| Meyers Manx | |
|---|---|
 Bruce Meyers in a genuine Meyers Manx. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bruce F. Meyers individually (prototype) B. F. Meyers & Co. (main production) Meyers Manx, Inc. (modern revival) |
| Production | 1964–65 (prototype, 12 built) 1965–1971 (main, ~6,000 built) 1999–present (limited) |
| Assembly | Newport Beach, California (prototype) Fountain Valley, California (main) Valley Center, California (revival) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Dune buggy Kit car |
| Body style | Open-wheeled |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.2L VW H4, 1.3L VW H4, 1.5L VW H4, 1.6L H4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual transaxle, 2-wheel drive |
| Battery | 40 kWh (BEV) |
The Meyers Manx dune buggy is a small, two-passenger, recreational kit car designed and marketed by California engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce F. Meyers[1] and manufactured by his Fountain Valley, California company, B. F. Meyers & Co. from 1964 to 1971.
The roofless, windowless, fenderless, high-hipped and high-tailed fiberglass body was designed to work with the mechanicals and chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle,[2]: 120 [3] exposing the engine and taking advantage of the Beetle's light weight, excellent rear-engine traction, easily removable bodywork and suitability to off- and on-road driving.
Drawing on his art background, Meyers would later say he combined the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen’s high fenders and short wheelbase, the Volkswagen Kubelwagen's stand-up headlamps and the chic, open simplicity of European beach cars — e.g., the Fiat 500 Jolly, Citroën Méhari, Renault Rodeo and BMC Mini Moke. [4]
The Manx immediately began dominating dune racing and breaking records and was eventually also released in on-road models. The original company would succumb to tax problems after Meyers's departure,[2]: 118–123 and was re-founded in 2000 as Meyers Manx, Inc., marketing new kits inspired by the original Manx.[3]
In 2024, Meyer's original Manx prototype was inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register, for its association with American historic events and figures, and its design and construction importance. Meyers himself died on February 19, 2021 at 94.[5]
The Manx nameplate and logo derived from the cat, sharing the cat's high-tailed, stubby profile.[2]: 118
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (6 March 2021). "Bruce Meyers, Who Built the First Fiberglass Dune Buggy, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Hale, James (2004). Dune Buggy Handbook. Veloce Pubg. pp. 118–123. ISBN 978-1904788218. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ a b "Meyers Manx History". MeyersManx.com. Self-published. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
- ^ Daniel Strohl (August 27, 2024). "Old Red, the first Meyers Manx dune buggy, to go on National Historic Vehicle Register". Hemmings.com.
- ^ RIP Bruce Meyers 1926–2021