R.I.P Bruce Meyers

3/12/26 - 2/19/21. Born in Los Angeles CA. Bruce Meyers, Surfer, Boat Builder, Navy Veteran. In 1964 at age 37 built the "Meyers Manx" dune bugggy. The Manx dune buggy became an emblem of 1960s CA. cool and help spur the development of offroad racing. In 1967, he and a friend drove 1000 miles thru Baja desert in record setting time. He built 7,000 of the buggies which were sold as kits for $985 each, that inspired more then 250,000 copycat cars.

 

It should be on the state flag.

 

Obviously a knockoff, but this goofy little bastard was both the best and worst week long rental I ever had. Great fun, would absolutely rip on the beach, but it also had cheap flashlights as headlights, and the gas tank had a massive leak. Every time I jumped on the brakes my flip flops got a new soaking.

 

My wife read me his obituary, so sad. Meyers was one of the Pioneers ( I would call him a plank holder) of the Baja 1000/500, not to mention dozens of desert races that have come and gone over the decades. In 1964, in his garage in Newport Beach, California, Meyers originally created a flowing fiberglass body to fit on an old Volkswagen floor pan. Using much of the stock VW drivetrain, suspension and other parts, that first car was eventually called a Meyers Manx.

Named “Old Red,” in mid-1967 Meyers and buddy Ted Mangels drove the car from La Paz to Tijuana in time five full hours faster than previous trans-Baja runs done on motorcycles. The feat not only garnered attention around the world, but also resulted in the formation of the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA), an entity that created and promoted the very first Mexican 1000 later that year.

Considered the first true professional desert race, the inaugural NORRA Mexican 1000 was won by Mangels and Vic Wilson in a factory-supported Meyers Manx.

The Manx is a So Cal beach icon and a significant contribution to automotive and motorsports history. Meyers was also a surfer, sailor, guitar/ukulele player, artist, engineer, and a founding father of the off-road lifestyle and industry. He really was part of that culture of people that developed a lot of cool stuff during the 60s and 70s. A time when there was more yes, and less no.

 

rip.
I remember the meyers manx kits in all the kit car magazines in the late 70s, early 80's.

 

Thank you for adding to the insite to Bruce Meyers life. He was a true Icon of the last fifty years and there much I left out about his life. He passed away at his families home in Valley Center CA. - about fourty five miles from where I live. I have always wanted a Manx buggy since my youth, now even more so.

 

A Manx is on my list too.
I really believe in honoring those who came before us as we literally stand on their shoulders. I really emphasize this with my students in hopes they won't lose sight of where we came from and how others paved the way for us. It doesn't matter if you are talking about cars, or wagon trains, someone had the dream, was willing to put in the hard work, and took the risk. Creator, trailblazer, or even screw-up, they all matter.

I know Meyers was upset about the rampant copies and his inability to stop it. I hope he was able to look back at his life, however, and have a sense of satisfaction at what he set in motion. There is small part with him in Dust to Glory which talks about his contributions. I really like that Dana Brown included him and other pioneers in this.

 

RIP and thanks for all the awesome..