Industry Meyers started. Since then countless buggies continue to be produced today. Many people recognize this body-type simply as the "Dune Buggy" or "Beach Buggy".
In 2000 Bruce Meyers created a resurgence of interest by starting up Meyers Manx Inc. and offering the Classic Manx, signature series limited edition of 100.
In 2002 the Manxter 2+2 and Manxter DualSport were born. These two new models are true to the original design but are sized for a full-length Beetle floor pan. Custom versions for higher power engines and other variations are also available.[2].
In the Spring of 2009 Bruce Meyers introduced two new short wheelbase models of the car. Named the 'Kick Out' after the last action a surfer performs before reaching the shore it is available in two models so far. The more traditional of the two is an updated version of the original Manx concept brought up to date with a front hinged opening hood, wider fenders and better engine access. The SS version is much more modern with headlights flared into the hood, curved windshield, sculptured rear deck cover and twin roll hoops.
Gallery
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A UK built Meyers Manx buggy, shown here in April 2007. |
A Meyers Manx dune buggy, shown here at a VW car show in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. |
Meyers Manx |
References
External links
- Meyers Manx company
- Meyers Manx Four Wheeler TV Documentary
- the most complete Fiberglass Dune Buggy Website on the net
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Categories: Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States | Volkswagen vehicles | Vehicles with boxer engines | Kit car manufacturers | Classic post-war auto stubs
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