Body kits are wildly common in the car modification world. The Pontiac Fiero is a popular base for custom kits because of its relatively cheap price, removable plastic body panels, and ease of maintenance. What blows the Fiero out of the water when it comes to body kits is the Volkswagen Beetle. Beetles have been converted to be anything and everything under the sun; it’s truly a worldwide phenomenon. Simple, ubiquitous, cheap, bubbly, and with a personality and following all to itself, the Volkswagen Beetle is unique in the culture it cultivates. The Meyers Manx is perhaps the most famous Beetle kit, and you can find this 1968 example of surfin’ USA here on eBay.
It features a fiberglass shell over a standard Beetle chassis, and beyond that, there’s nothing left to say about the car. By design, it doesn’t really have an interior. Meyers designed this as the original dune buggy, and dune buggies are open-air, so everything inside has to be up to braving the elements. Having said that, this example has even less of an interior than one in perfect condition. Not that you’d have much difficulty putting together a new interior; all you need is some seats and a speedometer. A new steering wheel would probably make life more comfortable for you, too. Parts are still plentiful for both the Meyers Manx and the Beetle, so that shouldn’t be any issue at all.
Under the shell, it features a standard Beetle chassis. The seller doesn’t include any images of the frame, but you can kind of see it in the above image. There are no glaring holes in the metal, so that’s a good sign. The Beetle was revolutionary in its simple design when it debuted, and a Beetle undercarriage is basically just the floorpan and some wheels. As seen in the image for the interior, the floorpan looks decent, if covered in a healthy coat of hay.
As far as engines go, you have a ton of options. The seller doesn’t include any up-close images of the engine or much information about it. They do say that it’s a relatively recent rebuild, but it hasn’t run in five years so it will likely need some love. This is a true barn find, so expect to at least change the oil. Luckily you don’t have to worry about a busted water pump with these air-cooled engines. All told, this is a good base for a project car. It’s simple, there doesn’t look to be anything detrimentally wrong with it, and it’ll be rewarding to drive and a unique vehicle to see out on the streets.
Not a Manx
Not even close. Already overpriced at $800
Auction ended early. I’d have bought at that price, real Manx or not. And Proctor, AR would have been a nice drive.
Either way, one car of the over 70 cars we have owned that we wish we’d bought. Fun on wheels but if not an original Manx no way on a huge price.
Does not look like my Cox 049.
Excuse my ignorance, but please explain how you know this is not a Meyers Manx.
God bless America
A real Manx used a shortened VW floor pan.
The real Manx had a smooth hood with only a place for an emblem on the nose. Meyers did build one for a full VW frame. It was called a Resorter but it had low cut sides for easy entrance. This is not a resorter.
Also has a nose bump – real-deal RMN @ 26.5 on BAT today
Never thought I’d see Pontiac Fiero and Meyers Manx mentioned in the same write up. Unnecessary filler. Is anybody making dune buggies based on the Fiero platform?
Wierd as it may seem, I actually had thought of that at one time. A Fiero became available to me for scrap price. My intention was to remove both sub frames and connect them together via tubular steel. Then put a fiberglass body with roll cage. I actually got to having it drawn out on paper with costs before my wife in all her wisdom, stopped that plan cold by having me check to see what laws would be required to license such a vehicle. After going to the registration and tax office and checking with my insurance agent I soon realized it wasn’t a practical project.
God bless America
“A real Manx used a shortened VW floor pan” … roger that
Thanks for all the information.
Heh, for those folks who think younger people don’t have an interest in these old cars, check out the winner of the great American race. Surprise! It’s two sisters 18 & 20 years old in a 32 Ford.
God bless America
I’d like more info than ‘shortened vw pan’.
We had one the guy left at the shop for a l o n g time. I just threw a cover over & left it outside. I tuned it up, test drive, recommendations for further service (not much) and mentioned Meyres Manx so he could asses its worth (dumn to leave it w/me if one) as his dad (passed away, inherited it frm estate) bought it in ’70s about the time this 40/50 y/o guy was born.
Ended: Jun 27, 2021 , 3:53PM
Starting bid:US $750.00
[ 0 bids ]
Item location:Proctor, Arkansas
It was ended early because it is no longer available.