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Dune Buggy Project: 1969 Meyers Manx Tow’d

From 1964 to 1971, Californian Bruce Meyers and his company produced a variety of on- and off-road vehicles for recreational use. More commonly known as “dune buggies,” Meyers’ most well-known version was the Manx which could be licensed for roadway use. On the other hand, there was the Tow’d (sometimes called The Toad) which was built to be towed to and from the beach for its outings. This 1969 Tow’d was a running buggy with a VW engine, but it’s no longer operational and will need work and reassembly. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this Meyers project is available here on craigslist for $4,200 OBO. Another interesting find from Pat L.!

Bruce Meyers was an engineer, artist, boat builder, surfer, and – for a time – a manufacturer of desert racing machines. His company, B.F. Meyers & Co., based in Fountain Valley, California, built car kits that would be used with shortened Volkswagen Beetle chassis and drivetrains. The Manx and others dominated dune racing in those days. The company experienced financial difficulties and closed after seven years, only the be resurrected for a time in 2000. Meyers passed away in 2021 at 94 years of age.

We’re told the seller’s buggy was street legal although not originally designed that way. It was running when he disassembled it in 2017. Apparently, he was going to restore it but fell ill and hasn’t been able to get back to it. The photos depict an assembled vehicle, so perhaps they date back five years. This Tow’d is powered by a 1,776-cc VW Bug air-cooled 4-cylinder engine. There is no information as to how many Tow’ds were built, but likely far fewer in numbers than the Manx. This could be a fun project as the key to these machines was their simplicity.

Comments

  1. Avatar Rw

    Very cool.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Malcolm Boyes

    I would love this although I never heard that Tow’ds were not street legal.I have seen them with fenders etc licensed for the street like this one. This would be so much fun..get rid of that horrible tow bar..get it running and enjoy on sunny days..wish I had the romm for it..

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Art Pauly

    I bought one of the first ones back in the late 60’s. The part of the VW chassis used had the VIN so, at least in CA., they were street legal and registered as a VW. I wonder why the tow bar? The name “Tow’d” came from the built in tow bar (actually a tube) that ran up inside the center chassis tube. You would remove one bolt and slide the tow tube out. Bolt it back and lift the tow bar onto the car hitch. The front wheels would be maybe a foot off the ground. Very simple to tow. I wonder if this one’s frame has been modified.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Chuck Marsh

      I have a unassembled but complete with body, frame, all fenders, Side Pods, Engine Cover, New Engine, Transaxle, New suspension, Fiber Jet Sand Hopper. Only things I am missing is gas tank and Windshield. Tim Figure who owned Fiber Jet built this special for me. It is the last one before he closed his doors. He was going to help assemble it with me but health issues got in the way and he passed away so I just never did it. After all these years I am going to do it for my granddaughter. It is all 56 Chevy turquois green. Am going to trim in Ivory. Thanks

      Like 0
      • Avatar Larry Simpson

        Is your sandhopper for sale ?

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Howie

    Posted 3 days ago, so is it on Ebay now?

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Fran Carpenter

    No Toad as yet, but there is a Meyer’s Manx with a buy it now of $16,800!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Frank D Member

    Drive one of these or a Lotus 7 and you soon find out how the vertically challenged people feel. I drove a Lotus Caterham at a restoration shop one morning on a coffee run in small coastal town south of Boston. It was enough for me. The Lotus power to weight was amazing. Scary fast!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Yeah, seller says he got so many better offers that he decided to post it on EBay instead. I searched and can’t find it.

    What I did find was an Orange Cox Dune Buggy. Remember these?
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/394042403877?hash=item5bbec1ec25:g:pdQAAOSwOPFiYzyF

    Like 0
    • Avatar Howie

      Yes i had a orange one myself, do you see what they ask for a new one never been opened or out of the box?

      Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Yeah, there’s one up there now $250 in not very great shape but with box.

        A couple of the Choppers that are in pretty good shape for $700.

        We should have never played with our toys.

        Like 0

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