1965 Dune Buggy

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California native Bruce Meyers grew up loving the adventure and free living side of life. He spent lots of time surfing, playing music, and hanging with friends at the beaches. Bruce also had a love for automobiles, so naturally these two cultures led him to ‘Hot-Rodding’. In the early 1960’s, Bruce spent lots of time in and around dune buggy's on the beaches of Southern California.  He loved the function of these custom buggy's but was disappointed with peoples visual designs. At this time, Meyers was inspired to develop his own buggy. From his experience developing boats, he knew he would design an all fibreglass body which would give his buggy a simple, sleek, and cheerful look.

Bruce shortened the chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle by taking 14 inches out from the wheelbase and carried over the standard VW motor. After placing the engine at the rear of this shortened Beetle chassis, he dropped his fibreglass body on top and in July of 1964 the first Meyers Manx hit the beach. This buggy immediately gained traction among the community and Bruce opened a business to sell his kits to the public. Without realizing it at the moment, in the summer of 1964, Bruce Meyers changed the off road vehicle community for ever.

In 1967, the first ever Baja 1000 race took place. It was held by NORA (National Off-road Racing Association). The race was inspired by a record breaking run from the Manx through Mexico where the Manx had beaten all of the previous records set by off road motorcycles. Many people showed up to take place in the first Baja 1000 race with their off-road machines but it was a Meyers Manx which finished first with a time of 27 hours and 38 minutes. The Baja 1000 is arguably the largest off-road race in the modern era and it was inspired from Bruce Meyers and the Manx.

Enzo Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini, and Carroll Shelby are just a few of the most recognized names in the automotive enthusiast community. All of these icons are famous for inspiring others through their creations, and Bruce Meyers has been able to inspire a culture full of joy to many through the Manx.

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