8/30/2023 0 Comments Meyers manx dune buggy kits![]() While some accessories and parts needed to build the Manx are currently available on the Meyers Manx website, Thomas says that his goal is to source and remanufacture rare, out-of-production parts for legacy Meyers Manxes. Thomas notes that he will also be developing a variety of simpler-to-assemble Manx kits that will still appeal to hardcore Manx fans. This is very near to Valley Center, where the Manx has been built for years. However, he tells us, the plan involves sharing his passion for building the classic Manx kits and related Manx products essentially as they have always been, especially during the ’60s and in support of the Manx Club.Ī 7500-square-foot R&D and operational facility, including a design studio which will be staffed by an international creative team, has been secured in Oceanside, California. When asked what plans he has for the company, Thomas comments that right now, it's too early to share. Photo courtesy Petersen Automotive Museum Phillip Sarofim becomes chairman, while Dave Lin will handle the financial side of things as CFO. Thomas, who started his design career at Porsche, had barely retired, but loved the Bruce Meyers legacy and the Manx so much that he decided to lead the purchase of the company. Thomas also co-created the original Irvine Cars and Coffee along with John Clinard, longtime West Coast Ford PR guru, kicking off the global C&C movement. Recently, he designed the new Ruf CTR and SCR. Even if you don’t know the name, you will know his work, which includes the Audi TT, the original VW New Beetle, the Chrysler 300 and the Tomahawk motorcycle. The name Freeman Thomas might ring a bell, as he is a well-known automotive designer. Automotive designer Freeman Thomas led the acquisition and was chosen as CEO and CCO to lead Meyers Manx and the future of the iconic brand. “He didn’t invent the dune buggy,” comedian and car collector Jay Leno explained on an episode of his show, Jay Leno’s Garage, “but he made it what it is today.” Bruce Meyers appears in person on the show and we learn that he was a surfer and World War II veteran whose work with fiberglass surfboards and sailboats led to the quality of his buggies: “I’m a quality guy,” Meyers says, without a hint of arrogance.Meyers Manx, Inc., maker of the original dune buggy, has been sold by Bruce and Winnie Meyers to Trousdale Ventures, an investment house led by Phillip Sarofim. Anyone with an average amount of mechanical skill could do the job in a few weekends, B. The exhaust had to go too, but the supplier parts helped create a proper flat-engine sound. These were better replaced by wide tires on fancy rims. Chassis, engine, transmission, seats, pedals, brakes, fuel tank, speedometer, steering, wiring – everything could be reused. ![]() The kit fit a Beetle floorpan shortened by 14¼” (365 mm) in its center. The Beetle was the ideal choice for the kit because the body is not difficult to remove from the chassis and it is easily disposed of. Otherwise, individual deviations from the instructions were not only tolerated but explicitly desired. He also specifically warned against trying it with a VW bus, Squareback, Karmann Ghia or Porsche. For $535, Meyers would send you a lightweight fiberglass bodyshell complete with hood, dashboard, headlights, lots of small parts and just seven pages of instructions. ![]() Because the first limited-run production swallowed up too much time and money, he created a do-it-yourself kit. Bruce Meyers, drawing on his experience in sailboat construction, crafted the original dune buggy in his home garage in 1963 using a shortened VW Beetle chassis to build on. But let’s go back to the beginning after all. ![]()
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