Classic Meyers Manx dune buggy reborn with new DIY kit
In a sea of fiberglass kit cars that were merely imitations, the Meyers Manx beach buggy was an innovation. Now, a new evolution of the iconic Bruce Meyers design allows fans of the beautiful ’60s runabout to build their own version, complete with a few notable updates by renowned designer Freeman Thomas.
The Meyers Manx is easily the most recognizable dune buggy ever designed, and it spawned an entire industry of VW Beetle–based clones. By stripping away the Beetle’s body and shortening the stamped chassis pan, Bruce Meyers created a nimble, lightweight vehicle that made excellent use of the Beetle’s modestly powerful engine.
Choosing the Beetle as the donor meant that there was a huge stockpile of available vehicles to use. (VW would eventually build over 15,000,000 of them.) The choice also gave performance-hungry Manx customers a huge selection of compatible, aftermarket speed parts.
An all-new Meyers Manx Remastered Kit uses modern technology to make a fiberglass body that is more precise than the original’s and includes a couple of updates for easier assembly. The dash panel is removable, simplifying the process of wiring, and features integrated tubes to house the harness. An all-new, locking trunk provides a tidy compartment for secure storage.
“It is a privilege to work on the Manx dune buggy, which is such an iconic piece of California cultural history,” Freeman Thomas says. “The goal of the Remastered program was to preserve [founder] Bruce Meyers’ unmistakable design while incorporating modern touches that make full assembly accessible to more people.”
The company is currently taking deposits for the Remastered kit, which costs $5995. Slap down a 50 percent deposit, or just under $3000, and you’ll receive the body, dashboard, and trim required to make the most basic version of the buggy. It includes your choice of 18 solid gel-coat colors, with 46 metallic colors as a $1000 option. You will still have to supply your own VW Beetle for the chassis, suspension, steering, lights, and drivetrain; but there are so many reproduction parts available, it’s likely you could complete the kit with entirely new parts.
This kit will hopefully enable a new generation of enthusiasts to build their dream dune buggy, but for those seeking a turn-key option, the battery-powered Meyers Manx 2.0 is expected to go on sale this year as well.
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Cool about manx
I’ll take a green one like in the picture 😁
Me too!!
There is a company, Doyle Motor Works, that is creating a modern take on the VW Bug / Beatle floor pan that utilizes modern VW GTI hardware. Will be interesting to see what comes of the platform and what gets built off of it once it is completed. Doyle Motor Works is related to the company that created the DF Goblin kit car so they do have a history of delivering. https://www.doylemw.com/
WHY?
These old buggies are so much fun. My father had one when I was in high school, fun on the road and even more so in the sand.
I don’t know if Hagerty will provide insurance coverage for buggies in the US but here in Canada guys are encountering problems getting policies issued unless they already have a policy with the automobile insurance company. I have had policies with one company for over 40 years for daily drivers. When I asked about coverage for VW based replica I was refused which is how I ended up with Hagerty
I have a pristine buggy ( going into Auction)& insured with Hagerty 10+ years.. very affordable &n-o problems.
I’ll take one, but with a 140 hp 4 carb Corvair engine.
The Manx is an interesting vehicle. I want to see it with a turbo Subaru motor.
Ooooh, if I were only 20 years younger, I’d be on this like a duck on a June bug!
What happened to the electric version that was in the news last year?
https://meyersmanx.com/pages/manx-2-0-ev
Honestly I’m not sure about this. The original Manx were hand sculpted by Bruce Meyer, they had a soul. Meyers hothead company have stopped offering this imperfect version for something perfectly symmetrical generated on a computer. Also look at the price tag, the originals were a build by everyone car – in the UK we can buy buggy shells for £1000, £1300 in metal flake. There is a big business mindset been added and the soul or a fun little car lost.
I used to own one, if love to have another. one !