1968 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy #610

Freedom. That’s what California in the 1960s evokes for most people — sun, sand, surf and the unmistakable twang of Dick Dale’s Misirlou blasting from Marshall amps. And the car that perfectly captures that scene? The Dune Buggy.

The concept of the Dune Buggy was a product of the creative mind of the legendary Bruce Meyers — a WWII veteran, skilled engineer and dedicated surfer. In 1963, Bruce began crafting what would become the first fiberglass-bodied Dune Buggy, built atop a shortened Volkswagen Beetle chassis and running gear and by 1964, the legendary Meyers Manx was born. With its lightweight construction and off-road abilities, the Manx quickly became the ideal beach cruiser. It could glide across the sand without getting bogged down, perfect for surfers chasing the next wave.

Meyers gained much valuable publicity when in 1967, driving a Manx, he beat the motorcycle record for the Baja 1000 in Mexico, one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world. Less than a week after setting the Baja record, a Meyers Manx featured on the cover of the April 1967 edition of Car and Driver and almost overnight, the company received around 350 orders. Another significant milestone in the firm's history arrived in 1968 when Hollywood superstar, Steve McQueen, commissioned a custom Meyers Manx, modified to his own design, for use in the movie The Thomas Crown Affair. His spirited drive on the beach with Faye Dunaway on board is one of the movie's many unforgettable scenes.

Only about 6,000 original Mk1 Manx buggies were produced and despite Meyers' copyright, the design's popularity led to a wave of replicas and imitations. Still, Bruce remained deeply involved in the Dune Buggy community until his passing in 2021.

The Manx we’re offering here started life as a 1968 VW Beetle and was imported from Florida to the UK in 2019. Gone is the original Beetle body and in its place is a genuine fiberglass tub, finished in an eyecatching shade of Metallic Tangerine that perfectly suits its character. At the front, you’ll find chrome pod-style headlamps, a central fuel filler cap reminiscent of classic 911s and a reinforced 'bull bar' that not only adds rugged style, but also protects the iconic Meyers Manx badge nestling behind it. The wheels are staggered, wider at the rear for better traction and wrapped in tough General Grabber all-terrain tires, ready for whatever lies ahead.

The 1,742cc Volkswagen four-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed gearbox is air-cooled and is in an exposed position at the rear which naturally aids cooling and looks the part with polished valve covers and a striking coated exhaust system. The interior stays true to Bruce’s minimalist vision; black seats with seat belts, a wood-rimmed EMPI steering wheel and a body-coloured dash housing five matching white-faced gauges. A machined gear lever (shifter) with a solid ball knob is mounted on the transmission tunnel, adding a tactile, mechanical charm.

Perhaps most importantly, this Manx is officially recognized by the Meyers Manx Registry, complete with a Certificate of Authenticity (#610) signed by Bruce and Winnie Meyers themselves.

As with most aspects of the Volkswagen scene, there is a significant amount of speculation and debate relating to models. There will always be the originals and the imitators and there will always be some models which are more sought after than others, however in the Dune Buggy world, one name reigns supreme - the Meyers Manx.