The Meyers Manx name will be familiar to any fan of 1960s and 1970s car culture as the originator of the beach buggy. Now, the classic shape is set to make a return, but instead of a flat-four VW engine, the Manx 2.0 will be an EV.
The Meyers Manx was created in 1964 by Bruce Meyers as a go-anywhere dune buggy dedicated to adventure and fun. The design, based on a chopped down VW floorpan, proved a hit and had no shortage of competition success either, breaking speed and time records on the legendary Baja 1000 off road race.
Venture capitalist Phillip Sarofim acquired the brand from the late Bruce Meyers and wife Winnie in 2020 through his firm Trousdale Ventures. He appointed vehicle designer Freeman Thomas to serve as the company’s CEO and to design the Manx 2.0 Electric. Bruce Meyers passed away in 2021, but his legacy lives on through the revitalized brand.
“The Meyers Manx has always been a symbol of joy, simplicity and purity. It’s the solution to the complexity of life,” said Sarofim, chairman, Meyers Manx. “Continuing the legacy of the Meyers Manx connects us with the optimism of the 1960s California culture, an optimism we all can share.”
Meyers Manx says it is partnering with a USA-based manufacturing entity to bring the Manx 2.0 Electric into production in 2023, with final assembly taking place in California. The Meyers Manx Beta program will deliver the first 50 cars to select customers in 2023.
Power will be provided by a choice of two battery packs, 20kWh and 40kWh, giving up to 300 miles range, while propulsion will be from a pair of rear-mounted electric motors of undisclosed origin. Impressively, the weight will range from 680kg-750kg depending on pack choice.